Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Past and present "starchitects"

The 52nd edition of Milano Design Week has just closed, but some events of the FuoriSalone 2013 continue. One of the most spectacular is Hybrid Architecture & Design, an exhibition held inside the courtyards and halls of the State University, the so-called Ca' Granda ("Big House").
Hybrid, which will close on April 21st, involves internationally acclaimed architects and designers, who have created site-specific works.
While visiting the exhibition, don't forget to look at the "container" sorrounding the installations. The ancient building, which today hosts the State University, is in fact the largest community hospital of the Renaissance. It was commissioned by the duke Francesco Sforza and designed by the "starchitect" of the time, Antonio Filarete (whose name is also connected with the Sforza Castle).
If you want to know all the secrets of the Ca' Granda, join our guided tour "The plague", every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday at 9.30 am. No booking is required: just be at the meeting point in piazza Fontana, next to the fountain.
The building, which was heavily damaged during the Second World War, has been rebuilt so as to maintain its primitive structure, which reflects the innovations of Filarete. Centuries before "hygiene" became standard practice, the Florentine architect enriched his projects with amazing details that will surprise you.