This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The former SNIA factory in the Milan suburb of Varedo will be a new location for Alcova in 2025 an existing Alcova location that will feature again in 2025 will expand its footprint with two new locations in the northern Milan suburb of Varedo – a former factory and ancient greenhouses but not simply by revisiting familiar spaces,' said Joseph Grima Alcova’s co-founder alongside curator Valentina Ciuffi There are two other sites we have passed dozens of times going to and from Villa Bagatti Valsecchi and Villa Borsani which have wonderful charm and are completely different from the spaces we have already occupied.' located adjacent to the Varedo train station will play host to Alcova’s expansion ‘It’s one of the most avant-garde factories of the beginning of the last century,' continued Grima describing the long-abandoned industrial facility 'It was a great innovator in synthetic fabrics but above all an extraordinary piece of architecture from the Rationalist period.' The second new Milan location will be the Pasino glasshouses a series of ancient greenhouses on the grounds of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi that once nurtured Europe’s largest collection of white orchids 'These greenhouses have been dormant for decades now,' said Grima 'but they have a magical quality of light that immediately made us realise that we had to find a way to activate them.' which will take place in the River Inn in the city’s South River Drive Historic District alcova.xyz escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox is a Canadian-born journalist covering design She regularly contributes to a range of international publications including T: The New York Times Style Magazine and is about to publish a book on Italian interiors.  Porta Venezia is a vibrant and evolving district you will discover new epicenters: like Varedo which brings together no less than three design big events The largest diffusion magazine in the luxury & design world Privacy Policy(function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script") tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load" false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload" loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window Kieron Marchese Kieron is a freelance writer and Digital Consultant who doesn't consider himself a design lover but a user of design - which to him is more than enough Alcova From a former abattoir to a panettone factory and even a serene convent on the outskirts of Milan Alcova has always been synonymous with redefining space through the lens of design as the design show enters its seventh edition the spotlight shifts to Villa Borsani and Villa Bagatti Valsecchi two villas near the Lombard capital where contemporary design intertwines with historical grandeur from April 15th to 21st.  Founded by curators Valentina Ciuffi and Joseph Grima this itinerant project of Milan Design Week has continuously pushed boundaries offering access to rarely seen locations and sparking dialogue with their unique architectural character Following its recent international debut at the 1950s Selena Gold Dust Motel during Design Miami 2023 promising a convergence of emerging and independent designers With over 70 exhibitors showcasing their visionary works, this year’s edition promises to be a celebration of design in its purest form. DesignWanted invites you to explore a curated selection of highlights from Alcova below… Italian designer Harry Thaler approached Milan Design Week with a playful attitude, designing warm and organic shapes, daring with sometimes unexpected and unimaginable proportions. A dune-like, futuristic landscape is the backdrop for his latest furniture collection, a collaboration with 3D-printed material brand econitWood™️ the collection showcases the brand’s recently developed 3D printing method which employs wood waste from sawmills and timber harvesting and ensures the maximum optimisation of raw materials.  The result is a sound-absorbing material with incredible thermal insulation for a potential final product that can be considered CO2 neutral which Thaler uses to create inviting and sinuous seats and lamps that appear to emerge from the ground like clusters of fungi “The exhibition attempts to challenge and stretch further the boundaries of traditional architecture and design an answer to our insatiable desire for innovation and sustainable living,” explains Harry Thaler “Porta dei Colori,” translating to “Gateway of Colours,” stands as Linda Bergroth’s latest collaboration with surface manufacturer Durat Following her transformative work at the brand’s Helsinki showroom in 2022 Bergroth has once again been enlisted by Durat to harness its terrazzo-like surface material for an impactful installation nestled within the historic architecture of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi.  which takes over an arcade in the villa’s garden boasts a vibrant palette inspired by the earthy tones of the surrounding colonnade With a clear aim to showcase the expansive range and versatility of Durat’s colour and pattern offerings the installation presents a curated selection of 25 colours and patterns from Durat’s extensive portfolio a solid surface material that it claims is the world’s first to blend PET resin derived from recycled materials with recycled solid surface Durat Plus uses an impressive composition of up to 80% recycled content embodying the brand’s commitment to sustainability How does a brand known for its pendant lights showcase its creations in a space where interventions are limited In the timeless grandeur of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi’s 17th-century interiors Vancouver-based lighting company A-N-D boldly adapts its Vale light collection originally conceived as chandeliers but seamlessly reimagined to be floor standing Inspired by the classical Greek Doric Column visitors are invited to engage with these radiant structures which are presented alongside a colourful platformed rug designed by Bethan Laura Wood for Italian brand cc-tapis and a blue fibreglass couch by Turkish studio Uma Objects Vale integrates effortlessly with the historic ambiance boasting sinuous curves of glass enveloping a delicate light strip connected edge to edge A-N-D’s Column collection emerges as a majestic forest of thick stacked to create another immersive experience Bitossi Ceramiche’s Torsi Collection breathes new life into Alcova’s historical setting with bursts of vibrant colour and classical inspiration Designed by New York- and Thessaloniki-based design studio Torsi draws upon ancient Greek and Italian ceramic traditions reimagining the classical column as stackable vases These cylindrical and semi-cylindrical vessels offer versatility in arrangement as they are on the occasion of Milan Design Week.  these ceramic pieces redefine the conventional notion of garden planters transforming them into sculptural elements that interact dynamically with their surroundings Placed under the arches of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi ironically rooted in Bitossi’s rich ceramic tradition that dates back to the founding of its factory in 1921 Visitors must scale the steps of a historic icehouse to discover Maniera’s showcase of furniture by Japanese architect Junya Ishigami In striking contrast to their surroundings—a precursor of the modern refrigerator 7 metres deep underground—the Belgian gallery presents Ishigami’s latest creations accentuating the designer’s subtle and refined aesthetic.   The new furniture collection consists of several chairs and tables that reimagine the inherent stiffness of materials like steel They include the Zaisu low chair and a glass table both originally conceptualised for Ishigami’s cave-like House & Restaurant in the city of Ube two partitions and several lamps are on display each one with an ethereal quality that interacts beautifully with the light and shadow defining its surroundings.  The historical Sant’Anselmo brickworks unveils its new research lab Terraformae alongside its latest approach to terracotta Pushing the boundaries of traditional production it has unveiled a series of terracotta tiles with a unique terrazzo effect achieved through the inventive use of scraps from other materials.  Led by the brand’s art director Sveva Bizzotto this process involves using scraps from the processing of other materials resulting in tiles with a playful and delicate appearance while still honouring the essence of the original material these tiles come together to form small built elements showcasing their potential to transform interiors into bespoke works of art Madrid-based designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón brings the architecture of northern Ghana to Milan with artisans belonging to the Frafra tribe a subset of the Gurunsi people of northern Ghana he has commissioned several large-format pieces that preserve traditional weaving techniques from the area whilst depicting traditional buildings in the area and the families that inhabit them These traditional buildings represent the local residential architectural model of Gurunsi built from adobe and wood They house a family unit in circular structures The brand’s other flagship project is the PET lamp a product of an initiative that began in 2012 to address the global plastic waste problem The initiative has since seen Álvaro Catalán de Ocón collaborate with artisan communities in Chile to transform discarded PET plastic bottles into unique lampshades that foster a cultural dialogue with the community in which it was made Catalán de Ocón is exhibiting the PET Lamp Gurunsi produced locally and defined as a generic model of the Frafra family compounds with local artisans.  “While the tapestries reproduce the exact blueprint of existing buildings the PET Lamp Gurunsi takes inspiration from the same architecture plans to create generic abstractions with multiple light points designed to be suspended from a ceiling,” the designer explains “Circles are organised around functional cores marked by reused PET bottles Crafted by New York-based designer Kickie Chudikova “Pulpopolis” serves as a love letter to the underwater realm—a captivating installation that celebrates the innate splendour of marine life The name “Pulpopolis” intertwines two concepts: “Pulpo,” representing octopi and other underwater creatures like jellyfish and corals that inspired the shapes of these glass creations and “Polis,” denoting “city” in Greek The collection comprises three intricately designed crystal glass lamps resembling ethereal medusas adrift in the sea Each one showcases a unique shape and size Murano glass’s signature vibrant hues adorn these pieces with each Pulpo exhibited in five distinct colours each one with a unifying red ring encircling the centre to signift passion Handcrafted by master glassblowers at the esteemed Berengo Studio in Murano the collection is surrounded by a similarly intricate wallpaper depicting a flourishing seascape produced in collaboration with Dandy Design Tokyo-based designer Ryuichi Kozeki unveils “Bel Air,” an updated version of his Diag Lamp first showcased at last year’s Milan Design Week Described by Kozeki as a celebration of the very “air” that surrounds us this latest iteration features a unique design which serve as lampshades to delicately diffuse light the bottom shell doubles as a functional tray “Bel Air” invites visitors to reconsider the relationship between light and space blurring the lines between function and artistry On display are 3D-printed prototypes that analyse and reconstruct the shape of a full-sized shell when it is broken as well as several variations that attempt to divide the shell and create the resulting shapes Copper and aluminium serve as the primary materials lending a touch of modern sophistication to the collection illuminating the abandoned outhouses of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi is “Aloof Light” a haunting vision of a dilapidated future by Singchan Design Amidst the abandoned outhouses of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi SINGCHAN DESIGN unveils traces of human craftsmanship emerge as the Guangzhou-based design studio delves into an intricate interplay between lighting they showcase various lamps from their “Fragment” series drawing inspiration from a cutting-edge vision of the future and the architectural precision of their designs angular forms achieved through precise folding intricately cut and fixed onto the stainless steel frames creating a delicate yet striking contrast of textures and materials get to know the most interesting Design trends & innovations (Innovative StartUp) Registered office: Via Aurelio Saffi 29 20123 Milan (Italy)  |  VAT no.: 10565330965  |  ROC no.: 36152  |  REA no.: MI-2541466  |  Share capital: 12.540€ Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Varedo is Abus’s mid-range shackle, meeting Sold Secure’s Silver rating It has a double-lock mechanism and parabolic shackle shape which helps resist twisting the Varedo resisted bolt cropping for 30 seconds at which point we realised it was a futile method and the Varedo twisted a little and then snapped in just 3.61 seconds This did some damage to our dummy frame but we’d broken though and got our prize The seventh edition of the independent off-fair will be held in two brand new locations Two of the most beautiful historic villas in the Milan metropolitan area have been chosen by Alcova as spaces for the next An independent platform for design launched in 2018 by Valentina Ciuffi and Joseph Grima rediscovering abandoned and almost unknown places in Milan during Design Week After launching an e-shop and the first edition in Miami the most awaited off-fair of the design season has presented the two locations that will be the stage of the seventh edition No longer the post-industrial scenario we were used to – which was the backdrop for the first editions in the former Panettoni Cova factory at the ex military hospital of Baggio and also last year at the former slaughterhouse – but two places of decidedly different character: two prestigious historical contexts in the municipality of Varedo where Alcova’s curated selection of experimental designers and companies investigating the future of living and making will be set up – as well as an ambitious program of conferences and performances a masterpiece of modernist residential architecture completed in 1945 by the architect Osvaldo Borsani as a family home adjacent to the production plants of the Borsani ABV furniture atelier (Arredamenti Borsani Varedo) it is a rare and perfectly preserved example of the architect’s richly layered modernist style which incorporates unique and distinctive artistic elements – such as a fireplace by Lucio Fontana Today it is preserved as a private residence by the descendants of the family and as the headquarters of the Osvaldo Borsani Archive one of the most significant examples of nineteenth-century villa architecture in Lombardy who used it as a summer retreat to escape the city heat and to entertain guests and friends The architecture of the villa is characterized by a massive central block flanked by two lower wings with terraced roofing A notable feature of the villa is its portico supported by fifteenth-century columns from the Lazzaretto of Milan (the historic plague hospital) when it was demolished The villa is surrounded by extensive gardens divided into two distinct styles: formal Italian garden at the back The Villa is today preserved and managed by the La Versiera 1718 Foundation as Alcova 2024 will take place at Villa Borsani and Villa Bagatti Valsecchi just outside Milan (15 – 21 April 2024) the fair pushes further and into more traditional locations with two historical villas that have contributed to the history of Metropolitan Milan Villa Borsani was completed in 1945 and was designed by architect Osvaldo Borsani for his family the house features stunning elements such as a fireplace by Lucio Fontana lighting fixtures by Guglielmo Ulrich and a mosaic by Adriano Spilimbergo as well as several pieces of furniture by Borsani himself (the house also being the HQ for the architect's archives).  Within walking distance is Villa Bagatti Valsecchi a 19-century mansion that was originally built as a summer retreat for the Milanese family of the same name The villa's architecture is defined by a central structure and two side wings with terraced roofs as well as a portico featuring 15th-century columns that were originally part of Milan's Lazzaretto the city's hospital built to face the plague including English gardens on each side and a formal Italian garden at the back.  Both locations expand Alcova's ongoing mission to offer access to rarely seen spaces in and near Milan creating a dialogue with unique locations by activating them through design displays that include emerging and independent designers and brands A snapshot of where contemporary design is headed Alcova promises once again to be an unmissable opportunity to discover what's going on in the creative industries right now.  Alcova 2024 will take place from 15 – 21 April 2024 alcova.xyz 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 Objects of Common Interest for Dooor Gohar World The Portal sculpture by Pepe Valenti for Alcova Shop Alcova 2024 moved to Varedo to take over the spaces of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi and Villa Borsani (on view until 21 April) Over 70 exhibitors are sprawled across these two locations, and while many architectural aficionados will know modernist icon Villa Borsani the disused Lombard Baroque Villa Bagatti Valsecchi was also a hidden gem for Alcova’s organisers 'This location has the usual Alcova,' Ciuffi says of the exposed raw floors and peeling walls of the villa nodding to Alcova itself as an testing ground for designers 'There is materiality and conceptual works,' says Ciuffi of the experiments at this year's show Explorations with materials manifested in the marble work of Tino Seubert in collaboration with studio Agglomerati and organic ceramic vessels by Andrea Tsang for Studio Tooj.  visitors were welcomed by mounds of EconitWood️ The potential of this material was shown in lighting and seating designed by Harry Thaler An apocalyptic vision of the future was visually told by design school HEAD Genève addressing the climate emergency through performance dioramas of damaged environments Objects of Common Interest for Dooor which manipulates the cellar of the home through colour and abstract passages In the narrow kitchen, Colombian designer Natalia Criado’s metal works, including cutlery, coffee containers and tea pots, were found peppered across the countertops and kitchen sink. Once a jewellery designer, Criado’s delicate pieces are inspired by combining cultural legacies of Colombia and Italy Inderjeet Sandhu also delved into the clashing of cultures inside Villa Bagatti Valsecchi with his political vases and vessels that draw upon his experiences in a Dutch-Indian household Inside the study room once used by architect Osvaldo Borsani Supaform were inspired by this area being a 'laboratory for experiments and a sacred space for solitude and escapism,' with a simple office set up of a chunky silver desk and chair paired with a retro computer and conventionally corporate looking folders in the shelves feeling both futuristic and vintage at the same time 'The furniture within the space are intended as artefacts of the author’s imagination,' says Maxim Shcherbakov Gohar World Elsewhere, Fabian Freytag reinterpreted the bar area in the Villa Borsani to include washbasins and lamps, while back at Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, the universe of Gohar World came to life in a pop-up shop set up inside a pinstripe tent with satin baguette bags on offer amongst other delectable items.  'The relationship with the park and greenery is astonishing,' Ciuffi says of the vast green space surrounding Villa Bagatti Valsecchi where playful sculptures by Studio Pepe and a golf course are found we just look for amazing places,' says Ciuffi of future plans for Alcova being a hotbed for research and a platform for designers is the main goal a 25-minute train ride from Milan stations including Cadorna Porta Venezia and Repubblica with lines S2 and S4.  Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases Sujata has written for global design and culture publications moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.  Design projects conceived to have a social Including the opening to the public of a residence on the outskitrts of Milan by one of the great Italian 20th century designers Alcova returns to Varedo from April 7 to 13 expanding its design trail across four locations that include both historic residences and newly activated industrial spaces This year’s edition builds on last year’s presence at Villa Borsani and Villa Bagatti Valsecchi by adding two new venues: the former SNIA factory and the Pasino Glasshouses encouraging visitors to move through contrasting narratives shaped by nature Alcova’s ninth edition brings together established designers and rising voices through installations that respond directly to their settings offering a fresh pulse ahead of Milan Design Week Marcin Rusak Studio prepares “Ghost Orchids,” a sculptural series made with biodegradable materials developed with the Łukasiewicz Institute The work reflects the site’s horticultural past while drawing from Rusak’s personal story “Soft Horizons” by Objects of Common Interest and Greek Marble reuses stone fragments presenting them as floating sculptural forms where industry once defined the rhythm of the building That tension drives “Under the Volcano,” a large-scale installation by Ranieri introducing a new lava stone line by Francesco Meda and David Lopez Quincoces The factory will also host Finland’s Habitare platform group producing objects live on a large-scale 3D printer and Robinson Guillermet will inflate “18 Drops of Sweat,” a hammam-like installation that plays with breath and presence The American collective ANANASANANAS joins forces with Parasite 2.0 to present a project about food systems and soil exploitation Rive Roshan will reimagine the Villa’s fountain with a light-driven piece Soleille Gallery from Ibiza brings work by Andrea Mancuso while Shakti Design Residency from India invites global talents to interact with crafts from Jaipur and New Delhi Studio Noké installs two connected projects: “Drifting Cloud,” a series of six sculptures influenced by wave physics and “Shape of Water,” featuring ceramics by co-founder Moon Seop Seo Both projects examine the relationship between form investigates design’s role in production systems and urban transformation beginning with a study of Timisoara’s industrial fabric Villa Borsani continues to host projects that play directly with its architectural identity Noritake Design Collection introduces a new ceramics line by Faye Toogood and Athens-based THE BREEDER brings a light-based work by Objects of Common Interest Completedworks debuts its first design collection while Eleftheria Tseliou Gallery stages a reimagining of “The Library Show” in a domestic setting explores object identity in “Missing Material,” reconfiguring everyday items through urban influences The Villa’s fireplace room transforms through the imaginative figures of Atelier dell’Errore an art collective formed through work in child neuropsychiatry ceramic planters by Monstruosus x Michael Anastassiades reinterpret Greek urns in contemporary form curated by Design Academy Eindhoven in collaboration with KALDEWEI runs under the theme “Are We Going in Circles?” sparking conversations around circular design practices curated once again by Alessandro Longhin and LUNCHBOX by Victoria Small with Davide Longoni and GASTRONOMES STUDIO will expand this year and include a special display by Mutina using Nathalie Du Pasquier’s “Mattonelle Margherita” tiles Alcova’s preview already promises moments of reflection and transformation across every corner of its four locations DSCENE is curated as a daily art, design, fashion & lifestyle destination. DSCENE is non-for-profit fashion and culture basis organization which aims at further development of research on DSCENE values, as well as on providing educational services. Home of magazine editions DSCENE and MMSCENE – Click for more about DSCENE and for our Terms of Service Please enter your username or email address to reset your password Design is the constant reinvention of a serie of archetypes At the basis of everything there is matter – ceramic A starting point that many designs highlight Fuorisalone.it® is a project by Studiolabo S.r.l Please enable JavaScript in your browser for better use of the website Milan Design Week can become a kind of ‘staycation’ for architecture lovers now used to refer to a holiday spent close to home is perfect for anyone who becomes an ‘urban explorer’ during the Fuorisalone – uncovering villas palatial buildings and other spaces that are usually inaccessible or rarely open to the public those with a taste for classical architecture can enter the 18th-century Palazzo Litta which hosts the MoscaPartners Variations across its richly frescoed rooms or explore the courtyard of the 17th-century Palazzo del Senato and the ground floor of the Istituto dei Ciechi – the institute for the blind originally built as a neoclassical villa in what is now the vibrant heart of Porta Venezia There is also a chance to go up to the 16th floor of Torre Velasca where Dedar presents archival fabrics by Anni Albers and to enjoy free entry to the lush gardens and swimming pool of Villa Necchi Campiglio visitors can access the former SNIA Factory in Varedo decaying structure – with a future redevelopment already in the pipeline – provides an intriguing backdrop for installations and pieces by independent designers Porta Venezia Design DistrictNow home to Milan’s State Archives the building was commissioned in 1608 by Archbishop Carlo Borromeo as the seat of the Collegio Elvetico that once overlooked the canal running through the city centre an installation by Brazilian architect and designer Juliana Lima Vasconcellos in collaboration with Lavazza AlcovaA pioneer in synthetic textile fibre production this factory was built in the 1930s in a stark rationalist style Its chimney still dominates the skyline of Varedo but gone are the smells of solvents and the hum of machinery – production ceased permanently in 2003 Now the building is a hauntingly beautiful industrial relic marking its second consecutive year in this small town in Brianza visitors can also explore the Serre di Pasino (once Europe’s largest orchid greenhouse) the eclectic 19th-century Villa Bagatti Valsecchi built in 1940 by Osvaldo Borsani for his family (entry by reservation 5VieOriginally built in the 1800s as stables when Napoleon transformed the Olivetani monastery into barracks the Cavallerizze suffered heavy bombing during WWII They were reopened in 2016 following restoration led by Luca Cipelletti The project revived the existing volumes and reconstructed the demolished ones the grand aisles host a 5VIE info point and several district exhibitors Palazzo Corriere della Seravia Solferino 28 Brera Design DistrictIn the heart of Brera stands the historic headquarters of Corriere della Sera an elegant building that blends eclectic and Art Nouveau styles Designed in 1904 by Luca Beltrami to house the Milan daily’s editorial offices it was expanded in the 1960s with a rotogravure wing by Alberto Rosselli (Gio Ponti’s son-in-law) and underwent major renovation by Vittorio Gregotti in the 2000s the courtyard hosts the Solferino 28 Design event curated by the newspaper along with Abitare and Living The centrepiece this year is Città Paradiso by Mario Cucinella – MCA: “large inflatable opaque and transparent bubbles,” says Cucinella others showcasing utopian city models: tree cities high-tech urbanism with aerial walkways and so on.” Visitors can interact with an AI programme inside the bubbles answering questions about their ideal city The answers will be saved to build up a collective picture of ‘Paradise City’ Palazzo LittaCorso Magenta 24A well-preserved example of the 18th-century Lombard Baroque known for its exuberant façade and telamon-framed portal on Corso Magenta The original core of the building dates to 1642–1648 and was built by Francesco Maria Richini for Count Bartolomeo Arese one of the most influential figures of his time Design Week offers a rare chance to explore the grand rooms and opulent staircase inside while visiting MoscaPartners Variations exhibition an exploration of cultural exchange and crossovers creatively combining geographically and conceptually distant traditions and ideas Palazzo dei Giureconsultipiazza dei Mercanti 2Just a short walk from the cathedral this 16th-century palace once housed the College of Noble Doctors – the city’s ruling elite the ground-floor portico is filled with flowers and greenery for the 2025 edition of Masterly – The Dutch in Milano artisans and manufacturers with a keen eye on innovation and experimentation Porta Venezia Design DistrictDesigned in a rationalist style by Piero Portaluppi between 1932 and 1935 the villa is set in a large garden with a swimming pool the owners commissioned Tomaso Buzzi to redesign the interiors in an 18th-century style permanently erasing the original minimalist aesthetic the villa belongs to Milan’s House Museums Circuit (along with Casa Museo Boschi Di Stefano and Casa Museo Bagatti Valsecchi) and has been protected by FAI since 2001 the outer pavilions host displays from German lighting company Occhio Istituto dei Ciechi di Milanovia Vivaio 7Inspired by neoclassical suburban villas the institute was built in the 19th century by Giuseppe Pirovano in what was then a partly rural area It served blind individuals until the 1970s offering education and training that promoted professional and social inclusion The charity still provides services for blind and visually impaired students in Lombardy and Piedmont including Braille textbooks and tactile teaching materials with glass artworks by Vincent Van Duysen and Ronan Bouroullec as well as wall coverings from Calico Wallpaper Torre Velascapiazza Velasca 3-5A masterpiece by BBPR and a post-war icon Torre Velasca boldly experimented with concrete and looms over Milan with its distinctive ‘mushroom’ shape It is a mixed-use tower that interacts symbolically with the Gothic Duomo and the Filarete Tower of Castello Sforzesco Recently restored by Asti Architetti – who also redesigned the square in front to encourage social interaction – the tower’s 16th floor hosts Dedar’s presentation of five fabrics by Anni Albers in collaboration with the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation based on five previously unseen original designs Chiostri di San Simplicianovia dei Chiostri 2 Brera Design DistrictA beautifully secluded corner of Milan once part of the convent of the same name and now occupied by the faculty of theology After the convent’s suppression in the late 18th century the cloisters were used as military barracks and even as a shooting range an exhibition curated by Gucci and Ippolito Pestellini – 2050+ which examines the legacy of bamboo in the identity of the fashion house and its design history Registration (on gucci.com) is required for entry and website in this browser for the next time I comment Abitare.it e Style.corriere.it rifiutando tutti i cookie di profilazione ad eccezione di quelli tecnici necessari Naviga il sito di Abitare.it con pubblicità profilata e senza abbonarti By subscribing you will reject all but technical cookies on Iodonna.it By clicking "accept" you will allow to process your personal data by us and third parties and be able to browse Abitare.it website without a subscription AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTSlide 1 of 12,In a room off the master bedroom a modular bookcase designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1957 and a chair by Eugenio Gerli the company Osvaldo founded with his brother Share full articleInside Casa BorsaniWhen the designer Osvaldo Borsani completed his family’s villa in Varedo more than seven decades ago The seventh edition of Alcova - an international platform for contemporary design - will open to the public April 15-21 in the unprecedented setting of two iconic villas in the Milan metropolitan area Now a must-see destination of Milan Design Week institutions and schools in dialogue with extraordinary works of architecture - an approach that has been the same for years but each year produces new and surprising results respectively modernist and Lombard Baroque will host the selection of Alcova projects inviting them to question themselves on a theme always central to Alcova: that of living which this year will unfold in its com- plexity through two “domestic” contexts intertwining: technological and sustainable materials and production processes Alcova invites the public into an almost surreal microcosm; a historically relevant context in which to gather to imagine the future of design through installations Website The seventh edition during the Milan Design Week will be in Varedo Among the participants are Atelier de Troupe in collaboration with CC Tapis the whole Loggiato delle Scuderie will become the stage for another major novelty this year: the aforementioned Alcova Design Shop which will take the form of an articulated (and no longer just virtual) installation showcasing objects presented by Alcova online as well as many new items put on display by this year’s exhibitors and objects with different uses and scales will be showcased explicitly promoting promising contemporary design with whom Alcova Design Shop established a strong collaboration through the years The selection will also feature the latest arrivals: a collection of bulging metal “from outer space” by Astronauts Laura Casañas Maya’s vibrant coffee tables that reinterpret trimmings on curved metal tubing All pieces will be available for purchase onsite Cesano MadernoThe elegant 17th century noble palace in the province of Monza Brianza hosts the exhibition Olivetti which brings together over 500 objects pertaining to communication graphics and advertising contained in the volume of the same name published by Ronzani Editore The exhibition is staged in richly frescoed rooms opening onto the large adjoining park with striking boulevards and Italian gardens The exhibition continues until June 2.i e giardini all’italiana Villa Borsanivia Umberto I 148, VaredoAlcova continues its mission of revealing new locations to the public where it occupies two houses with different souls and styles built in the rationalist style by Osvaldo Borsani in the 1940s temporarily ‘stripped’ of historical furnishings nevertheless remain interesting thanks to unique finishes the fireplace with tiles by Lucio Fontana and the staircase in the centre of the entrance with a transparent glass balustrade The exhibitors selected by Alcova are few; the small-sized pieces leave room for architectural details Villa Bagatti Valsecchivia Vittorio Emanuele II 48 The second Alcova location is Villa Bagatti Valsecchi an eclectic nineteenth-century building used by the family as a summer retreat to escape the heat of the city The architecture is composed of a central block flanked by two lower wings with terraced roofs; the portico repurposes 15th century columns from Milan’s Lazzaretto salvaged during the demolition that took place at the end of the 19th century temporary shops and ephemeral cafes invade the villa The exhibitors are many and the spaces large: you should leave plenty of time to visit everything and The two Alcova outposts are located a few hundred metres from each other and can be reached from the centre of Milan with the Passante Palazzo Clericivia Clerici 5 One of the most opulent urban residences of the eighteenth-century (there are frescoes by Tiepolo), Palazzo Clerici dazzles with its grand staircase, tapestry gallery, picture gallery and Versailles-style hall of mirrors. Located in the Brera Design District in its courtyard it hosts the artistic installation Lines of Flight by the Numen/For Use collective for Porsche a monumental work created with metal modules supporting black and white nets in a regular pattern inspired by the trajectories outlined by flocks of birds in flight Villa Zanolettivia Mozart 9The pairings of Doppia Firma return a dialogue between design thinking and high craftsmanship orchestrated by the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte and Living The objects born out of the meeting of designers and master craftsmen are exhibited in the magnificent suite of rooms on the ground floor of Villa Zanoletti (known as Villa Mozart) Palazzo Orsinivia Borgonuovo 11Re Giorgio opens its representative office to the public where it showcases the new Armani Casa range of indoor & outdoor furnishings An opportunity to explore the garden and a few rooms of this seventeenth-century residence with a nineteenth-century neoclassical façade the fourth edition of the symposium on design curated by Formafantasma the duo analyses the home as a continuously and rapidly evolving refuge and infrastructure dedicated to primary services Casa Manzivia Nerino 8 In the heart of the 5vie district, this neoclassical building from 1845 houses Laboratorio Paravicini On the ground floor of one of the smaller courtyards it presents the new In-Weave collection with an installation by the flower styling studio Mary Lennox Having overcome his back problems, he will give his contribution in perhaps the most delicate challenge of the year. Beating the Sicilians would be a breath of fresh air after a complicated period and before another very tough series of matches. But the steps forward seen against Vicenza (over 30 minutes at par) and the blitz almost achieved in Casale give a hint of optimism.