Cool House. Milan, Italy. May 2015.
One is the Loneliest Number. Milan, Italy. May 2015.
Rem Koolhaas was the lead architect behind Fondazione Prada in Milan, and it is incredibly fitting because it is indeed one very "Cool House." Koolhaas and his firm OMA were tasked with transforming this former distillery south of city center into a mega complex for the Prada family's extensive collection. OMA is a favorite of Prada; they collaborate on catwalks and shopfronts for the brand. In my opinion, Fondazione Prada is the best testament to their collaborative relationship.
OMA converted seven standing buildings and created three news ones that matched the industrial style of the distillery. The Fondazione Prada was established in the 90s to be a cultural hub of cinema and art and the design of the complex honors that. It is minimal, spacious, and sleek, allowing the art and exhibitions to take center stage. However, with this being said, one of the most beautiful aspects of the foundation is part of the building itself; its 24-karat gold leaf covered tower. You can see a glimpse of the gold base in the top photo.
Fondazione Prada has brought new life to a largely ignored neighborhood of Milan and I look forward to the day I get to visit it again and see the changes it brings to the surrounding area.