A versatile exhibition space into a rough, honest industrial old building. Quality of space, light and technology as the perfect infrastructure for changing contemporary art exhibitions. An authorial architecture recognizable for a few design signs – as the staircase, the choice of unusual materials and technical solutions – not neutral but capable of adapting to different needs. The continuity between exhibition spaces, offices, service spaces, outdoor gardens, in a common sense of design overall. Original materials as inspiration for new solutions, as the wood of the historical beams reused for the decking of all the first floor, with all its imperfections and defects. Light, natural and artificial, as the painter of the new space, dosed with attention for the best exhibition result.
The purpose of the project for its role in the urban context was the preservation of its original industrial aspect obtained by recuperating the original bricks, completion of the window composition and demolition of all the added volumes. It was also important to enhance the difference between its public new function of art exhibition site from the surrounding residential context. The choice of rough materials for façades and windows, the strong visual and physical connection between indoor and outdoor exhibitions spaces have been designed to remark the new function of the building and to mark the difference between original parts and newly added ones. The southside added volume at level zero, in wood, is immediately recognizable as a new addition completely openable to the front garden.
The new HQ of Fondazione Elpis find themselves in an independent building, it was built in 1885 as an industrial laundry building for the nearby hospital for the elderly and it was abandoned in the early 90s. In this beautiful setting the Fondazione Elpis consists of about 800 sqm, spread over three levels that are designed to host temporary exhibitions, workshops, screenings, site specific installations and offices. The renovation project was designed to keep the industrial nature of the building unaltered, with a conservative approach to volumes, materials and surfaces but creating a new contemporary exhibition space. The architectural intervention aims to connect the history of the building to the present day, creating an extremely versatile environment for exhibiting contemporary art while maintaining a strong bond with the site and with the original construction systems of the building. Strengths:
Soft mix of natural and artificial light
Natural materials for flooring: concrete for the basement and the ground floor, accessible from outside; wood for the first floor, realized using the historical beams sliced with a rough texture to enhance its authenticity
Structural strength exhibited, both on the historical ceiling of the ground floor and the wooden truss partially recuperated from the original roof
A class building, built with internal insulation to preserve the original facades and the use of renewable energy
High performances together with a discreet and elegant appearance
A space for contemporary art in the center of Milan that interprets historical industrial architecture and leads it to new expressions. The goal of the project is to harmonize space, light and architecture to reach the better conditions for art exhibitions, in a technologically equipped environment.
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The new staircase seen from the bottom, floating in the space thanks to its light iron structure
The building, dated 1855, has been restored with conservative criteria, through the cleaning and completion of the original bricks and the reopening of closed or modified windows
On the south facçade the addition speaks a different language, recognizable from the original context. The large sliding windows connect internal and external exhibition spaces, and the terrace on top offers a different point of view onto the garden exhib
The exhibition spaces at ground floor, with concrete floors and the original ceilings restored. All the vertical surfaces are at disposal for exhibition and hide insulation and technologies of an energetic A class building.
The exhibition spaces at ground floor, with concrete floors and the original ceilings restored. All the vertical surfaces are at disposal for exhibition and hide insulation and technologies of an energetic A class building.
The exhibition spaces at ground floor, with concrete floors and the original ceilings restored. All the vertical surfaces are at disposal for exhibition and hide insulation and technologies of an energetic A class building.
The new staircase constructed with an iron structure welded onsite and concrete open steps. Its sinuous shape creates a light connection among the three levels as a vertical exhibition space.
The new staircase constructed with an iron structure welded onsite and concrete open steps. Its sinuous shape creates a light connection among the three levels as a vertical exhibition space.
The new staircase constructed with an iron structure welded onsite and concrete open steps. Its sinuous shape creates a light connection among the three levels as a vertical exhibition space.
The exhibition space at first floor. The structure of the roof is made with composed trusses, done with portions of the historical ones, new fir beams and iron chain.
The exhibition space at first floor. The structure of the roof is made with composed trusses, done with portions of the historical ones, new fir beams and iron chain.
Milano
Italy
Fondazione Elpis
Cultural Center
10/2022
800 mq
Confidential
Gio Latis STUDIO
Gio Latis STUDIO - Giovanna Latis con Nicola Alborghetti , Manuel Alias Sotos, Vito Latis, Filippo Meda
Progettoo strutturale: ing. Redesco, ing. Matteo Gemelli - Progetto Impiantistico: Bouygues, LDL e Open Care - Landscape design: Costanza Rampello e Didier Berruyer
General contractor: Ediltecno restauri - Restauro facciate: Gasparoli restauri - Opere interne e finiture: Artegesso - Coperture e parquet piano primo: Galimberti legno e bioedilizia - Pavimenti: Isoplam - Opere in ferro (scala, parapetti): Effegieffe - Serramenti: Secco sistemi (Effegieffe) - Montacarichi: Baglini ascensori - Illuminazione: Artemide - Maniglie: Olivari - Opere di arredo interne su misura: Idealegno Più, Turri - Arredi interni: Unifor, ICF, Arper, Antonio Lupi
Nicolò Panzeri, Fabrizio Vatieri, Lorenzo Carone
Curriculum
Gio Latis STUDIO is a practice with a multidisciplinary approach and develops projects at different scales, from architecture to landscape, interior, lighting, exhibition design for temporary and permanent installations, furniture design and art direction. The firm's working method pays particular attention to border areas and harmonization between the parts: inside and outside, built and green areas, light and shadow. In interior projects, both private residential, workplaces and hospitality, the creation of the atmosphere is based on the careful study of the spaces, the functional aspects together with the emotional and impalpable feel for materials, colors and light. This sensibility has been built over time thanks to the many temporary and permanent exhibition projects, which have been and continue to be places of formal and functional experimentation to deepen the perceptual and symbolic themes that can be replicated and adpted in the various design developments.
