Flora Alpina: Blending Alpine Serenity with Urban Dynamics
The Vision: An Alpine Sanctuary in the City
The "Flora Alpina" initiative, spearheaded by BUREAU, has reimagined the courtyard of Milan's Centro Svizzero. This architectural intervention, serving as the House of Switzerland during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, draws inspiration from the venerable 'Hortus Conclusus' concept—an enclosed garden that traditionally offers a secluded retreat. Through this lens, the installation symbolically represents Switzerland as a nation both distinctively bounded and inherently open to global interactions and natural influences. This dynamic space artfully integrates natural and constructed elements, forming a captivating urban landscape.
The Garden's Cultural Resonance
More than just a visual spectacle, the project aims to forge a deep connection between Switzerland and Italy by highlighting their shared alpine heritage. This temporary gathering space is designed to foster community engagement, providing a venue for celebrations, spontaneous meetings, and a rich array of cultural activities throughout the Olympic period. It exemplifies how historical garden typologies can be reinterpreted to create contemporary, composed environments where living and non-living components interact harmoniously, defining spatial sequences and tranquil areas for reflection amidst the city's hustle.
Architectural Follies: Structuring Interaction and Display
The design of Flora Alpina is meticulously crafted with integrated architectural 'follies' and modular components. These elements are not merely decorative but serve functional roles, structuring diverse activities within the garden. Vibrant, patterned modules host various amenities, including stage platforms for performances, tribunes for spectators, bleachers for casual seating, kiosks for concessions, and market stalls for local vendors. Complementing these structures, additional graphic patterns are incorporated into lighting fixtures, ingeniously utilizing Milan's iconic street bollards ('panettoni'). These bollards are cleverly adapted into a family of urban furniture, serving as stools, tables, and signage supports, enhancing both the aesthetic and utility of the space.
Seamless Integration: Bridging Indoor and Outdoor Realms
The conceptual boundary of the garden fluidly extends into the adjacent Swiss Corner restaurant, blurring the lines between the exterior installation and the interior space. Here, the work of photographer Dylan Perrenoud is showcased through illuminated lightboxes, presenting archival images of rocks and floral compositions from 1980s slide collections. Opposite these compelling visual displays, 140 potted flowers are arranged within the restaurant's show windows. This deliberate placement creates layered reflections, establishing a continuous visual dialogue between the interior and the street facade. The existing architectural character of the building plays a crucial role in amplifying these visual overlaps, dynamically redefining the relationship between the art installation and its urban surroundings.
The Enduring Symbolism of Flora Alpina
At its core, Flora Alpina, conceived by the BUREAU design studio, is an embodiment of flexibility and adaptability. The project thoughtfully explores the symbolic significance of flowers in various cultural contexts—from sports and medicine to traditional rituals. By weaving together plant life, modular constructions, and the urban environment, the installation transcends its physical boundaries, positioning the garden as a vital spatial and cultural mediator within Milan during the Olympic festivities. It serves as a testament to the power of design to create meaningful connections and enrich public spaces.