Netherlands-based Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) has inaugurated the Fondazione Prada complex in Milan, Italy.
The project is led by Rem Koolhaas, Chris van Duijn and Federico Pompignoli. It has been developed and designed over a span of seven years.
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The complex expands over a 19,000m2 area and represents OMA’s long-term collaboration with Prada.
It integrates new architecture with that of the early 20th-century one and also includes regeneration of a gin distillery, which comprises of warehouses, laboratories and brewing silos. The project further involves construction of new buildings around a large courtyard.
OMA founding partner Rem Koolhaas said: "The Fondazione is not a preservation project and not a new architecture.
"Two conditions that are usually kept separate here confront each other in a state of permanent interaction, offering an ensemble of fragments that will not congeal into a single image, or allow any part to dominate the others."
The art complex is located in Largo Isarco, which is to the south of the city centre and is aimed at expansion of repertoire of spatial typologies where art exhibitions can be organised for the public.
It houses seven existing buildings, and three new structures, which include one museum as a space for temporary exhibitions, one cinema which is a multimedia auditorium; and the third Torre which is a ten-storied permanent exhibition space allotted for the display of the foundation’s collection and activities.
While all the other structures are open to the public, Torre is still undergoing construction work.
The architecture firm has also designed two exhibitions at the art complex, both of which started from 9 May.
Termed as the Serial Classic, the first one will continue till August 24, while the second one, Portable Classic, will be open till September 13.
Image: Fondazione Prada commissioned the art complex which integrates early 20th-century architecture with new designs. Photo: courtesy of OMA.
