Milan

MAD recently completed its first European project – but it certainly won't be its last. The firm has revealed plans for a mixed-use building in Milan, Italy, that's defined by a lush greenery covered facade intersected with polished metal staircases.

A team of architects is collaborating to transform an aging Milan railway yard into a tree-filled park with a NYC High Line-style raised walkway. The project will also involve the creation of new office space and housing for Olympic athletes.

Stefano Boeri Architetti and Diller Scofidio + Renfro are reimagining Milan's Pirellino office tower and surrounding area. The project will renovate the building and create a new greenery covered tower, with a greenery filled bridge connecting them.

Bjarke Ingels Group continues its busy year with another new project. Named The Portico, it's slated for Milan and will consist of two buildings joined by a long roof that will offer shelter to the public.

Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) is planning to bring something of the Italian countryside to inner-city Milan with its Vitae project. The eye-catching building will host research facilities, offices and a restaurant, and will be covered in greenery, including a vineyard.

Alex Chinneck's surreal artistic works offer a fascinating twist on everyday architecture. His latest project involves him apparently unzipping an aged building's facade during Milan Design Week.

Along with the usual concept cars, Mini has branched out to house and camping concepts in recent years. The latest Mini Living installation, launched in Milan, is an eco-minded six-floor house squeezed into a 50 square-meter (538 square-foot) urban plot. ​

Mini has turned its hand to tackling the problem of urban overcrowding. The Mini Living installation at Salone de Mobile in Milan is a concept apartment that uses folding modules to create a shareable, reconfigurable space for inner-city urbanites.

Heineken crowdsourced a design for a futuristic nightclub that popped up at Milan Design Week.

Gizmag's top three picks from the Milan Design Week 2012 range from innovative design and ecological use of materials to wish-list outdoor kitchens.

KeepCup is an ecological solution to coffee-on-the-go that attempts to blend the best elements of disposable and reusable cups.

The Salone del Mobile in Milan showcases thousands of home-furnishing designs from around the globe.