SAN
CategoryBar
Year2025
LocationMilan
Photo creditsAlessandro Saletta - DSL Studio
SAN is born in Porta Genova as a new local landmark. It carries on the legacy of the historic Supino pastry shop and opens up to the neighborhood with a renewed identity. Historical memory and contemporary design come together, preserving elements such as the red granite flooring and the original signs. Material and chromatic contrasts unfold in a compact yet welcoming space that connects with the neighborhood, where music, design, and social life merge into a single shared experience.
SAN was born with the intention to become a new reference point for the local scene: collecting the heritage of the historic pastry Supino, which for decades has been an iconic place for the neighborhood, SAN is a project of continuity and regeneration, where design tells the story of the past through a contemporary lens.
The original red granite floor has been preserved, as well as the “S” shaped brass handles, symbolic elements that keep alive the memory of the place. The historical signs have been recovered and reinterpreted: now stripped of their original appearance, they reveal the bare neon structure, striking a balance between nostalgia and modernity.
The heart of the space is a large wooden bar with stainless steel top, a sculptural presence that evokes the elegance of historic bars in Milan. Conceived as a functional capsule, this custom-made centerpiece houses all operational activities, becoming the focal point of both the visual and social experience. At its center sits a DJ booth with turntables. SAN fits in the local scene as a listening bar: an intimate and collected space where music, especially on vinyl, is not just background, but an integral part of the experience.
In contrast, the rough plaster walls dialogue with the refinement of the counter, while a large ceiling-mounted lightbox casts a warm glow inspired by sunset hues, shifting from orange to red. The ceiling is entirely painted in a deep reddish-brown, chromatically incorporating the installations kept on view.
The space, long and narrow, finds breathing thanks to a corner view with four large windows that put in constant dialogue inside and outside, emphasizing the transparency and openness of the place towards the neighborhood. The furniture maintains the same balance between materiality and rigor: stainless steel tables, concrete stools and wooden benches define the identity of the space with sobriety and warmth.
SAN is a welcoming and informal environment, combining refined design elements with an atmosphere designed for everyday life. SAN reflects a new way of experiencing social spaces, where culture, conviviality and openness towards the city coexist.
