2 is our Magic Number

Every project is a journey, like stepping into their studio. You go up, you go down, you with light streaming in from the courtyard, then passing once more into the shadows. In a courtyard of old Milan, their home and studio span multiple floors in a former pot factory, with new spaces progressively added over time. Each step is a surprise, with drawings, models, and renderings scattered throughout, along with entire shelves of fabrics, woods, stones, marbles, colors, and shades. It is the realm of an alchemist: m2atelier, founded in 2011, the result of the fusion of two studios, two lives, two personalities, two visions—a research space where ingredients mix to shape new worlds. The magical formula that transforms metals into gold is always different, and yet their touch is unmistakable.

Marco Bonelli and Marijana Radovic work across every latitude of design, without barriers or boundaries, embracing each opportunity as a challenge—from architecture to interiors, from product design to retail, with a special inclination for yacht design. Amidst flights, business lunches, and site visits, they also managed to build a lively family with two children and a dog.

«m2atelier because we didn’t want to be tied to just the two of us; we wanted to grow a brand recognized as a service, combined with creativity. And we liked m2 (square meter) as it’s also the initial of our names, Marco and Marijana, and atelier describes who we are. We believe in presence; we like being together, touching materials, grabbing a sheet and sketching beyond what technology can offer. We’re hands-on, but we want our collaborators to feel a sense of belonging,» says Marco. «And then the work is always a team effort, like in an atelier», continues Marijana. «Our projects are complex; each of us adds an interesting layer, and it’s even wonderful when we have different opinions because it makes us question things, discuss, and in the end, arrive at a more thought-out, beautiful result». Without fanfare and with the understated elegance their clients appreciate, the fusion created a kind of gold that shines each day in a different light.

Marijana, with a degree in architecture from the University of Belgrade and a pioneering master’s in Yacht Design from the Politecnico di Milano in 2003—she was «the only foreigner»—brought all her experience to the studio, gained first at Lazzarini Pickering in Rome, then in Geneva and Athens, with the shipowner Latsis, until she founded her own firm to pursue her projects. «I chose this profession because I loved spaces, designing them well, and sailboats». Marco, with a degree in Architecture from Genoa and a master’s from Columbia University in New York, first worked in Paris as an industrial designer, then in Barcelona in Ricardo Bofill’s studio. He collaborated with Gaetano Pesce, Steven Holl, Michael Gabellini, and in 2000, founded his own studio specializing in projects for fashion brands. «When I decided to study architecture, my father told me: ‘It doesn’t seem like a reasonable choice.’ And that gave me the push to do well. I forged my own path; as a lawyer, he couldn’t protect me». And so, the connection was born—two strong wills united by the same passion and dedication for their work. «An architect needs to know how to do many things: there’s the creative side, the technical side, the managerial side, and the psychological side. Architecture constantly exposes you; you must be very curious and always willing to put yourself to the test. Marijana and I found each other, and I realized it when we met; we were both working, sometimes even together,» Marco continues. «And one of us would always push dinner time a bit further. Finally, I no longer felt guilty, even if I stayed up all night redrawing the same layout 70 times».

Their first project together was a yacht, Regina d’Italia, followed by numerous retail and residential projects, plenty of shared experiences, and a strong sense of complementarity. «It’s a strength—if I’m not there, she is» Marco says. This way, they can meet the needs of clients across the globe, in every time zone, designing boutiques for Dolce & Gabbana and Furla, René Caovilla and Drumohr, hotels like the Four Points by Sheraton in Mestre-Venice, and yachts for Codecasa, Vitters, Azimut, and Conrad, among others. But how do they handle such complexity, with its different scales, varied technical, aesthetic, and formal aspects? They have a few, but strong, guiding principles. A bespoke atelier, with a tailored approach that designs every detail for the client. Less is enough—remove, remove, remove, always; sustainable minimalism, with forms and materials made to last. «Contributing collectively to a common path is the most complex thing. Paradoxically, it’s harder to have a good team than a good client,» Marco continues. «We’re very proud that our clients return to us. In our field, people often want to change things up, and loyalty isn’t common. This shows we are very flexible; there’s no drop the pen at 6. If something isn’t right, we fix it. It’s a service that has to be competitive, involving the human element and the product itself».

One story sums it all up. When Marco was working with architect Michael Gabellini in New York, he spent two intense weeks developing a boutique’s design and presented a highly detailed set of drawings but didn’t properly label the material legend. «I almost got lynched, and I was devastated. Only later did I understand the lesson. Every detail matters, even the font you use. If you’re sloppy with a legend, it shows an attitude. In design, content and form are equally important». Generosity in every sense—sharing information, training those who work with you—is another key ingredient in the magic formula. Dedication to both product and people, so that every project is unique and one-of-a-kind, a fresh start every time. And as for yachts? «Everything was going well, but in 2008-2009, there was a rough patch; now we’re handling many projects», Marijana says. «We like to choose. Working on a product we enjoy and that represents us, with a client we like, is wonderful. Today, we collaborate with various shipyards, which is also a strength, because they’re located in different parts of the world, each with different methods, organization, and approaches. Our strength is not just in the final product, in the design. We are very proud of our technical management; the shipyards appreciate our drawings, the precision, the punctuality, the form. Every product has to be better than the last».

And while designing a yacht involves certain conventions, m2atelier still customizes each one for those who will live on it, ensuring every single space is tailored to match the owners’ lifestyle. In short, layout is everything. «People now spend much more time on boats; many live on them for months and entertain in a less formal way. This has changed the value of the spaces. We strive to ensure the entire boat is a seamless flow of experiences, without surprises», Marco adds. «Barefoot luxury», Marijana concludes, «No opulence».

They develop projects at an intense pace, like retail; others take longer, like yachts, or even longer, like residential projects, where clients have more freedom and often less planning. Among their latest projects is Core New York, an exclusive members-only club for which they designed the interiors and oversaw architectural planning—5,500 square meters of Italian style across four floors in a historic 1927 building at 711 Fifth Avenue. It includes restaurants, a speakeasy, wellness center, gym, terraces, bars, gallery, theater, 11 suites, and 8 meeting rooms. This project resulted from a beauty contest between notable names. «We were the outsiders, and in some way, that worked to our advantage, since Core’s signature is ultra-sophisticated understatement, and we weren’t at risk of overshadowing the brand», Marco explains. Two new clubs are on the way, in Milan and San Francisco.

And what do the m2atelier founders dream of doing when they’re not working? Marijana dreams of spending two months surfing in Australia and returning to flying an airplane—she even has a pilot’s license. «I can only do this—architecture. I’m incredibly boring», Marco concludes. And so, onward, ready for a new journey, inside or outside their atelier.