My Weekly Pics #11: Karoliina Helkkula

My Weekly Pics is a peek into the visual diaries of designers and design professionals. This week, Helsinki Design Week’s producer Karoliina Helkkula takes us to the Milan Design Week. 

#1:My Weekly Pics is a peek into the visual diaries of designers and design professionals. This week, Helsinki Design Week’s producer Karoliina Helkkula takes us to the Milan Design Week. ​

“Milan Design Week has just started and the city is buzzing with people. It is easy to go from one opening to another in the Brera district, located in the heart of the city.”

 

#2:

“HAY’s giant exhibition space was also located in the Brera district and was showcasing 2016 furniture and homeware collection. The 1000 m2 hall also featured HAY Mini Market and a café.”

 

#3:

“The pedometer has been cleared and we are ready to start the day at the furniture fair. Milan International Furniture Fair “Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2016” attracts over 300.000 visitors each year. The amount of the exhibitors seemed to be endless and there was only a chance to see couple of exhibition halls during one day.”

 

#4:

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“It was nice to bump into familiar Finnish minimalism after the polished and giant exhibition stands.”

 

#5:

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“Architecture and design combine in an interesting way in the new Fondazione Prada area designed by Rem Koolhaas.  The former industrial complex that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century features now three new buildings and the rest of the buildings have been renovated and redecorated.

The most interesting part of the area is the combination of new and old and the surprising contrasts of the materials and colours. The old warehouse clad in 24-karat gold leaf blends in well with the detached building covered with mirror glasses.”

 

#6:

“A café designed by the movie director Wes Anderson was also a must see in the Prada area. The space had captured the Anderson’s movies pastel coloured aesthetics combined with the Mid-Century Italian kitsch style.”

 

#7:

“The new World Design Week’s network was launched on Thursday at the Triennale di Milano. There was represenatives from tens of design weeks all over the world and Helsinki Design Week was also present.”

 

#8:

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“One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to Villa Necchi. Built in 1932-1935, the Villa is nowadays a home museum. The building, its garden and swimming pool form a hidden oasis of calm in the heart of the city.

The interior of the villa revealed a real gem with marble bathrooms, sculpted ceilings and walnut parquetry. Every detail of the house had been carefully considered.”

 

#9:

“The tennis court of the villa had been transformed into a pavilion that hosted an exhibition of Austrian design. The exhibition was luminous and the venue a perfect choise”

 

#10:

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“The legendary Bar Basso.

As the first-timers at the Milan Design Week, we heard about the one and only place to be after the dark. The bar has been a nighttime gathering place for the festival visitors for over two decades. The bar attracts hundreads of partygoers each night to enjoy the hazy atmosphere of the iconic bar.

After hearing some insiders’ tips, we had the courage to queue up for drinks inside the bar and moved on to the street to marvel the masses of people.”