fondazione prada's new building by OMA nears completion in milan

in 2015, milan’s fondazione prada opened its doors to the public for the first time. rem koolhaas’ OMA had completely transformed the site, converting what was once a gin distillery on the southern edge of the city into a bold and diverse complex of challenging exhibition venues. upon inauguration, the 19,000 square meter-campus comprised seven existing buildings and two new ones. however, one of the site’s most important components was still under wraps — a nine-storey tower designed to display the foundation’s permanent collection.

the former gin distillery is located on the southern edge of the city
image © designboom (also main image)

now, two years after fondazione prada first opened, the final part of OMA’s ambitious project is nearing completion. named ‘torre’, or ‘tower’, the soaring structure rises above the neighborhood, protruding as a prominent landmark. visible from afar, the tower’s irregular geometry follows a structural logic. ‘the tower is built from large-span concrete beams that alternate in orientation from level to level, creating an alternating open/closed pattern on each façade,’ says the team behind the project. ‘these beams are tied to a slender concrete core which contains all the services and circulation.’

the nine-storey tower will display the foundation’s permanent collection
image © designboom

the tower is divided vertically into four sections, with two wedge-shaped plans following the site’s outline, and two rectangular plans cantilevering above the adjacent street. in addition to the entrance at ground level, the nine-floor building contains six storeys of gallery space. the tower’s sixth and seventh levels house a restaurant and kitchen respectively. once complete, an independent entrance at street level will allow torre to function autonomously. see designboom’s ongoing coverage of fondazione prada here.

two rectangular floor plans cantilever above the adjacent street
image © designboom