Milan opens its Expo Gate, designed by Scandurrastudio, ahead of the World Expo in 2015
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.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
JJ Martin
-
Explore Cornwall's cosiest coffee shops
Cornwall is known for its natural beauty and stunning landscape, here is our pick of coffee shops to enjoy the views and refuel
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Maude’s Brâncuși-inspired sex toys go on display in a new Paris exhibition
Maude’s design-led vibrators are now on display at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, as part of ‘Private Lives: From the Bedroom to Social Media’. Brand founder Éva Goicochea talks to Wallpaper* about partnering with the museum and opening up cultural conversations around sex
By India Birgitta Jarvis Published
-
‘I was captivated by the idea of merging two iconic brands’: Nigo on his 1990s-inspired collaboration with Moncler and Mercedes-Benz
Unveiled at Moncler’s ‘The City of Genius’ event in Shanghai this past weekend, Japanese fashion designer Nigo unpacks his three-way collaboration with Moncler and Mercedes-Benz, which includes a play on the G-Class alongside a fashion collection in his eclectic style
By Jack Moss Published
-
Naples Central Station boasts a wavy, wooden signature roof that is dramatic and sculptural
Naples Underground Central Station by Benedetta Tagliabue is a work of art that’s inviting and vibrant, matching its dynamic context
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
‘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
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
New Aesop Milan store is a haven of beauty and tranquillity
The latest Aesop Milan store to open is a hub of wellness, beauty and tranquillity in the Italian metropolis
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
A new water mirror casts a misty veil over ancient Roman baths
Architect Hannes Peer reveals a water mirror in Rome – an immersive architectural installation at the heart of the ancient Baths of Caracalla
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Giovanni Michelucci’s dramatic concrete church in the Italian Dolomites
Giovanni Michelucci’s concrete Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in the Italian Dolomites is a reverently uplifting memorial to the victims of a local disaster
By Jonathan Glancey Published
-
Milan’s 10 Corso Como revamp nods to the concept store’s industrial character
Milanese concept store 10 Corso Como unveils its new look by 2050+, a stripped-back design that nods to its 20th-century character
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Carlo Ratti announced curator of Venice Architecture Biennale 2025
Carlo Ratti has been revealed as the Director of the Architecture Department at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, with the specific task of curating the 19th International Architecture Exhibition
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Floating infinity pool by Herzog & De Meuron at Lake Como is largest of its kind
Herzog & de Meuron creates the largest floating infinity pool in the world for Mandarin Oriental in Lake Como
By Lauren Ho Published