Ron Gilad brings fresh perspective to the Molteni Museum’s Glass Cube in Giussano
Former Wallpaper* Milan editor and current Triennale Design Museum director Marco Sammicheli spoke to Ron Gilad and Giulia Molteni for our Summer 2020 issue to find out about the museum’s plans
an exhibition space with a short but storied history
The original museum, designed by Jasper Morrison in a renovated factory building
bringing together 48 key Molteni Group designs
a 400 sq m space designed by Gilad for temporary exhibitions
Morrison’s display was removed to make way for extra showroom space and Gilad was charged with repurposing his transparent pavilion
to provide a setting for the group’s permanent collection of historic furniture as well as for temporary exhibitions.
The new museum is divided by angular walls that create a series of distinct spaces
Historic photographs and documents are presented on a system of wooden boards
What was an open courtyard at the heart of the building has been covered to create a central gallery
now with a large skylight and perfect for hanging two-dimensional pieces
whereas the spaces that make up the rest of the pavilion are much more agile and able to feature objects and large items of furniture.
The series of right angles that make up the new layout give an idea of perspective from the outside and create movement
The perimeter of the perfectly square building is almost entirely transparent except for the solid walls that serve as the two external sides of a new enclosed courtyard positioned in one corner
What was space for electrics and services has now been opened up with internal glass walls apparently floating on the white gravel
This part of the museum features designs by Gio Ponti, and Afra and Tobia Scarpa, and Aldo Rossi’s theatre seats designed in collaboration with Luca Meda
Another section explores the technological innovations that have resulted from collaborations with the likes of Norman Foster
Rodolfo Dordoni and Vincent Van Duysen.
physical artefacts are given digital context
Molteni has produced documentaries and digital animations that chart the company’s history; these are screened within the new museum and available online.
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The giussano has suffered an injury, it is the Polish winger Marzena Marciniak. The Civitanova team is forced to find a solution to overshadow the absence of the Binci, coach Padovano can entrust the expert Veronica Perini the team leader and throw into the fray the Azzurra guard Streni, born in 2006.
Text description provided by the architects. The project comes from the idea of continuing the dialogue between different domestic environments. The transformation of the ground floor of the entire headquarters becomes a linear redevelopment system with the creation of a new courtyard.
Cloister-like, this outdoor space expresses the willingness to accompany all guests from the entrance to the heart of the company showroom.
PlanColumned pathways punctuate and filter the view of the garden where the new outdoor series and future collections, arranged like sculptures, are integrated with the greenery. Two large horizontal concrete elements, the floor, and ceiling, contain essential dark volumes and emphasize the spaces within.
reinvigorates the character of the compound thanks to the addition of outdoor spaces
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BASF’s new Chemetall site in Italy comes on the back of a strong market cap for the German chemicals giant
BASF Surface Treatment unit Chemetall has opened a new Global Aluminium Competence Centre in Giussano
The new centre brings together Chemetall’s “comprehensive competencies in the area of surface treatment in aluminium”
including research and development activities
“The new global Aluminium Competence Centre will allow us to bring new surface treatment to the market faster,” said Frank Naber
“The centralisation of our research and development activities for aluminium will result in pioneering technologies that solve the challenges of our global customers
Italy is one of the largest EU markets with a strong manufacturing base
According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2023
foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the country reached $19.9bn (€18.53bn)
which was surprising after it recorded a disinvestment of $9bn that same year
predominantly as a result of the Covid pandemic
accounting for 60.1% of the total inward FDI stock in 2021
while FDI in mining and quarrying and agriculture stood at 0.6% and 0.4% in 2021
Northern and central Italy generated more than three-quarters (77.6%) of the country’s gross domestic product in 2021
it was home to only 66.2% of the country’s population
Aluminium is the world’s most used non-ferrous metal and is widely used in the production of many consumer goods including cans and kitchen foil
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For BASF, the recent investment in Italy comes on the back of other investments announced across Europe and Asia. In September 2023, the German chemicals giant announced plans to double its production capacity for acrylic acid-based
water-soluble dispersants at its site in Dilovasi
Speaking about the new Aluminium Competence Centre at Giussano
said: “We are very proud to play a key role in the research and development for our global aluminium business in Giussano
Our team has great expertise in development and application technologies and has achieved remarkable success in areas such as neutral cleaners and plastic recycling
“In close collaboration with our global technology teams and through partnerships with universities and research communities
innovative technologies for the aluminium market,” Polzot added
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Home » News » Markets & Companies » Chemetall celebrates the opening of a new global aluminum competence center in Italy
Chemetall bundles its expertise in the surface treatment of aluminum in one laboratory
development priorities and customer and market requirements
the existing Chemetall site in Giussano was identified as the best option
The centralization of research and development activities for aluminium will enable Chemetall to develop technologies even faster and more efficiently
“The new global aluminum competence center enables us to bring new surface treatment solutions to the market faster,” says Frank Naber
“The aluminum competence center at our Giussano site is a strategically important step in expanding our technological leadership
As a lightweight metal with high availability
aluminum plays an important role in architecture
as pure aluminum has different mechanical properties compared to other materials such as steel
not only the mechanical characteristics change
but also the chemical and corrosive properties of aluminum
This fact poses chemical challenges for pretreatment solutions,” says Arjan Termaten
Director and Head of Global Technology at Chemetall
Demand for sustainable products continues to grow — but decorative coatings must also be durable
Striking the right balance is one of the greatest challenges facing the..
has introduced three regional entities in Germany
The aim is to decentralise the company’s structure
have inaugurated a new laboratory in Shanghai
The centre aims to strengthen innovation capabilities in the region
US chemicals group Dow is considering the shutdown of two energy-intensive plants in Schkopau and Böhlen
The decision follows market overcapacities
rising costs and increasing regulatory pressures...
Duncan Taylor will take over as interim CEO of Allnex on May 1
who will retire from the company on June 30
Taylor will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer..
Marcus Jordan has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IMCD N.V
Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions in our FAQ collection
Molteni&C presents its updated showroom inside the headquarters at Giussano
also open to virtual visits thanks to an interactive platform
“Since the Salone del Mobile has been canceled twice
discovering a new digital platform to present our new projects to the public and the world,” says Van Duysen
“We have also decided to redesign the showroom in Giussano
through a virtual tour to reveal all the new developments and the atmosphere I have created for 2020
the products for 2020 in various domestic settings: starting with the living area
divides and organizes an office corner thanks to the built-in desk; also by Van Duysen
the Octave seating system is based on modular elements to create linear or corner compositions
or unusual configurations by inserting suspended trapezoidal or rectangular segments
the XY composition by Francesco Meda is based on Cartesian coordinates to organize modules and parts
The dining zone features the Devon seating family by Rodolfo Dordoni
together with Half a Square by Michael Anastassiades
in keeping with the style of the designer from Cyprus
furnished with the new Azul bed by Nicola Gallizia and the wardrobe organized with Gliss Master by Van Duysen
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The entrance of Molteni's new Giussano showroom
created by Vincent Van Duysen as a visual manifesto of his approach to the project
A fireplace separates this first floor bedroom from the walk in closet
A study area visible from one of the house's walk-in closets
a wall of greenery separates the multifunctional and modular Sistema XY kitchen by Francesco Meda from the living areas nearby
A view of the VVD kitchen by Vincent Van Duysen
Its rich material palette includes steel base units doors, ceppo worktops with integrated sink
graphite oak snack worktop with a pewter structure and matt lacquered lead columnns
with Michael Anastassiades' Half a Square table and Barbican chairs by Rodolfo Dordoni
Vincent Van Duysen's new Hector bookshelf divides the space from the nearby living area
while on the opposite wall is an artwork by Brazilian artist Pietro Pasolini
a sitting room features Gio Ponti's D.154.2 chairs
originally designed in the 1950s for Villa Planchart in Caracas
On the wall is the Hector bookcase by Vincent Van Duysen
Molteni&C unveils a new look for its Giussano showroom
available through a virtual portal that lets visitors experience the space and collections
Molteni&C has unveiled a virtual portal that offers guests an immersive experience of its new showroom
designed by the company’s creative director Vincent Van Duysen at the Giussano headquarters and now available through an online portal
‘Daily life pushes us to perceive the spaces also in a virtual way
dreaming and imagining of crossing the two worlds,’ comments Van Duysen
who was tasked to imagine a multifunctional space that represented a domestic environment and gave a context to the company’s timeless design collections.
in the same way as we design private homes,’ says Van Duysen
‘The central theme was the transition between one room to the next: just like in the Milanese palaces
we emphasized the doors as portals between the rooms
working with metal finishes and a sober and elegant design.’ His approach is apparent in the showroom’s entrance
a sort of visual manifesto for his work at Molteni&C: ‘for me it is important to enter and feel immediately in a safe and welcoming space
it is from here that you start taking in Molteni’s soul and house.’
came from his several talks with the Molteni family
and from their desire to open to new horizons and markets
while looking at the cultures of the world
‘We worked on the spatial hierarchy of environments
with architectural elements such as columns or fireplaces
stairs and double heights to enrich the visual and sensory experience,’ continues the architect
Each room is discreetly designed to represent different interpretations of living and being
One of the key pieces from this year’s collections which features in the space is Van Duysen’s Hector bookcase
‘For me this is definitely the protagonist
a versatile system with infinite configurations designed to be a room divider or wall mounted
that lends itself well to become an integral part of new environments.’ The space also includes the new Half a Square table by Michael Anastassiades
characterized by a minimal design based on a triangular shape that gives structure to the piece.
Just as important as the physical visit, the immersive virtual tour (available via molteniexperience.com) discreetly guides visitors through the showroom
allowing them to explore its rooms freely or through a floorplan – replicating the experience of navigating a space in person and understanding its context
Clicking on the rooms’ contents opens up a detailed guide which includes accurate information on each piece complete with information on the design
The virtual showroom is developed on the fine line between experiential and informative
becoming an escape as well as a practical tool to explore the furniture collections by Molteni and Dada kitchens.
The experience of a global pandemic and working in isolation has informed Van Duysen’s design as well as the dual fruition of the space
‘It was a reflective and introspective moment
during which we thought about the essence of design and the importance of wellness and wellbeing
sustainability and the beauty of inner peace.’
A tour of Molteni's new showroom is available through molteniexperience.com
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine
she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*
where she oversees design content for the print and online editions
she has written extensively about all areas of design
Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week
Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award
the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks
She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications
and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands
"In the playout matches the tension is very high - says Mazzetti - being able to play game 2 with the score at 1-0 gives us a lot of confidence. For now the girls deserve a round of applause, but we know that Wednesday will be a completely different story and we have a very hard task ahead of us to complete the job".
by Yuri FerroOn Sunday 26th May a meeting of the Brianza members with the Milan North Coordination of the Fiat 500 Club Italia took place at the Giussano lake (MB)
During the celebration of the feast of the church of San Francesco in the town of Brianza
25 cars colored and entertained the cheering crowd; after a tasty lunch kindly offered by the Lake Committee
the group of 500 moved to a trip to the Ghisallo hill to admire this part of the Lombardy territory from its height
also the little member Federico who cultivates the same passion as his father (i.e
{gallery}coord_milano_nord/laghettogiussano24{/gallery}
the event took place in Piazza Gramsci in Cinisello Balsamor (MI) the static gathering “La carica delle 500”
as part of the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of our Club
The event took place during the opening day of the first edition of “Cini Motor Fest”
an entire weekend of motorsports celebrations that attracted many enthusiasts of all ages
a real motorsports “paddock” was set up in the town center with stands and workshops of the sector as well as a go-kart circuit and a latest-generation driving simulator that entertained adults and children in complete safety.During the event
escorted by the local police and a group of Vespa riders from the nearby city club
there was a farewell parade of members on board their 500s through the streets of the city
concluding the route with the Visit of Villa Ghirlanda and its garden
one of the most interesting and best preserved historic residences of public property in Lombardy (1660)
an aperitif in the square accompanied by the music of the Jova Band in a tribute concert.A warm thank you to the crews
to the Municipality of Cinisello Balsamo for the invitation and to the entire local police command for the perfect success of the event
{gallery}coord_milano_nord/cinisellobalsamo24{/gallery}
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Designed by the brand’s creative director Vincent Van Duysen: the Molteni Compound
An expansion of about 1400 square meters at the headquarters of Molteni&C in Giussano (MB)
the Molteni Pavilion has been designed by the creative director of the brand
Vincent Van Duysen: a project that transforms what was once a production plant into a “manifesto of thought”: the Molteni Compound
This is a multifunctional building to welcome visitors
but also to provide innovative spaces for the staff
with a particular focus on the new needs of hybrid working
The entrance for guests has been reconfigured
and a new building set aside as a reception area forms a prelude to pathways with columns that punctuate and filter the view of the garden
The garden design by landscape architect Marco Bay has been formulated as a series of outdoor rooms
in which the new offerings of the Molteni&C | Outdoor collection are arranged like sculptures
The new expansion follows the initiatives that in the mid-1980s and 1990s revised the layout of the company’s spaces
including the showroom and the main entrance
It is the first work of architecture created by Van Duysen inside the company
“The Compound addition reflects the intention of Gruppo Molteni to offer a 360-degree holistic experience for visitors
The new areas bring a fresh influx of innovation and modernity to the headquarters,” the creative director says
“The project stems from the idea of creating a continuous dialogue between domestic settings and outdoor spaces
besides the new pavilion and the transformation of the existing ground floor
I have put great emphasis on the outdoor zones.”
with completely glazed walls that open to the outside in a harmonious continuum
The furnishings have been specifically developed by Vincent Van Duysen: benches derived from the Paul sofa
The custom lamps have been produced by Nemo Lighting based on a design by the Belgian creative director
with the showroom on the left and the factory straight ahead
The reception area features an ’Elain’ armchair
two ’Yoell’ armchairs and a ’Stripe’ rug
as well as furniture designed by Van Duysen
including his new ‘Janet’ chairs
The table settings were selected by Van Duysen and food writer Csaba dalla Zorza
Vincent Van Duysen’s pavilion for Molteni HQ offers a sleek and secluded spot for social engagements
and Patricia Urquiola’s 2006 Spazio Q alla M (a multimedia centre dedicated to the company’s past and future)
designed by Luca Meda with elements by Aldo Rossi
‘The compound is a testament to the history of Molteni & C and the great names of design and architecture that have worked with the company,’ says Molteni’s chief marketing officer Giulia Molteni.
Molteni & C has now unveiled a new chapter in the compound’s architectural history with a pavilion complex by its creative director
adding a hospitality element to the brand experience
which is Van Duysen’s first architectural project for Molteni
which is punctuated on one side by a discreet colonnade
which is designed to serve as a reception area and restaurant and hospitality space surrounded by cloistered gardens
The ground floor of the showroom has also been redesigned and has since been dubbed the Luca Meda Room
in honour of the designer’s work as Molteni’s creative director from 1968 until his death in 1998
Meda was instrumental in the company’s transformation from being a traditional maker of classic furniture to a global contemporary design brand
When Van Duysen joined the company in 2016
the scope of the collaboration was to merge his minimalist rigour with a Mediterranean flavour
something he has demonstrated over the years with products and interiors
‘Molteni is interested in seeing its pieces come alive in the context of architecture
placing them within a much broader cultural aura,’ says Van Duysen
‘This interaction and synergy between architecture and furniture relates to the art of living in a very modern way.’
The designer feels that the new building blends well with the original 1950s architecture
‘It’s a continuation of that language that I took over in a modern but not obstructive way
It has a lot of respect for the existing building
The extension represents Molteni’s determination to create a holistic
The design encompasses a series of covered walkways
from the security check-in area to the reception and restaurant and to the ground-floor showroom
The cloistered gardens are by Italian landscape architect Marco Bay
mixing textures and heights to express the idea of nature evolving over time
The outdoor spaces will also be used to showcase the brand’s outdoor furniture collections
The restaurant will be a key aspect of the pavilion
and will form an innovative approach for Molteni & C: overlooking the gardens
‘The collaboration with Vincent has always followed the evolution of living,’ says Giulia Molteni
we have deemed it a necessity to reach a simplicity of forms
shedding the superfluous and looking to incorporate warmth
Everything in the space was designed by Van Duysen
from the benches inspired by his ‘Paul’ sofa to new tables designed for the occasion and the ‘Janet’ chairs
a 2022 addition to the Molteni & C catalogue
The architect also conceived the lighting in collaboration with Nemo Lighting
The restaurant’s details create an atmosphere that reflects the Italian » approach to hosting
and its interiors ‘represent the soul of the company,’ explains Giulia Molteni
Molteni & C enlisted Italian food writer and television personality Csaba dalla Zorza
who worked closely with Van Duysen to select objects that connect with his aesthetic vision
while the food offering was entrusted to the Bergamo-based Vicook
a branch of local three-Michelin-starred restaurant Da Vittorio
whose gastronomic offerings include Italian classics such as paccheri al pomodoro (a pasta dish served with generous helpings of slow-cooked tomato sauce and Parmesan) and cotoletta alla Milanese (deep-fried breaded veal cutlets)
‘We are proud to host within our compound a piece of architecture designed by our creative director,’ says Molteni Group chairman Carlo Molteni
‘A contemporary addition that is integrated into the historic site and signals the company’s path towards the future.’
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MOVIE REVIEW: Barbarossa – Siege Lord
I also order all the Milanese to leave the city before sunset
in all different directions so that no one will be able to call themselves Milanese and the name “milan” will be deleted from all maps.” ~ Barbarossa
coincides with tomorrow’s 838th anniversary of the famed Battle of Legnano
This was the battle Alberto won for the Milanese against Barbarossa’s Imperial army
The movie details the beginnings of the war between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines and is actually less about Barbarossa himself and more about the fight for Milanese independence against the Emperor’s encroachment by the legendary Italian hero
take the Emperor’s German army head on at the Battle of Legnano to show him that he can’t have Milan
played by Dutch veteran Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner
Buffy the Vampire Slayer) being saved from goring by a wild boar
The young boy who saves him is none other than Alberto da Giussano played by Israeli actor
This scene historically never happened and just lends itself to jump starting the plot line
Barbarossa visits visionary nun Hildegard of Bingen
played by Ángelina Molina (The Obscure Object of Desire) who warns him about crossing water and his pending demise
Alberto is in love with a strange girl named Eleanora
played by Polish actress Kasia Smutniak (From Paris with Love)
She’s accused of being a witch because she can see things before they happen and she uses her abilities to warn Alberto of pending disaster
Their love story runs along the background and doesn’t add anything of value to the movie
it’s just there to appeal to women I suppose
The love story could easily have been left on the cutting room floor to shave forty minutes off a two hour movie that was way too long
Beatrice I of Burgundy played by Cécil Cassel (Sex and the City)
She has a few angry lines but is rather forgettable
deprive them of food and sleep their will to fight will diminish day by day” ~ Barbarossa
Barbarossa arrives in Milan and plans to starve the Milanese out
There are a few cool battle scenes with archers
trebuchets and siege warfare but it’s all rather Hollywood in execution with explosions that would make Michael Bay proud
The movie is pretty awful but there were a few redeeming scenes
One of the better ones was when Barbarossa captures some of the Milanese and ties them to siege towers forcing their countrymen to shoot them
It’s a heart wrenching scene as the men strapped to the towers are telling their comrades to kill them and the men behind the walls are distraught and devastated to have to shoot their family and friends
They decide to shoot at their men and it forces the Germans to retreat
An angry and grieving Alberto decides to sneak into the German camp and encounters Barbarossa who remembers the youth who saved him from the boar those many years ago
Barbarossa doesn’t call the guards and releases him because he remembers that Alberto saved his life
Alberto discovers a traitor in their midst going to visit Barbarossa’s camp
The Lombard League are betrayed and brought before Barbarossa and he orders Milan raised to the ground and that all the Milanese are scattered so that no one will ever be able to call themselves Milananese again
Barbarossa is crowned in Rome while the former Milanese nobles meet in secret at a monastery to plot their revenge by forming the fabled
who is normally a decent actor comes across an impassive and imposing Frederick Barbarossa
but he’s not good and his accent is atrocious – he sounds like Clint Eastwood delivering Dirty Harry lines
He could’ve at least tried to put on some kind of German accent; instead he sounds like someone from a Spaghetti Western
his performance is the best of the lot with Alberto running around yelling lines like William Wallace
looking like Aragorn and acting like Robin Hood
Homeland) gets lost in this mess as the evil traitor Siniscalco Barozzi
He’s the only other actor with any decent skill to make this movie watchable
This was two hours of my life that I will never get back
cheesy but decent moments but it’s marred by the horrific dubbing
It really tried too hard to be an epic movie but it came off as a sophomoric attempt at best
Unless you’re a glutton for punishment
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