Infill Heritage is the outcome of research that aims to bridge the timeless design sensibilities rooted in Milanese architectural tradition with emerging digital technologies. Developed by BBA Studio in collaboration with BBOfficina and an outstanding network of partners, the installation blends architecture, innovation, and lighting design to explore new possibilities of artistic expression—a conversation between the past and the future.
“This fusion of technology, architecture, and lighting offers an immersive experience for clients, partners, and visitors alike. It sets the stage for future projects that balance innovation with respect for architectural tradition,” say Barbara Ballabio and Andrea Burgio, co-founders of BBA Studio. With over twenty years of experience in luxury architecture and retail design, BBA Studio stands as a benchmark in international interior design, supported by a multidisciplinary team of more than thirty architects, designers, engineers, and 3D specialists.
BBA Studio’s Infill Heritage is a modular 3D printed installation that pays homage to Milan’s architectural heritage while embracing contemporary digital fabrication methods. Created alongside BBOfficina and a network of renowned collaborators, including 3D printing studio MakeAdditive and 3D printing hardware manufacturer BigRep (which has over 1,000 large-format 3D printers operating globally) the project is a forward-thinking experiment that integrates architecture, advanced technology, and lighting to craft a new aesthetic dialogue.
The installation reframes Portaluppi’s graphic motifs through modern digital tools, achieving new levels of material and sensory experimentation. Each module’s external surface features a distinctive texture born from additive manufacturing, interacting with light to produce a multidimensional and immersive visual impact. Traditional patterns take on a new materiality and fluidity within this modular system.
Installed within BBA Studio’s headquarters on Via Alessandro Stradella, Infill Heritage reshapes the perception of space while harmonizing with the historic elegance of the setting. Designed as an elliptical volume, the installation invites visitors to step inside and discover a carefully engineered interplay of structure and detail. A thoughtful lighting scheme transforms the environment, symbolically guiding guests through a passage from heritage to innovation.
Besides MakeAdditive and BigRep, the project was realized in partnership with several key industry players. iGuzzini contributed lighting design, Modar oversaw structural engineering and installation and Superforma facilitated post-installation material recycling. Together, they supported the shared goal of pushing the boundaries of sustainable design by exploring new avenues for reusing 3D printed materials.
