When Miuccia Prada makes a decision to do something… it’s done! In May, a permanent location for the Prada Fondaizone opened on the site of an abandoned distillery. With a long family history in design, it’s a natural progression to get involved in “the arts”. For the past 20 years, Mrs. Prada has been collecting favorite artists. In order to not interfere with the runway profession, the Fondaizone was initially opened in Venice. Recently though, with the collusion of art and fashion prevalent among other top designers. For example Foundation Louis Vuitton. The idea of building a permanent home in her hometown of Milan was born.
Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas, and his firm were enlisted to take on this monumental task. Reclaiming the industrial space called for replacing one building, preserving seven buildings and adding two new buildings to create a “new and old complex”. The diversity between the buildings is exactly what Prada envisioned. Among the notable buildings is a “Haunted House” clad in gold and a cinema encased in mirrors and partially underground. With so much exhibition space, there truly will be something for everybody!
19,000 square meters are covered by this twisting combination of buildings which house modern and contemporary art.
Image courtesy of: Wallpaper, photographed by: Bas Princen
The first exhibition at this new venue was titled, “Serial Classic” taking into account spatial typologies and studies themes of continuity and copy in classical; Renaissance and Neo-classical art; architecture and sculpture.
Image courtesy of: Archdaily, photographed by: Bas Princen
A more perfect place there can’t be to eat a bite. Bar Lucie was designed by the notorious Wes Anderson. Mr. Anderson both preserved and recreated the interior to create a feel that is authentic to the original.
Image courtesy of: Habitually Chic
