As the Italian capital of design, Milan is getting ready to welcome Salone del Mobile, the annual fair entirely dedicated to design, running from the 14th through the 19th of April 2015, a must be place for all design lovers and experts (and not only), which aims to promote Italian furniture and it’s now considered as the most hotly anticipated event in the world of international and national furniture, for welcoming every year the most brilliant and talented designers from all over the world.
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During Design Week, Milan shows off its innovative soul with many exhibitions on the theme of design and furniture. But Milan has gained the title of Italian capital of design for expressing this vocation in every single spot, every moment of the year. From museums to libraries, passing by restaurants and shopping centers, it has plenty of places where design and innovation are the absolute protagonists, spots which include the best of design creations from all over the world and are design masterpieces for themselves.
One of main stages for contemporary and modern art in town, La Triennale di Milano was designed by Italian architect Giovanni Muzio and built between 1931 and 1933. It consists of a real design architecture thought to contain the most impressive works of art, a building conceived by Giovanni Muzio himself as a flexible container which most important aim was to represent a multiuse organism, truly innovative for the times. Today it is a mirror of artistic and architectural culture which hosts some of the most relevant and significant design exhibitions, such as cultural production center of contemporary art, meetings, film festivals and travelling exhibitions. A design work of art containing design masterpieces.
Triennale di Milano
Viale Alemagna, 6, Milan
Phone: +39 02 724 341
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Located in Palazzo dell’Arengario, Museo del Novecento (Museum of the Twentieth Century) includes some of the most representative Milan’s collection of Twentieth-Century Art. Built between 1936 and 1956 by architects Portaluppi, Muzio, Magistretti and Griffini, its Candoglia marble façade is decorated by Arturo Martini’s vegetal motif bas-reliefs. Palazzo dell’Arengario ended a process of urban renovation of the center of Milan, designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni, whose aim was giving a monumental touch to the area surrounding the Dome.
Renovated in 2009 by architects Italo Rota and Fabio Fornasari, its building is composed by two bodies representing the passage from antiquity to modernity. It hosts some of the most precious works from Futurism and Modern Art, including masterpieces from Balla, Picasso, De Quirico, Morandi and famous The Fourth Estate by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo. It also boasts a flight of stairs (140 meters), which culminates in an amazing terrace from which visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the piazza Duomo.
Museo del Novecento
Palazzo dell’Arengario, Via Marconi, 1, Milan
Phone: +39 02 8844 4061
PAC – PADIGLIONE D’ARTE CONTEMPORANEA
As one of the first examples of Italian architecture conceived to host contemporary art, PAC has been projected by Italian architect Ignazio Gardella in 1948. It is built around a central building on three levels, the lowest of which communicates through bright glass window with the garden of Villa Reale. A unique place, which hosts not only contemporary art exhibitions but also some of the most relevant photographic monographs from illustrious photographers from all over the world.
Pac – Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea
Via Palestro, 14, Milan
Phone: +39 02 8844 6359
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As a place where production, exhibition and promotion of contemporary art meet, Hangar Bicocca is a vast redeveloped industrial complex formerly owned by Ansaldo-Breda company, set up in 2004 and now owned by Pirelli group. It regularly hosts young talents and design exhibitions in a unique setting where the industrial atmosphere gives an even more artistic touch to all the art and design exhibitions which here take place.
Hangar Bicocca
Via Chiese, 2, Milan
Phone: +39 02 6611 1573
Looking for design works and pieces of furniture out of Salone del Mobile and Design Week? Have a look at SPAZIO900 the place where all designers’ dreams come true. Right, because SPAZIO900, is a point of reference for lovers of modern and vintage Italian and international design from 50’s to 80’s. The perfect place all amongst you searching, collecting or who are just curious about items from 50’s and on.
Spazio 900
Viale Campania, 51, Milan
Phone: +39 02 7012 5737
Opened in 2002, Spazio Rossana Orlandi was a former tie factory, which is now a store developed around a green courtyard and composed by 2 floors, where you can find not only contemporary and vintage furniture but also a gallery, entirely dedicated to limited editions and unique pieces, in a wonderful setting which aim is to forecast and promote young and talented designers from all around the world. The right place to have a cup of tea while enjoying the most brilliant and creative design works from emergent artists and designers.
Spazio Rossana Orlandi
Via Matteo Bandello, 14-16, Milan
+39 02 467 4471
Galleria Colombari is the must go place for all amongst you who love to be immersed in an innovative atmosphere and are looking for unique pieces of design and furniture. A gallery conceived to find the most precious twentieth century work of arts by architects and designers such as Giò Ponti, Osvaldo Borsani, Ico Parisi, Franco Albini, Fontana Arte, Joe Colombo, Ettore Sottsass, and Alessandro Mendini.
Galleria Colombari
Via Pietro Maroncelli, 11, Milan
Phone: +39 02 2900 1551
Projected by Bruno Rainaldi, ENTRATALIBERA is a 800 square meter space, displaying design works and contemporary art. ENTRATALIBERA is conceived to inspire all design lovers and people in general to furnish their homes in a contemporary and highly individual ways, a true workshop opened to research as the name suggests (Entrance Free) where to be delighted by design, art and a rich program of special events.
ENTRATALIBERA
Corso Indipendenza, 16, Milan
Phone: +39 02 7000 6147
Design Library is the place in Milan where art, innovation and books meet in a unique concept space where all the designers amongst you will find their little piece of heaven on earth. Design library is part of an international cultural project which aim is to create the first worldwide design libraries network for university, companies, designers and media, a unique place in town where enjoying a cup if coffee while reading about your favorite designers.
Design Library
Via Savona, 11, Milan
Phone: +39 02 4953 7410
After a day spent walking trough museums, design stores and contemporary libraries, why don’t end up the day with a dinner in one of the most contemporary and design inspired restaurants in town? Spazio Bianca is the perfect place for all amongst you who are looking for one of the most delicious fish based cuisine in town to enjoy while surrounded by a white and modern atmosphere. Try to believe it!
