Though it is still one year away, Milan got its first taste of hosting the World Expo this past weekend when the city's Expo Gate officially opened. Conceived as a link between the historic centre and the Universal Exhibition that takes place 20 minutes outside of the city, Expo Gate is a 19m metal structure situated in front of Milan's imposing 15th century Castello Sforzesco.
Designed by Italian architect Alessandro Scandurra of Scandurrastudio, the structure is composed of two booth-like pavilions around a central square. Its modular, transparency-based design was inspired by other areal frameworks such as the Eiffel tower. But unlike that historic structure, the Gate imparts its power with a low-impact building strategy that allows for an easy build and reconversion, as well as a construction composed entirely from recyclable materials.
The Expo gate will serve as an info point as well as a stage for multimedia interdisciplinary events connected to Expo 2015 over an 18 month period. The entire program of activity, including this weekend's inaugural kick off party, has been conceived by artistic curator Caroline Corbetta.
The action kicked off on Saturday with a marching band parade that originated in Piazza San Babila, complete with highschool students wearing eyemaks made by the workshop #CheFacciaHaMilano and 2000 balloons designed by Matteo Cibic. The mob made its way to Expo Gate where it was met with a DJ set by Italian songwriter Dente and a video installation by Vanessa Beecroft. Projected onto the gate's massive walls were Beecroft's VB52 and VB65, organized in collaboration with Milan's Lia Rumma Gallery.
With the Expo's theme 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life,' food was, of course, on the inauguration menu. Top Italian chefs including Davide Oldani, Carlo Cracko and Andrea Berton riffed on the stuffy risotto Milanese by transforming it into casual street food fed to thousands of happy Italians. Entitled Risata Colorata the traditionally yellow rice was shot with shockingly ethnic touches including dates, daikon and curry and offered for 5 euro a plate, the proceeds of which will go to Gustolab Buoni Come il Pane charity.
Pictured here in the late stages of construction, the Expo Gate was designed by Italian architect Alessandro Scandurra of Scandurrastudio
Artistic curator Caroline Corbetta, photographed for our 'Remaking Milan' story (W*182) bringing together some of the city's most influential women, is responsible for the entire program of activity at the Expo Gate, including last weekend's inaugural kick off party.
The Expo Gate's two modular and transparent structures have a light and diaphanous form, designed to have minimal impact on the environment
The structures are composed entirely from recyclable materials
The two parts of the gate echo the form of the nearby fountain
At night, lighting effects give the gate a soft glow
The Expo Gate will host a rich program of events, as well as serving as the 2015 World Expo ticket office
-
Fluid workspaces: is the era of prescriptive office design over?We discuss evolving workspaces and track the shape-shifting interiors of the 21st century. If options are what we’re after in office design, it looks like we’ve got them
-
This collection of slow furniture is a powerful ode to timeA serene exhibition of David Dolcini's 'Time-made' collection has fast-tracked its place into our hearts and homes
-
Is the Pragma P1 the most sustainable watch yet?Geneva-based brand Pragma combines industrial design with real sustainable credentials
-
The upcoming Zaha Hadid Architects projects set to transform the horizonA peek at Zaha Hadid Architects’ future projects, which will comprise some of the most innovative and intriguing structures in the world
-
Is biodesign the future of architecture? EcoLogicStudio thinks soWe talk all things biodesign with British-Italian architecture practice ecoLogicStudio, discussing how architecture can work with nature
-
Meet Carlo Ratti, the architect curating the 2025 Venice Architecture BiennaleWe meet Italian architect Carlo Ratti, the curator of the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, to find out what drives and fascinates him ahead of the world’s biggest architecture festival kick-off in May
-
The brutal harmony of Villa Caffetto: an Escheresque Italian modernist gemThe Escheresque Italian Villa Caffetto designed by Fausto Bontempi for sculptor Claudio Caffetto
-
Turin’s Museo Egizio gets an OMA makeover for its bicentenaryThe Gallery of the Kings at Turin’s Museo Egizio has been inaugurated after being remodelled by OMA, in collaboration with Andrea Tabocchini Architecture
-
A floor made of tomato skins? Welcome to the Mutti Canteen by Carlo Ratti in Parma
Mutti Canteen by Carlo Ratti is a new, environmentally friendly foodie piece of architecture within Parma's green countryside
-
Naples Central Station boasts a wavy, wooden signature roof that is dramatic and sculpturalNaples Underground Central Station by Benedetta Tagliabue is a work of art that’s inviting and vibrant, matching its dynamic context
-
‘Carlo Scarpa: The Complete Buildings’ is an essential tour of the Italian master’s works‘Carlo Scarpa: The Complete Buildings’ is the perfect book for architecture enthusiasts
