Architectural Cases

Embracing past and future: Milan's spiritual innovation

A New Vision for Milan's Knowledge Hub: The Ambrosian Monastery

At the core of Milan's rapidly developing MIND district, Stefano Boeri Architetti introduces the Ambrosian Monastery, a pioneering architectural concept that reimagines civic infrastructure. This ambitious project is envisioned as a holistic environment that harmonizes spiritual practice, interfaith discourse, and scientific inquiry within a unified space.

Connecting Heritage with Modernity: The Monastery's Symbolic Role

Commissioned by the Archdiocese of Milan and unveiled at the historic Chiaravalle Abbey, the project symbolically links Milan's rich monastic heritage with the city's current focus on research, innovation, and urban renewal. Positioned at the intersection of the district's primary axes, the monastery will span 2,700 square meters, complemented by an additional 1,100 square meters of green space. The design team anticipates that this permeable and inclusive environment will serve MIND's projected 70,000 residents, students, researchers, and visitors by 2030.

Reinterpreting the Cloister: A Contemporary Civic Space

The design reinterprets the traditional cloister through a contemporary lens, centering on themes of care, dialogue, and spiritual exploration. A triangular cloister, deliberately open to the urban flow, is framed by a colonnade aligned with the district's main thoroughfares, creating spaces that feel both intimate and accessible.

Architectural and Spiritual Integration: The Church and Community Facilities

Emerging from the cloister, a new trigonal-plan church will accommodate 300 to 350 worshippers. Its upward-sweeping roofline evokes the grandeur of Milan Cathedral, transforming the structure into a sail-like form that embraces the entire complex. Adjacent to the church are community areas and residences for a small pastoral group, ensuring the continuity of liturgical and daily monastic activities.

A Hub for Knowledge: The Transparent Library of Religions

The design is further anchored by the transparent prism of the Library of Religions, conceptualized as a vital center for study, education, and the exchange between theological thought and the life sciences cultivated within MIND. Study rooms, versatile communal areas, and an open-air amphitheater extend the library's function, establishing it as a dynamic platform for collective discussion.

Cultivating Spirituality: The Garden of Religions

Landscape design plays a crucial role in the project's vision, with the Garden of Religions featuring plant species emblematic of Milan's monotheistic traditions. Citizens and faith communities are invited to actively participate in the garden's upkeep, thereby strengthening the monastery's civic dimension.

Bridging History and Public Life: Sculptures atop the Library

An innovative element of the design is found atop the library, where cherry trees will encircle sculptures from the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo's archived collections. By relocating these previously inaccessible statues to an open grove, the project fosters a new interaction between historical artistry and public space, allowing fragments of Milan's religious and artistic heritage to re-enter daily urban life.

Fostering Dialogue: Spirituality in the Innovation City

The Ambrosian Monastery is a direct outcome of the Diocese of Milan's broader examination into how the church can adapt to contemporary urban transformations. Positioned within MIND's technologically advanced and research-focused environment, the monastery provides a unique venue for discussions on compassion, ethics, coexistence, and the true meaning of progress for society.

The Archbishop's Vision: Essential Spaces for Reflection

During the project's presentation, Archbishop Mario Delpini characterized MIND as a place where 'knowledge, research, talent, business, entertainment, nature, and life' converge. He emphasized the continuing necessity of spaces for contemplation and spiritual transcendence within rapidly evolving urban landscapes.

Stefano Boeri's Architectural Philosophy: Openness and Unity

Stefano Boeri articulated that the project's ultimate goal is to embody openness in architectural form. He stated, 'We aimed to shape the new Ambrosian Monastery with a unified and open architecture, whose spatiality would represent the embrace of the new church, the transparent prism of the Library of Religions, and the triangular cloister of the Garden of Faiths.'

Atelier L has crafted a distinctive coffee pavilion for Kurasu in Beijing's Taikoo Li Sanlitun, drawing profound inspiration from the iconic form of the pour-over coffee dripper. This innovative pop-up structure seamlessly blends the art of coffee preparation with architectural design, creating a space that is both functional and aesthetically engaging. The design meticulously translates the fluid geometry of the dripper into a dynamic interplay of forms and materials, fostering a unique dialogue between interior tranquility and the lively urban environment.

The temporary installation, strategically placed within the bustling Taikoo Li Sanlitun, spans approximately 8 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width, reaching a peak height of 3.5 meters. The core of the design lies in its 'dual vessels' concept, which reimagines the Kurasu pour-over dripper as two interlinked architectural masses. These volumes are characterized by their folded configurations and a lightweight structural aesthetic, creating an illusion of effortless construction.

The larger of the two structures serves as an intimate, inward-focused area dedicated to coffee brewing and customer service. Its inverted silhouette establishes a secluded interior ambience, providing a serene escape from the surrounding street activity. A central linear counter efficiently guides customer flow, clearly delineating service and public zones within the confined footprint. Subtle angling of the walls not only maximizes operational space behind the counter but also amplifies the perceived depth of the customer area, enhancing the overall spatial experience.

In stark contrast, the smaller volume boldly extends outwards, featuring a cantilevered projection that engages directly with the streetscape. This versatile element functions as a display area, seating arrangement, and a dynamic urban interface, bridging the pavilion with the public thoroughfare of Sanlitun. The thoughtful placement of this intervention positions the structure as both a retail outlet and a miniature public art installation, enriching the urban fabric.

An adaptable glass roof system imbues the compact pavilion with environmental responsiveness. It adjusts to varying seasons and weather conditions while preserving visual transparency, offering glimpses of the surrounding trees and the shifting daylight. This feature strengthens the pavilion’s connection to the external atmosphere, despite its location within a dense urban setting.

The material palette of the pavilion pays homage to Kurasu’s product design language and the broader tradition of Kyoto craft. Brushed stainless steel, wood-grain aluminum, and textured beige finishes create a compelling contrast between reflective and warm textures. These materials were chosen for their durability and ease of assembly, reflecting Atelier L’s consistent material strategy, as seen in Kurasu’s Shenzhen location, which also juxtaposes cool exterior surfaces with inviting interior warmth.

The entire structure is anchored by a steel base that subtly elevates at the corners, evoking the delicate, folded quality of origami. This design choice, combined with surrounding elements such as dark gravel, natural stone slabs, and strategically placed rocks, creates a courtyard-like ambiance around the pavilion, expanding the spatial experience beyond its physical boundaries.

Inside, the interplay of curved surfaces and folded edges gently diffuses light throughout the compact space, creating a soft, ambient glow. As evening descends, the stainless steel exterior mirrors the urban lights, while the interior lighting accentuates the enclosed nature of the space and highlights the rich textures of the materials.

Instead of imposing a generic retail identity, Atelier L approached this project as an exploration of spatial adaptation and cultural interpretation. Through meticulous planning, disciplined material selection, and layered spatial arrangements, the Kurasu Pop-Up successfully integrates coffee preparation, urban engagement, and architectural artistry into the dynamic daily life of Beijing’s commercial heart.