milan architecture city guide: highlights from historical monuments to contemporary works

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

Gallaratese Quarter / Aldo Rossi & Carlo Aymonino

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

Generali Tower / Zaha Hadid Architects

image © Hufton + Crow

Mondadori Office Playground / Carlo Ratti Associati

Apple Piazza Liberty / Foster + Partners

image © Nigel Young

New Urban Campus for Bocconi University / SANAA

Citylife Apartments / Zaha Hadid Architects

image © Simón Garcia

MEET Digital Arts Center / Carlo Ratti Associati

image © Michele Nastasi

Base – Center For Culture And Creativity / Onsite Studio

image © Giovanna Silva

Bibilioteca degli Alberi Park / Inside Outside Architecture

image © Andrea Cherchi

Fondazione Luigi Rovati / Mario Cucinella Architects

PAN Bakery Milano / studio wok

image © Simone Bossi

Pharo Office Building / Park Associati

image © Nicola Colella – Park Associati

San Raffaele Hospital / Mario Cucinella Architects

image © Duccio Malagamba

Trattoria del Ciumbia / dimorestudio

image © Paola Pansini

Palazzo Citterio / Mario Cucinella

image © Walter Vecchio

UNIMATIC Watches Flagship Store / Claesson Koivisto Rune

image © Delfino Sisto Legnani

aesop Store / dimorestudio

image © Paola Pansini

Contraste / Debonademeo Studio

Portrait Milano Hotel / AMDL CIRCLE

image courtesy of AMDL Circle

Fondazione Prada Osservatorio Exhibition Space / Fondazione Prada

image © Delfino Sisto Legnani

Fondazione Prada Torre Restaurant / OMA

image © Delfino Sisto Legnani

Pirelli Hangarbicocca / Jean Tinguely

image © Agostino Osio

Bottega Veneta’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Store / Matthieu Blazy

image courtesy of Bottega Veneta

10 Corso Como Store / 2050+

image courtesy of 2050+