The Compasso D’Oro Museum Will Open in Milan

The ADI Compasso d’Oro Design Museum will be a cultural center, hosting the products awarded since 1954, the headquarters of ADI, a library and a historical archive

ADI Compasso d’Oro Design Museum, rendering of the project by Migliore + Servetto Architects and Italo Lupi

Luciano Galimberti, President of ADI www.adi-design.org, and Umberto Cabini, President of ADI Compasso d’Oro Collection Foundation, have announced the upcoming opening of the ADI Compasso d’Oro Design Museum in Milan, in a former industrial area between via Ceresio and via Bramante, near the city center. There will finally be a venue for the permanent exhibition of the objects that have become icons of Italian design all over the world!

ADI Compasso d’Oro Design Museum, rendering of the project by Migliore + Servetto Architects and Italo Lupi

Il nuovo museo è inteso come un “teatro del design” dove il visitatore sarà immerso in esperienze sensoriali, formative ed emozionali, affermano Mara Servetto e Ico Migliore con Italo Lupi, architetti cui è stato affidato il progetto di allestimento della struttura. La realizzazione è stata possibile grazie anche a Comune di Milano, Regione Lombardia e Fondazione ADI.

‘Museo Narrante’, drawing by Ico Migliore

An area of over 5,000 sq m – more than half reserved for exhibition and display purposes – will showcase the over 2,300 products awarded over time and, every two years, those acquired during the next editions of the awards. It will be a training centre for students and a cultural space open to the general public, where objects will ‘tell’ themselves also through digital tools.

‘Lettera 22’, macchina da scrivere portatile di Marcello Nizzoli per ING. C. OLIVETTI & Spa, Compasso d’Oro, I Edizione 1954

A reference point for creative, productive, economic activities, the area will host, along with the museum, the ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale) and ADI Foundation offices, meeting rooms, the ADI library and historical archive, a bookshop and an area dedicated to catering.

‘Zizi’, giocattolo di Bruno Munari per PIGOMMA, Premio Compasso d’Oro 1954, I Edizione

The new museum will go beyond the disciplinary boundaries of design to open up to all contemporary realities and will be guided by the Steering Committee with Walter de Silva and Giulio Ceppi, designers, Luca Molinari and Beppe Finessi, architecture and design historians, Paolo Borzatta, Director of The European House-Ambrosetti, Alberto Spinelli, Confindustria Lombardia, Claudio Feltrin, President of Assarredo, Vincenzo Gringoli, Bain&Company and Monica Maggioni, Rai.

The Collection of the objects awarded during nearly 70 years – the award was born in 1954 as a brainchild of Giò Ponti – was recognized as being of exceptional historical and artistic interest by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities in 2004. [Text Giulia Bruno]

‘BU’, sewing machine by Marcello Nizzoli for Vittorio Necchi Spa, Compasso d’Oro award 1954, I Edition

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