wine bar in milan blends filipino heritage with a lived-in ambiance
Earthy-toned curtains drape over the storefront of Balay, a wine bar on lively Via Maiocchi in Milan, designed by architectural practice Studiomille. This bar, whose name means ‘home’ in several Filipino languages, acts as a cozy spot for the neighborhood, offering natural wines and small plates influenced by Mediterranean and Filipino cuisine that come together under owner Ray Ibarra’s vision.
The designers preserve many of the original elements of the space, including patterned tiled floors and distressed plaster walls that provide a textured base for their additions. Dark woods and warm textiles alongside raw metals and rough finishes reflect the richness of traditional Filipino interiors, evoking the heterogeneous urban environment of Manila.
all images by Delfino Sisto Legnani / DLS Studio
balay feels like stepping inside a neighbor’s home
Led by Daniele Demattè and Luca Cozzani, the team at Studiomille organizes the interior around a conceptual horizontal split that divides the height into two distinct visual zones, guiding movement and sight lines throughout Balay.
A shelving system that displays Ray’s personal collection of objects lines one of the walls, while at the center, a large multifunctional counter serves as a communal table, bar surface, and platform for events such as DJ sets. The curtain next to the bar’s entrance filters the city noise, inviting passersby to feel welcome as if stepping into a neighbor’s home. The pendant light hanging above the bar references the geometric patterns found in traditional capiz shell windows, using reclaimed lighting optics salvaged from old office fixtures framed in dark wood. Opposite the bar, slender walnut shelves are mounted on a metal track system, so they can be moved and adjusted, while the street-facing shelves expose their plasterboard structure, lit to show off the raw material that is usually hidden.
Outside, the long curtains appear as sculptural forms during the day, and at night they glow from the light inside. Preserved surfaces, varied materials, and flexible furnishings make Balay feel personal and shared, like a welcoming home that brings memories of the Philippines.
Balay means ‘home’ in several Filipino languages
a cozy spot for the neighborhood, offering natural wines and small plates
a shelving system displays the owner’s personal collection of objects
evoking the heterogeneous urban environment of Manila
Studiomille organizes the interior around a conceptual horizontal split
a large counter serves as a communal table, bar surface, and platform for events such as DJ sets
the pendant light hanging above the bar references the geometric patterns found in capiz shell windows
dividing the height into two distinct visual zones
the long curtains appear as sculptural forms during the day
plastic crates repurposed as outdoor seating
at night the curtains glow from the light inside
project info:
name: Balay | @__balay
architect: Studiomille | @millestudiomille
location: Via Maiocchi 26, Milan, Italy
owner: Ray Ibarra
creative direction: Oneplus + Emanuele Abbondanza
visual identity: Oneplus
uniform design: Ascend Beyond
technical support: Pareschi Studio
sound system: Marco Livietti
photographer: Delfino Sisto Legnani / DLS Studio
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