Milan Architecture City Guide by designboom and Archdaily
Milan, a global hub of fashion and finance, increasingly asserts itself as a leading center for architecture and design. Its status as Italy’s second-largest city underpins its vibrant cultural scene, attracting both established and emerging creative talent. Additionally, Milan is home to esteemed educational institutions recognized for their focus on heritage preservation and conservation. Its cultural and design significance is increasingly pronounced, as a growing number of creators are relocating to establish their presence in this vibrant creative hub.
Among Milan’s most iconic landmarks are the flamboyant gothic Duomo di Milano, and the historically and artistically significant Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, and the ornate Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, along with numerous renaissance and baroque sites. The city also boasts some of the most innovative modern and contemporary architecture, showcasing a unique dialogue between tradition and modernity. This synergy is exemplified by the contributions of architects like Aldo Rossi, Gio Ponti, Stefano Boeri, Mario Cucinella, Zaha Hadid, Grafton Architects, Herzog & de Meuron, and Foster and Partners.
The following guide highlights key historical landmarks alongside designboom’s handpicked interiors and installations and ArchDaily’s selection of contemporary architecture projects. This guide serves as an indispensable resource for those planning to explore Milan during the 2025 Design Week, presenting a blend of essential sites designed by renowned local and international architects.
image © VILTVART via Shutterstock
Duomo Di Milano / Simone da Orsenigo
image via Noppasin Wongchum / Shutterstock
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II / Guiseppe Mengoni
image via Olgysha / Shutterstock
TORRE VELASCA / BBPR
image via COLOMBO NICOLA / Shutterstock
image © Gili Merin
IULM_Milan / 5+1AAAlfonsoFemiaGianlucaPeluffo
image © Ernesta Caviola
Pirelli Tower / Gio Ponti, Pier Luigi Nervi
image via MC MEDIASTUDIO / Shutterstock
RCS Building / Stefano Boeri Architetti
image courtesy of Boeri Studio
Universita Luigi Bocconi / Grafton Architects
image © Frederico Brunetti
Bosco Verticale / Boeri Studio
image © Paolo Rosselli
Torre della Permanente Renovation / Park Associati
image © Nicola Colella
Feltrinelli Porta Volta / Herzog & de Meuron
image © Filippo Romano
Gino Valle Square / Valle Architetti Associati
imag courtesy of Valle Architetti Associati
Gucci Hub / Piuarch
image © Andrea Martiradonna
Cascina Merlata Residential Development / Mario Cucinella Architects
image © Guido Maria Isolabella
Fondazione Prada / OMA
image © Guido Maria Isolabella
image © Hufton + Crow
