Milan news

Virgin Active opens at Milan’s sleek new Bocconi University by SANAA
by Frances Marcellin | 06 Jul 2022
Virgin Active and Myrtha Wellness have joined forces to open a health club and wellness centre at Milan’s new Bocconi University. The entire campus was designed by Pritzker-prize winning architects, SANAA, whose work includes the New Contemporary Art Museum in Manhattan, the Christian Dior building in Tokyo and La Samaritaine department store in Paris for LVMH. The fitness and wellness facilities are located on the first floor of the Bocconi

Architects chosen to design Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games village
by Tom Walker | 21 Apr 2021
A global team of architects has been chosen to design the masterplan for the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic village. The team, called Outcomist, includes Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Arup, Nigel Dunnett Studio, Carlo Ratti Associati, Gross Max, Portland Design, Systematica, Studio Zoppini, Aecom, LAND, Artelia and PLP Architecture. The project – called Parco Romana – will transform the vast Porta Romana railway yard area in Milan, creating a Athletes’ Village

Milan's San Siro has 'no cultural interest' and can be demolished
by Tom Walker | 27 May 2020
The historic San Siro football stadium in Milan could be demolished to make way for a brand new stadium, following a decision by Italian heritage authorities. According to the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage of Lombardy (SCHL), San Siro has "no cultural interest" and there is no heritage-based objection for it to be razed to the ground. The venue is the home for Milan's two Serie A giants – Internazionale and

Studio Apostoli designs Milanese wellness centre with a green onyx cave, gold features and mosaic details
by Megan Whitby | 21 Apr 2020
Italian architecture studio Studio Apostoli is designing a luxury wellness centre in a restored twentieth-century Milanese palazzo, scheduled to open in 2021. The three-layer 1,000sq m facility will part of a boutique-hotel complex at the five-star Palazzo Bernasconi hotel, a project developed and owned by Italian hotel group Cipriani, and shall be named ‘Palazzo del Sarto’. Architect Alberto Apostoli has been commissioned by the client to develop the interior design

Descending “theatre machine” transforms clothes store into mixology bar
by Stu Robarts | 10 Mar 2020
Visual Display have created a clothing store in Milan, Italy, that transforms into a bar at night with a lighting feature that descends from the ceiling to become a display case and counter. The space, which opened in January, is described as a "concept store with a fluid and unexpected identity" that combines a mixology bar, café and a clothing store. During the day, the store sells men's and women's

BIG's Andreas Klok Pedersen discusses the sweeping design of the Portico in CityLife Milan
by Stu Robarts | 26 Nov 2019
Earlier this month, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) unveiled their designs for the Portico – a 53,500sq m (577,000sq ft) development comprising two courtyard buildings joined by a 140m (459ft)-long hanging canopy. Designed by BIG's London office, headed by partner and design director of BIG London Andreas Klok Pedersen, the Portico sits on the last two plots of the CityLife mixed-use district in Milan. Describing the design to CLAD, Pederson said:

Milan stadium plans in doubt after city council's San Siro decision
by Tom Walker | 04 Nov 2019
Milan's famous footballing rivals – Internazionale Milano and AC Milan – will have to reconsider their joint plans for a new stadium. In September, the clubs announced that two teams of architects – Populous and Manica/Sportium – had been shortlisted to design a new 60,000-seat stadium at the San Siro that they would share. The proposals are based on demolishing the current venue and replacing it with an entirely new

Milan-Cortina's 2026 Olympic Games' to rely on existing infrastructure – masterplan features one new venue
by Tom Walker | 28 Jun 2019
Milan-Cortina, which has been selected to host the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games, has revealed the events will aim for a low carbon footprint, with the majority of facilities used being existing. Milan-Cortina's bid received 47 out of a total of 82 votes cast by IOC members, with rival bid Stockholm-Åre receiving 34 votes, with one abstention. The bids from Milan and Stockholm were the first to be produced

Carlo Ratti Associati win Re-inventing Cities competition with biophilic 'urban vineyard' which weaves around the building like a DNA Helix
by Andrew Manns | 31 May 2019
Carlo Ratti Associati have unveiled the first images of VITAE – their winning concept in the Re-Inventing Cities competition. The mixed-use building will have show-stopping biophilic elements, including a 200-metre 'urban vineyard' which weaves up through the building from the ground floor to the roof. The green pathway will be designed to reflect the double-helix structure of DNA to symbolise the "embrace between research and biophilia". The €40m (US$44.6m, £35.4m)

Italian Design Museum opens in Milan with expansion plans already in place
by Luke Cloherty | 25 Apr 2019
Some of the 1,600 objects previously exhibited in the Triennale di Milano have found a permanent home in Milan's newly-opened Italian Design Museum. The museum, which was made possible by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, opened on 9 April to coincide with Milano Design Week 2019. Sitting under the artistic direction of Joseph Grima, the museum is aiming to become "the leading international centre dedicated to Italian

Tom Dixon rolls out monastic-like restaurant and showroom in Milan
by Andrew Manns | 24 Apr 2019
English interior designer Tom Dixon has opened a 100-cover restaurant and bar in Milan called "The Manzoni". Likened by Dixon to a "monastic" space, the sleek eatery and showroom, which temporarily opened its doors for Milan Design Week (9-14 April) is darkly illuminated by the designer's trademark Opal ball lights and incorporates a variety of locally sourced materials, such as granite from Veronan quarries and recycled paper and cork. The

LAD and Hypnos Studio propose bowl-shaped urban escape for Milan
by Andrew Manns | 27 Mar 2019
Italian architecture firms Laboratorio Di Architettura e Design (LAD) and Hypnos Studio have proposed to create the "Sovraparco" – a bowl-shaped elevated garden on the Piazzale Loreto in Mian, Italy. The concave structure, which the proposers have likened to an inverted Panthéon, would house a miniature forest and be accessible through a basement-level stairway and ramp. Once inside, visitors would be unable to see the surrounding Milanese cityscape due to

Carlo Ratti Associati’s Milan university walls to be built by robots
by Luke Cloherty | 29 Aug 2018
The brickwork for a new university building in Milan will be arranged and assembled with the help of robots. The University of Milan’s new science campus, designed by Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA), will showcase images or symbols in a potentially reconfigurable 3D talking facade. CRA founding partner Carlo Ratti said: “Today massive open online courses, learning by making, continuous education and so on demand a fundamental rethinking of the architecture

Chef Carlo Cracco revives historic Milan mall as experimental space for food, architecture, design and art
by Megan Whitby | 26 Jun 2018
Italian chef Carlo Cracco has unveiled his newest culinary enterprise in Milan – the restoration of Italian architect Giuseppe Mengoni’s 19th century Galleria. The landmark building, previously known as ‘Milan’s Parlour’, is one of Europe's oldest active shopping malls, and its distinctive for its large glass dome. Now called "Cracco in Galleria", the chef has brought one of his branded restaurants to the site, and has also introduced a café, patisserie,

AB Concept convert magnificent Milanese mansion into new restaurant for Paper Moon
by Kim Megson | 16 May 2018
A new restaurant brand from the creator of the hugely popular Paper Moon chain has launched in the heart of Milan’s Golden Rectangle, housed within a 200-year old mansion. Palazzo Reina, which was commissioned by the noble Milanese Reina family and built in 1830 by architect Nicola Dordoni, has been carefully restored and converted by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan of AB Concept especially for the first Paper Moon Giardino

OMA complete latest expansion for Milan's Fondazione Prada
by Kim Megson | 23 Apr 2018
International architects OMA have completed their latest addition to fashion house Prada’s arts complex in southern Milan, on the site of a former gin distillery. Torre is a nine-level, 60m (197ft) high tower with a facade that alternates between glass and white concrete surfaces. Devoted to “the development of a new typology for the exhibition of art” at Fondazione Prada, the structure’s different levels each have different spatial parameters, due

Carlo Ratti explores the effects of climate change at Milan Pavilion
by Magali Robathan | 19 Apr 2018
Carlo Ratti has created a climate-controlled garden pavilion with green spaces curated by Patrick Blanc and Flavio Pollano for the 57th annual Salone del Mobile in Milan. The pavilion, entitled Living Nature, uses an innovative energy management system “to allow spring, summer, autumn and winter to coexist under the same roof” and aims to explore the effects of climate change and the link between nature and the city. It evolved

Salone del Mobile and Design Week kick off in Milan with 300,000 visitors expected
by Kim Megson | 18 Apr 2018
Salone del Mobile, one of the world’s leading international design and furnishing events, has kicked off in Milan, with more than 300,000 visitors from over 165 countries expected to visit before the show closes on 22 April. More than 2,000 exhibitors from the worlds of furniture, lighting technology and bathroom and kitchen design are presenting their products and innovations to potential buyers across more than 200,000sq m. Several brands are also celebrating their new collections

Love all! Artist places tennis court inside repurposed 16th-century church for Milan exhibition
by Kim Megson | 14 Nov 2017
Artist Asad Raza has created an indoor tennis court with a difference: it sits within a deconsecrated 16th-century church. Rather than an excitable crowd of spectators, players in the San Paolo Converso arena will be surrounded by murals of Saint Paul. Otherwise, though, the space is set up like a typical court – complete with lines, netting, racquets, chairs, a jug of iced jasmine tea and even coaches to practice

Carlo Ratti proposes climate-controlled 'Garden of Four Seasons' for new Milan neighbourhood
by Kim Megson | 14 Jul 2017
One of the largest urban regenerations in Europe is set to be anchored by a public garden where spring, summer, autumn and winter coexist together throughout the year. The concept, called ‘Garden of the Four Seasons’, comes from the studio of designers, researchers and innovators Carlo Ratti Associati, and is being developed by property firm CityLife for a 366,000sq m (4 million sq ft) district in the west of Milan.

MAD Architects transforming Milan's abandoned railyards into nature-inspired leisure districts
by Kim Megson | 10 Apr 2017
MAD Architects have unveiled an ambitious plan to reinvigorate seven of Milan’s abandoned and dilapidated railyards into a series of interlinked green parks and new leisure communities. Extensive landscaping runs throughout the project, while new residential, commercial and public developments will be “grafted into the landscape” in the form of MAD’s trademark organic nature-like structures. The railyards will be collated into three main villages formed around a repurposed freight warehouse.

Wolfgang Buttress' Hive pavilion creates buzz in London's Kew Gardens
by Kim Megson | 16 Jun 2016
Wolfgang Buttress’ multi-sensory celebration of bees will open to the public this Saturday (18 June) in London’s Kew Gardens. The Hive is a pavilion inspired by scientific research into the health of bees and their role in pollinating crops essential to human survival. The 17m (55.7ft) high, 40 tonne aluminium structure takes visitors on an experiential journey through the life of a bee colony, from an outside meadow into the

MAD unveil sculptural ‘Invisible Border’ installation at 2016 Milan Design Week
by Kim Megson | 13 Apr 2016
Beijing-based innovators MAD Architects have designed a flowing, translucent installation for the 2016 Milan Design Week in the famous courtyard of the city’s university. The sculptural piece, called Invisible Border, forms a rippling canopy descending across the Cortile d’Onore courtyard from a loggia to the ground, establishing a shelter for people to gather, socialise and contemplate their surroundings. “Architects usually create borders by defining spaces – what is inside and

Sou Fujimoto creates 'Forest of Light' installation for Milan Design Week
by Kim Megson | 12 Apr 2016
Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto has designed an immersive installation called Forest of Light for Milan Design Week. A darkened space is illuminated by towering cones of light that respond to visitors’ movements. Fog and specially-composed sounds add an atmospheric effect, and mirrored walls have been installed to create the illusion of an infinite landscape, where the conical spotlights form countless abstract trees. “People meander through this forest, as if lured

The Hive to celebrate the life of bees at new Kew Gardens home
by Kim Megson | 29 Jan 2016
The Hive – Wolfgang Buttress’ award-winning multi-sensory pavilion – is to be given a new home within London’s Kew Gardens. The structure was the centrepiece of the UK’s entry at the six-month long 2015 Milan Expo, where it attracted more than 3.3m visitors and was awarded the BIE Gold Award for Architecture and Landscape. It will be displayed at Kew – a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing 132 hectares of

Wolfgang Buttress' creation The Hive wins gold at Milan Expo awards
by Kim Megson | 02 Nov 2015
One of the top architecture prizes at the 2015 Milan Expo has been awarded to the Hive; the UK pavilion created by artist Wolfgang Buttress, engineers Simmonds Studio and architects BDP. The team received the BIE Gold Award for Architecture and Landscape on the final day of the six-month international exhibition. Since opening in May, more than 3.3 million people have been to see the 14 cubic metre (459 cubic

David Chipperfield Architects to sue over Milan museum 'defects'
by Kim Megson | 29 Oct 2015
David Chipperfield is seeking legal action over “defects” in the construction of his Museo delle Culture (Mudec) in Milan. The museum had its soft opening on 27 October. On the same day David Chipperfield Architects posted a statement on their website making clear the firm's anger at how the project has been handled. The company said: “The Milan City Council is opening the doors of the museum despite David Chipperfield

AC Milan scraps plans for new stadium over land concerns
by Tom Walker | 22 Sep 2015
Serie A giant AC Milan has confirmed it has abandoned plans to build a new stadium in the north of Milan. The seven-time European champion had already been given the green light by city administrators to develop a new €330m (US$363m, £236m) venue in the Portello region of Milan. Concerns over the condition of the land needed for the development, however, resulted in the club withdrawing its plans. It is

AC Milan given green light for new €330m stadium designed by Arup
by Tom Walker | 08 Jul 2015
Italian club AC Milan has been given the green light to build a new €330m (US$363m, £236m) stadium in the north of the city. The seven-time European football champions’ plans for a new 48,000-capacity stadium in the Portello region of Milan were approved by city administrators after a six-month long consultation period. Designed by sports architects Arup, the club has described the stadium as “the most innovative in the world”.

Daniel Libeskind’s ‘Chinese dragon’ pavilion takes centre stage at Milan Expo
by Jason Holland | 07 May 2015
New York-based architect Daniel Libeskind’s pavilion for Chinese real estate company Vanke has been unveiled at the Milan Expo 2015. Resembling a dragon and featuring 4,000 shimmering ceramic tiles that look like scales, the pavilion seeks to explore the expo’s theme of ‘Feeding the Planet’ by reimagining a traditional Chinese shitang, or dining hall. Libeskind designed the three-dimensional red metalised tiles with the Italian company Casalgrande Padana, and they appear
company profile
Sparcstudio offers a bespoke and comprehensive design service with real attention to detail. Logical and inspiring space planning forms the bedrock of all Sparcstudio projects.
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
features
"I hope architects gain a genuine understanding of how buildings and spaces affect our mental wellbeing and how their design can be tailored towards making people happier and healthier"
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home
features
"It would be great if today’s men left as a legacy for the future some architectural and humanistic monuments for the next hundred, three hundred, one thousand years"
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more
cladkit product news
The new lock model allows facilities and building managers to create and manage access via an app or online portal
Codelocks has launched its first glass door smart lock to bring intelligent access control to modern spa, leisure, fitness and
...
Almost 300 drones were used to signal an environmental message above the Eden Project’s biomes, during the UN Climate Change
...
cladkit product news
The furniture collection draws on absolute geometries, pure lines, neutral colours and strong references to nature
Furniture manufacturer Varaschin has unveiled the new Wellness Therapy range, designed by Italian spa and wellness architect and designer Alberto
...
Alemanno believes the stones are well-placed in the spa environment thanks to their capacity to positively support physical and mental health
Fabio Alemanno Design has expanded its collection with semi-precious stones to enhance spas, wellness facilities, hotels and private residences. The
...
cladkit product news
Mather & Co has transformed the visitor centre into the ultimate haven for ardent Coronation Street viewers
Experience designers, Mather & Co, have orchestrated a remarkable collaboration with ITV to unveil the new Coronation Street Experience, a
...
Koto is known for crafting modular, energy-neutral cabins and homes
A striking wood-fired hot tub has been unveiled by Koto, an architecture and design studio which has a passion for
...