See Inside Daniel Libeskind’s New Apartment Complex in Milan
The architect also unveiled a collection of new products at the Salone del Mobile.

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
The apartment complexes Libeskind designed for CityLife are situated just outside Milan’s historic center.
Photo © Michele-Nastasi

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Phase One of the project has 307 units, while the second phase—to be completed next year—will include an additional three buildings with 125 residences.
Photo © Michele-Nastasi

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan.
Photo © Michele-Nastasi

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
The penthouses are called” Sky Villas.”
Photo © Michele-Nastasi

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
The views from the first floor terrace allow close inspection of Libeskind’s design work.
Photo © Architectural Record

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Louvered Windows shield diners from the morning sun.
Photo © Architectural Record

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Libeskind’s “Time Maze” clock for Alessi is composed of disjointed and broken lines. “The idea that time is a circle is a complete lie. Time is a maze,” he says.
Photo © Alessi

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Libeskind describes his Android radiator for Antrax as a piece of sculpture as well as an example of sustainable technology. “The heat is evenly distributed so it never gets too hot. A child can touch it,” he says. It’s made from 100 percent recyclable material.
Photo © Antrax

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
The crystal pieces in this chess set for Swarovski represent some of Libeskind’s most notable buildings.
Photo © Studio Mierswa Kluska

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Gemma, Libeskind’s new seating collection for Moroso has sharp angles and faceted forms inspired by crystals. It is intended for both commercial and residential use.
Photo ©Alessandro Paderni

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Libeskind collaborated with luxury Italian carpet company Loloey on a collection that explores form, pattern and color in a series of limited edition rugs and carpets, inspired by fractal geometry.
Photo © Loloey

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
For Citco, the luxury Italian marble company, Libeskind designed Enigma, a dynamic shelving system carved into a three-dimensional matrix, which seems to open and fold.
Photo ©Franco Chimenti

Libeskind Unveils Apartments and Objects in Milan
Libeskind canted the arms and back of the Flexform Adagio sofa to create more comfortable seating and says that “the design celebrates Italian craftsmanship.”
Photo © Flexform













Architects & Firms
Daniel Libeskind is clearly enjoying la dolce vita in Milan.
The New York-based architect moved to the city on a part-time basis after winning a 2004 competition for the master plan and development CityLife, a new residential and commercial district just outside of Milan’s historic city center. And at the Salone del Mobile this month, Libeskind introduced seven new products, ranging from a labyrinthine steel clock for Alessi to a Swarovski chess set.
“Designing products is exactly the same as designing buildings, but without the headaches,” he says.
CityLife, located on the former grounds of Fiera Milano, was designed in conjunction with Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and Arata Isozaki & Associates. Many of both Libeskind and ZHA’s apartments, conceived as a series of “archipelagos” over a 90-acre tract, have been completed, and residents are now beginning to move in. When finished, there will be 20 penthouses—dubbed “Sky Villas”—in the Libeskind buildings, and journalists were invited to tour one of the residences.
To say that the décor is over-the-top is an understatement; Milan-based designer Rossana Orlandi selected pieces like a mirrored baroque dining table, cascading crystal chandelier, and loads of one-off furniture and art. The apartment itself, a duplex, includes expansive terraces on both floors that provide breathtaking views of the city. The floor-through residence is completely open with a narrow wooden staircase leading to the bedroom and master bath upstairs. With just once bedroom, these dwellings are clearly for the childless one percent. Prices range from around €6,000 to €11,000 a square meter (about $7,000 to $12,500).
Libeskind’s design for CityLife led to yet another new product: a finely textured light grey tile for Casalgrande Padana, which is used to clad the complex’s five buildings.
While Libeskind practices architecture in the U.S., he will only do products with Italian companies. “With Italians, it’s never just about getting something to the market,” he says. "It’s the linking of knowledge and tradition. It’s about needing to get to know a person.”
Click through the slideshow for images of Libeskind’s CityLife apartments, and his new products.