Fondazione Prada /Milano #1

This is a first class architectural artwork. Even gorgeous photographs like the ones  by Bas Princen – Courtesy of Fondazione Prada –  are just a pale reflection of the overwelming conceptual beauty of this building complex. Sara Panagiotopoulou reviews the project on Yatzer in conversation with lead architect Federico Pompignoli. Good stuff! Other inspired reads on this projects on Domus, Wallpaper, Dezeen,  Archdaily, NZZ, The Telegraph and The Guardian.   

Dating back to the 1910s, this former distillery complex has been transformed—led by OMA’s partners, Rem Koolhaas and Chris Van Duijn and Project Leader, Federico Pompignoli—who expertly and inventively combined seven pre-existing buildings with three new structures: the partially sunken, mirror-clad Cinema; the Podium, a gallery for hosting temporary exhibitions which was constructed around the 24 karat gold-leafed, Haunted House; and the Tower (still under construction). Perhaps an ode to the playful theatricality that Prada is known for, one of the pre-existing buildings also houses the Bar Luce, a mid-century inspired Milanese café which was designed by celebrated film director and writer, Wes Anderson, and has been likened to a set from one of his iconic movies. The combination of the above has resulted in a reinvented campus that envelops its visitors and has taken the skill of displaying art to a whole new level.