Milan, the stage for an epoch-making moment of evolution on an architectural and social level, calling London, global city, future host to the 2012 Olympics and undisputed international point of reference for urban change.

From 10 December to 18 January FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti’s Spazio FMG is to host “London Calling – Urban Renovation”, an exhibition showing four recent architectural projects by as many influential upcoming British studios who are exhibiting their work in Italy for the first time.

“Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Ash & Sakula, Haworth Tompkins and Witherford Watson Mann pit their skills against their native town to offer their own interpretation of London and how to design it. The four works on show at Spazio FMG represent interesting renovations of several areas on the city’s outskirts. Developed within a dense and complex urban fabric they were designed to rekindle new social and urban dynamics,” say the exhibition’s curators Simona Galateo and Luca Molinari.
For the first time FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti will be a guest, along with the curators and designers and the studios showing at the exhibition, at a forum at the headquarters of the Milan Order of Architects [Ordine degli Architetti P.P.C. - Pianificatori, Paesaggisti e Conservatori - Planners, Conservators, Landscape Architects] in via Solferino 19 from 9.15 p.m. onwards.

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
At the Naim Dangoor Centre - London, 2007

Westminster Academy at the Naim Dangoor Centre is characterized by a large central area which branches off into all the school’s distribution routes. The project is a superb combination of architectural quality with focus on communication for the students and the use of colour. The idea is that of being able to have an environment that is both educational and communicative at the same time. Located in one of London’s poorest areas and set in a compromised urban context, it is in harmony with a busy highway and a series of recently built residential tower and terrace blocks. The building’s prize nominations include the Stirling Prize this year.

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris is one of London’s leading studios for the educational building sector and has garnered several prizes from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), as well as other international awards.

[ www.ahmm.co.uk ]

Ash & Sakula
THE HOTHOUSE
London, 2007

At Spazio FMG Ash & Sakula present THE HOTHOUSE, a contemporary arts centre in Hackney, located in a portion of urban fabric behind a railway line and huge new residential complexes. THE HOTHOUSE forms an essential part of local life, having become the venue for art performances and small gatherings for the neighbourhood’s residents, and looks out onto one of the city’s oldest parks, one of the north entrances to London in the early nineteenth century. This project, completed only a year ago, won the Ash & Sakula studio the 2003 edition of the London Planning Award,

Ash & Sakula is a small studio that has been operating in London for several years. It has always been involved in the sophisticated, innovative exercise of recycling materials and in-depth, experimental study of urban dynamics, and has undertaken various regeneration projects for entire neighbourhoods throughout England.

[ www.ashsak.com ]

Haworth Tompkins
YOUNG VIC THEATRE
London, 2006

The Young Vic Theatre is the result of the regeneration and renovation of the old theatre located in Waterloo. Completed in 2006 the work was undertaken with a deep respect for the existing structure of the old theatre while attempting to rescale it to address new public needs. The project was developed in collaboration with a team of artists in order to cover thoroughly all the aspects of the development of the new building. The Young Vic Theatre is a major urban point of reference and its giant foyer is a meeting place for young artists and non- from all over the city. The design won the RIBA National Award and the Building of the Year Award in 2007.

Haworth Tompkins has been operating in London since 1991 and has won several national and international prizes. It focuses heavily on addressing the urban themes in the contexts of every project it handles.

[ www.haworthtompkins.com ]

Witherford Watson Mann
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL UK HEADQUARTERS
London, 2005

Winner of the Hackney Design Award in 2007, the building headquarters of Amnesty International UK is the result of a competition by invitation and was completed by the studio with architect Gregori Chiarotti. The project envisaged the modernization and urban restructuring of two buildings in Shoreditch. With its decidedly public nature the building aims to be a point of reference for local social activities. It features a small auditorium and rooms for teaching, displaying temporary exhibitions and hosting small workshops.

Witherford Watson Mann has been working in London since 1997 and has won the Europan 5 award. Highly attentive to the dynamics of urban development it carefully observes the relationship between a city and the landscape and between architecture and social commitment, with an interesting focus on freehand drawing. The studio has taken part in several international exhibitions, including the San Paolo Biennial of 2003 and the XI Venice Biennial.

[ www.wwmarchitects.co.uk ]

FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti’s SPAZIO FMG per l’Architettura (Milan, Via Bergognone 27) is a gallery open to the public which is designed to be an area for the display of works and the creation of exchange in the world of design through a packed schedule of exhibitions.

Spazio FMG focuses on three main aspects: great contemporary Masters, upcoming young talents and important projects that encourage reflection on the themes of contemporary living.

Spazio FMG works in association with the Corriere della Sera and is sponsored by Milan City Council.

On Wednesday 10 December at 9.15 p.m. FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti and the Milan Order of Architects [Ordine degli Architetti P.P.C. - Pianificatori, Paesaggisti e Conservatori - Planners, Conservators, Landscape Architects] have organized a forum at the Order’s headquarters in Via Solferino 19 to share the design experience of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Ash & Sakula, and Haworth Tompkins. The forum will be chaired by architect Antonio Borghi, board member of the Milan Order of Architects.

An important appointment with FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti bearing witness to the profound, genuine link and passion for the world of architecture.