First Impressions: Hadid's Twirl for Milan Show

Twirl is an installation by Zaha Hadid Architects for Mutant Architecture and Design staged in the magnificent 16^th century Università degli Studi di Milano building as part of the Salone del Mobile earlier this year.

Initiated by design magazine Interni, the project proposes an exploration of the notion of mutant in architecture and design in the context of this space.

In the peaceful Cortile d’Onore, Twirl is a modern interpretation of the architecture of this courtyard, translated and transformed from rigid Cartesian geometries into the linear fluidity of dynamic space.

Zaha Hadid’s Twirl really gives personification to the word mutant - her embrace of the surrounding context gives the piece a really theatrical feel, Jasmine Cunningham

The large-scale installation for Artemide almost melts into its surroundings by adapting the natural contours of the courtyard.

It emphasises the slopes of the arches, creating a powerful vortex of special distortion that ultimately hopes to create a dialogue with its surroundings of five centuries ago.

Hadid worked closely with Lea Ceramiche, the producer of floor and wall ceramics; manipulating its flexible Slimtech laminated stoneware. Seen from various angles, especially from above, Twirl is quite a spectacle.

Tom Walton’s verdict

The installation of Zaha Hadid’s firm at the Mutant Architecture and Design exhibition is intriguing when it first meets the eye.

As you move around the installation, it constantly changes and morphs colour and form. I think this works well in contrasting the straight, static architecture of the courtyard.

To me, the installation is very playful, it appears to bring use and adventure into a space which was previously unused. The curved paths allow public to create new routes through the courtyard, combining that with a dynamic form, adds an unconventional experience to a somewhat normal journey.

Jasmine Cunningham’s verdict

Zaha Hadid’s Twirl really gives personification to the word mutant - her embrace of the surrounding context gives the piece a really theatrical feel, as if a creature is emerging out of the courtyard.

Jasmine Cunninghamand Tom Walton are architecture student at Nottingham Trent University.