Signor Lievito by Hannes Peer brings the art of baking into a carefully composed space where terracotta tones and soft light create a dialogue between form and flavour.
Tucked into a small corner of Milan, the bakery unfolds more like a domestic interior than a commercial space — warm, tactile, and gently composed. Designed by architect Hannes Peer for baker and founder Natalija Nikitina, the interior draws inspiration from the textures of everyday life: the raw earthiness of terracotta tiles, the soft gleam of white plaster, the golden tones of freshly baked bread.
The space is compact, but nothing feels constrained. Every detail — from the custom furnishings to the integrated shelving — has been shaped to fit the architecture like a glove. Curved banquettes and portable seating invite pause, while loaves rest on floating displays like quiet sculptures. A series of abstract line drawings stretch across the walls, adding rhythm without noise.
Materiality defines the atmosphere. Clay tiles cover the floors and walls in a soft, reddish hue, echoing the hearth-like warmth of Natalija’s own home. The white plaster surfaces nod subtly to Californian modernism — a recurring influence in Peer's work — creating a sense of air and ease. The result is a gentle interplay between Nordic restraint, Mediterranean texture, and Milanese intimacy.
At its heart, Signor Lievito is a space built around a single, living ingredient: a 120-year-old mother yeast. It anchors the entire project — as a metaphor for time, care, and craft. Like the bread it offers, the space is simple, nourishing, and deeply considered.
