It’s been about a year since the Fondazione Prada officially opened its doors to the public in May 2015. With fashion icon Miuccia Prada at the helm, and head curator Germano Celant by her side, the Milan art institution has already mounted a series of ambitious exhibitions that reflect Mrs. Prada’s personal art collection as well as her invested interest in artists and the arts.

While we look forward to what the Fondazione Prada has in store, here we take a look back at its beginnings. From architectural model (pictured top), to the early days of construction, we get a behind the scenes look at the how the building site developed into what visitors from all over the world experience today. 

The bottom center image features Nancy Reddin Kienholz (center) visiting the Fondazione Prada for the first time since its completion. In May 2016, the institution will be presenting Five Car Stud (1969-1972), a seminal and controversial tableau created by Nancy’s deceased husband Edward Kienholz. The exhibition will also feature important works created by both Ed and Nancy from 1959 to 1994. More details to come!