THE FASCINATING OFFICE FOR LIVING PROJECT

The truly special highlight of Milan this year was the gigantic ‘Project: Office for Living’, set up in the SaloneUfficio space. Conceptualised by starchitect and Pritzker Prize laureate Jean Nouvel, the project represents his vision for the workspaces of the future. It reflects the tremendous changes that have altered working spaces over the past few years, and presents an alternative. It questions the state of current workspaces and embraces the idea of ‘office living’. “I want to instil the notion of taking pleasure in life... we spend more time in the office than at home” he says. Eight spaces are used to demonstrate Nouvel’s passion and thought. From various office scenarios, which include an apartment imagined as a comfortable workspace, an open warehouse office, and a series of offices divided by sliding walls, to innovative lighting systems and a priceless selection of historically important pieces by some of Nouvel’s favourite architects. Of note in the apartment office was that all lighting came from ground up. One room also features work by designers Michele De Lucchi, Marc Newson, Philippe Starck and Ron Arad. SS