Page 59 - AIT0426_E-Paper

Walking Milan QT8, 2023
von • by Rory Gardiner
www.rory-gardiner.com

Whenever architectural firms want to showcase their projects,

Rory Gardiner is one of the most sought-after names in the entire

industry. The Australian photographer, now based in London,

works for architectural offices around the globe and is particularly

known for his analogue visual language, which not only documents

architecture but also strongly intensifies its atmosphere: various

materials, light and signs of use as well become narrative elements

of the space. The photo series presented here marks a slight shift

in his usual perspective and, paradoxically, strikes at the very
heart of his practice: “The way I took these pictures pretty much

sums up how I want to approach architecture photographically.”

Instead of iconic new buildings, Gardiner focuses his attention

on a selected piece of the city. His photographs of the Quartiere

Triennale 8 (QT8) in Milan are less classic architectural photography

than documented precise observations of a built idea. When the

international design scene travels to Milan once again in April to

visit the Salone del Mobile, the city’s role as a design metropolis

seems almost self-evident. Before we turn our attention to the

innovations at this year’s fair in the next issue of AIT, however, this

seems to be a good moment to take a brief look back. Milan’s role

as a design metropolis was actually established decades before the

first edition of the leading trade fair – partly thanks to the Triennale

di Milano. The QT8 also emerged from this environment in 1947: an

experimental urban-development project for reconstruction. Piero

Bottoni had designed a model neighbourhood here that tested new

forms of living, different building typologies and generous green

spaces. Gardiner’s photographs capture this place before Milan

pulsates again to the rhythm of Design Week.