Since its opening in 2015, the Mandarin Oriental Milan has strived to become a part of Milan’s lifestyle experience. To act as a point of reference for the Milanese community, says Finardi, is its goal. «Courtyards represent Milan. Every building here has a courtyard, though before the 1990s these were closed, or exclusively for guests of the residences. Milan has now evolved, and today courtyards are open to the public». This mission to be a lifestyle destination, accessible en masse, is addressed via the hotel’s design features.