Sgura, who has shot advertising campaigns for Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana, bought the loft just over a decade ago after visiting a friend’s architecture studio in east Milan. The gritty street was lined with old industrial buildings that were being converted to television and photography studios, design showrooms, and residential lofts.

Sgura soon learned about a nearby loft for sale and made the move. The location near one of Milan’s three airports, Linate, was certainly convenient for this photographer on the go. “It’s outside the city, quiet and calm,” he says, “but it’s also very central. I can get to the Duomo in just 15 minutes.”

The stainless steel kitchen is by Antonio Citterio for Arclinea, the photograph is by Armin Linke, and the ceramics were purchased in southern Italy.

The dining table and bench are by Piet Hein Eek, and the chairs are by Mies van der Rohe; the light fixtures are by Piero Lissoni for Boffi, and the photographs leaning against the mirrored wall are by Bruce LaBruce, far left, and Steven Klein, right.

The upstairs living area holds a collection of luggage, including pieces by Bottega Veneta, Hermès, and Prada; the vintage table is Scandinavian, the chair is by Ico Parisi, the photograph is by Bruce Weber, and the floor is teak.

A wall in the master bedroom, paneled in palisander wood, is lined with photographs by David LaChapelle, Irving Penn, Steven Klein, and Melvin Sokolsky; the fur-covered chair is a limited-edition piece by Cappellini, and the chandeliers are of Murano glass.

The terrace’s benches and arbor were designed by Ilias Lefas, the plastic chair is by Gae Aulenti, and the ottomans are by IKEA.

In the first loft, the staircase is the dominating presence- deep black with hollow risers which almost creates an optical illusion from the ground floor. Alternatively, the other half of these Twin Lofts flaunts an elegant yet understated companion to the staircase in the first apartment, this one with crystal treads for a light and dematerialized look.

Everything from artwork to interior design ideas mimic and mirror each other from each side of the split home- including a set of paintings by Giovanni Manfredini that nearly act as negatives of one another. Each washroom, featuring a mega-sized round bathtub, creates a relaxing and welcoming environment: one being light and open, while the other is dark and almost mysterious with just one surprising sky light shining down from high above.

Both studios share the common ground of contemporary design while standing directly opposed to one another in terms of emotional expression.