Forgotten engines once roared where art now thrives at Base Geoedica. This is no ordinary space. It pulses with the energy of Milan’s creative heart. Base Milano stands as a testament to transformation. It breathes new life into a monument of industrial architecture.
Imagine, if you will, the echoes of the past mingling with the vibrant buzz of the present. We are standing in what was once the Ansaldo industrial plant. This sprawling complex played a vital role in Italy’s metalworking sector. Ansaldo produced engines train carriages and tramways here from the 1960s onward. But as production systems evolved the factory fell silent. Buildings were left empty.
The Milan City Council recognized the area’s potential. They purchased the Ansaldo complex in 1990. The goal was ambitious to redevelop the entire area for cultural purposes. The Scala Theatre workshops found a home here in 1994. MUDEC the Milan Museum of Cultures arrived in 2015.
Then in 2014 a public tender sought a vision for the remaining space. A group consisting of Avanzi esterni H+ and a|cube stepped forward. They transformed into a social enterprise. With a significant investment they renovated the building. This allowed the space to become Base Milano.
Opened in 2016 Base Milano now boasts 12000 square meters. It spans three floors. Over 200 resident creative enterprises call it home. More than 400 events draw 500000 visitors each year.
Base Milano stimulates social innovation. It cross-pollinates the arts with companies and technology. It fosters inclusion interaction and innovation. The aim is to generate new reflections for cities. Base Milano establishes connections between people arts disciplines and languages. This boosts Milan’s status as a capital of creative production.
The Onsite Studio architectural design maintains the building’s industrial mood. It combines this with a flexibility for various programs. The design offers a range of scenarios for a large open building. The project seeks to create a radically public structure. It emphasizes the concept of space. The architectural work conserves the quality of the existing environments. It also retains their fascinating atmospheres.
The heart of the project lies in the relationship between the large industrial spaces. A series of volumes of different sizes house essential facilities. These are carefully laid out to create a micro-urban environment. It consists of spaces that recall large and small squares and roads. This reinforces the idea of urban civilization.
Even the lighting plays a crucial role. Studio Voltaire designed it to underline the tone and character of the original building. iGuzzini luminaires have been installed. They are especially prominent on the second floor where the Base Project House is located.
Base Milano is more than just a building. It is a platform for collective imagination. It is a meeting place a stage. It is a space to dance and make noise. Base Milano embraces its identity as a hybrid cultural center. It is open to the city. It is shaped by the people who inhabit it. It also transforms them.
So as you explore Base Milano remember its past. It’s a place where industry gave way to art. It’s a testament to Milan’s ability to reinvent itself. It’s a space where creativity knows no bounds.