Milan Design Week 2016 Survival Kit & Our Updated Must-See Milan Itinerary.

Related Post: Things to Do in Milan.
Milan Design Week Survival Kit & Our Must-See Milan Itinerary.

Fondazione Prada // After seven years in the making, Fondazione Prada – an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art & culture – opened its doors in May last year to global acclaim. Housed in a complex that for many years functioned as a distillery, consisting of four existing buildings and three new structures measuring a total of 19,000 sqm, the complex was redesigned by Prada’s long term collaborator Rem Koolhaas of Dutch architecture firm OMA. The buildings exhibit hundreds of modern and contemporary artworks from Miuccia Prada and her husband Patrizio Bertelli’s private collection, as well as pieces on loan from international art institutions. Wes Anderson-designed canteen, Bar Luce, inspired by old-school Milanese cafés, is an attraction unto itself, and a great place for an espresso and a toasted panino.

Largo Isarco 2
fondazioneprada.org

Armani Silos // Housed in a former Nestlé granary, Armani Silos is a remodelled shrine to Minimalism, that houses the fashion houses’ archives from the last 40 years. The exhibition area showcases over 300 garments and 200 accessories from Armani collections, while the rest of the space is dedicated to a digital archive of drawings, sketches and textiles.

Via Bergognone 40
armanisilos.com

HangarBicocca // Located approximately half an hour out of the city, HangarBiocca is a contemporary art museum situated in former factory with monumental permanent installations and temporary shows. Initially opened in 2004 by converting the vast industrial facilities that once belonged to Ansaldo-Breda, HangarBicocca boasts 15,000 square metres of exhibition spaces, making it one of Europe’s largest centres for contemporary art. In April 2012, Pirelli breathed new life into HangarBicocca by investing in the refurbishment of the premises and in a total redesign of the related cultural initiatives in order to create an internationally renowned centre for contemporary art, one that is open – free of charge – to the city, to the community, and to the public at large. The prominent feature of HangarBicocca is the permanent installation The Seven Heavenly Palaces by the German artist Anselm Kiefer, made specifically for the site. It consists of seven towers made of reinforced concrete, each weighing 90 tonnes and varying in height between 14 and 18 metres.

Via Chiese, 2
hangarbicocca.org

Museo Vigna di Leonardo // One of the best known and most prestigious addresses in Milan, the Museo Vigna di Leonardo (also known as Palazzo Degli Atellani) opened to the public earlier this year. (Team Yellowtrace were very fortunate to witness it in person last year during this event). This spectacular property is world famous due to the fact that the great Italian master Da Vinci lived here while painting The Last Supper. Celebrated mid-century Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi restored the property in the 19^th century, but it’s the gardens and the courtyard in particular that stole our hearts.

Corso Magenta 65
vignadileonardo.com

Pasticceria Marchesi // Prada, Prada, Prada! When in Milano, the constant references to the iconic luxury brand are unavoidable. Prada boutiques can be spotted on, what feels like, every corner. Then, the company opened up the spectacular Fondazione Prada (shown above), and more recently it has purchased Pasticceria Marchesi, a Milanese pastry shop beloved by the local tastemakers. Originally founded in 1824, the pastry shop is still in the same location on Monte Napoleone and owned and managed by the same family. Designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, the refurbished shop features walls clad in minty marble, floors lined in chocolate-hued stone, with glowing lighting beaming through pristine white ceiling beams. Can’t afford a Prada handbag? Then this place is your next best thing.

Via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11a
pasticceriamarchesi.it

The Small // Living up to it’s name, The Small can be best described as an experience, rather than a restaurant. Conceived by Alessandro Lo Piccolo and Giancarlo Petriglia, partners in life as in this venture, the venue is fashionably shabby-chic, refined, sexy with a huge attitude that makes up for it’s size. The space boasts a continually evolving collection of home-wares, artworks and interior design pieces – from furniture to bric-à-brac items, ranging from the chair you sit on and table linen you eat at, from contemporary, to vintage and antique.

Via Paganini, angolo Piazza Argentina
thesmall.it

Terrazza 12 // As far as Milan rooftop bars go, Terrazza 12 is definitely one of the top, not just for it’s super chic setting, but for it’s unbeatable view. Located in San Babila, less than five minute walk from the Duomo, the bar offers glimpses of the Duomo’s golden “Madonnina” and gives an interesting perspective on the adjoining rootops. The space itself is cozy and furnished to feel like a living room, complete with classic furniture, lamps, artworks and bookcases filled with oddities.

The Brian & Barry Building (10th floor)
Via Durini 28
terrazza12.it

L’arabesque Store & Cafè // This place was my favourite new (to me) discovery last year. Off the charts insanely cool interior that’s unapologetically Italian, classic, rigorous, with a strong vintage flavour. I could not get over the drama of the black venetian blinds, high gloss black table tops, velvet chairs with tailored contrasting piping and buttons, George Nelson bubble lamps en masse, the single white carnations in crystal vases adorning each table (at least when we visited, although I’m also loving the tulips as shown in the above image). This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there was so much more awesome happening here that wouldn’t fit into a quick description. Far out! Go there.

Largo Augusto, 10
larabesque.net

Al Fresco Milano // In the middle of the Tortona quarter, an old, abandoned warehouse gets transformed by introducing plants and greenery where before there was none. This transformation began when Emanuele Bortolotti, an agronomist and landscape architect, decided to restore the old building and locate his architectural practice amidst the cherry trees, wisteria, and honeysuckle, as well as accommodating the floor space for a retailer of outdoor furniture. Years go by, and the idea of opening up these spaces with its garden to the wider public grows. With Ferdinando Ferdinandi, the owner of the wine bar Piquenique, the idea begins to take shape. The site in via Savona seemed to be the ideal location for an atypical restaurant, dedicated not only to the pleasures of the palate, but also to an atmosphere that can be savoured – before and after meals – as a place to enjoy a glass of good wine or a piece of home-made cake among the flowering plants and aromatic herbs. The result is a beautiful garden with interior spaces awash in natural light. The atmosphere is one of part greenhouse, part Italian bistrot and part artist’s studio.

Via Savona, 50
alfrescomilano.it

Mandarin Oriental Milan // Fusing Milanese design with timeless Oriental luxury, Mandarin Oriental lies in the heart of Milan. Occupying four elegant 18th century buildings steps away from La Scala, the hotel opened last year to international acclaim. Designed by the studio Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the interior is features Mandarin’s signature low-keyed mood-board of muted hues and Asia-inspired touches. Grab an aperitivo at the Mandarin Bar, which at night morphs into one of Milan’s most exclusive nightspots.

Via Andegari, 9
mandarinoriental.com/milan

Room Mate Giulia Milan // Giulia is the newest hotel in Milan, brainchild of the Spanish Room Mate Hotels chain, with interiors designed by Patricia Urquiola. Located just a hop and a skip away from Piazza del Duomo, the interior features a unique and playful atmosphere with many familiar elements of Milan incorporated into the design, such as the pink marble on the hotel lobby floor – the same one used at the Duomo. Patricia Urquiola collaborated with Cassina Contract for the fit out of the hotel, including some custom-made furniture. Many of the furniture pieces are Urquiola designed from brands such as Andreu World, Glas Italia, Kartell, Kettal, Moroso and Very Wood. Other important pieces from the Milanese design history are also represented, such as Marco Zanuso’s Lady and Franco Albini’s Tre Pezzi armchairs from Cassina, and Joe Colombo’s Coupé lamp by Oluce customised for Giulia.

Via Silvio Pellico, 4
giulia.room-matehotels.com

Antica Barbieria Colla di Franco Bompieri // If you’re a dude, (and you preferably have a beard or a moustache, naturally) and you wish to travel through time and into a world where customer service and attention to detail is scared, then this Milanese institution is for you. Located in the picturesque setting of Via Gerolamo Morone in the heart of Milan, close to La Scala, Antica Barbieria Colla retains the authentic atmosphere dating back to the beginning of the last century. Considered as the most famous and prestigious barber shop in Milan, the business began in 1904 by Dino Colla and was built around the tradition of the hot towel shave. The current owner, Franco Bompieri, has been faithfully serving clients since 1960, offering everything from beard and moustache trims, to haircuts complete with in-house luxury products and pomades.

Via Gerolamo Morone, 3
anticabarbieriacolla.it

[Images courtesy of venues.]