Designed by the renowned Swiss-firm Herzog and De Meuron, Fondazione Feltrinell is set to open later this year, 2016, in the area of Porta Volta in Milan. The overall masterplan shows a set of separated buildings that have consistent angular forms wrapped in concrete braces. The whole site runs through Viale Pasubio, with a narrow gap which cuts through the two volumes, determining the foundation building among other offices.
Courtesy of Herzog and De Meuron
While the contemporary style and monolithic expressions were conveyed through sharp clean lines and deep set windows, the structure expressed the geometrical conditions of the site with its rotated positioning.
+988+99999999 and De Meuron’s scheme is part of a wider urban redevelopment of Milan’s district of Porta Volta. The development master plan consists of the Fondazione Feltrinell, two new office buildings, and a generous green area.
After the final touches of construction are completed, the structures will frame a much-needed green space connecting to the existing boulevards. The ground level of the Feltrinelli Fondazione will facilitate various programs such a cafeteria and book store, while the first floor will contain a double-height multi-functional space, followed by finished second and third storeys that will accommodate an office area.
Courtesy of Herzog and De Meuron
According to the architects, inspiration and influence of the project’s form evolved from ‘Cascina’ long farmhouse buildings that are commonly seen in the Lombardy region in Italy and the huge scale of Historic Milanese architecture.
Isabelle Laurent is a Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, recognized for her editorial insight and passion for contemporary architecture. She holds a Master’s in Architectural Theory from École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. Before joining Arch2O in 2016, she worked in a Paris-based architectural office and taught as a faculty adjunct at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. Isabelle focuses on curating projects around sustainability, adaptive reuse, and urban resilience. With a background in design and communication, she brings clarity to complex ideas and plays a key role in shaping Arch2O’s editorial