Gallerie D'Italia, Polo Museale

Intesa San Paolo, in collaboration with Fondazione Cariplo, has created a new museum center in the heart of Milan, housed in the historic Anguissola and Brentani palaces overlooking Piazza della Scala. The project celebrates nineteenth-century Italian art, displaying 197 masterpieces from the collections of the two bank foundations. Paolo Castelli S.p.A. contributed to the project with the supply of serial furniture and the realization of custom-made solutions, devoting itself in particular to the setting up of the cafeteria and bookshop areas.
The furnishings, made to design, are distinguished by the use of solid oak, the undisputed protagonist of the finishes and furniture elements. In the cafeterias, benches and tables aligned with the windows create a cozy atmosphere, with shaped and curved slats that recall the design of garden furniture, emphasizing the continuity between indoors and outdoors. The bar counters, covered in slab oak, are embellished with elegant display cabinets with solid oak profiles.
In the bookshop, large central tables with woven bases add a distinctive touch, while the walls, equipped with shelves and racks, create an elegant geometric design of alternating niches. The ticketing and cloakroom areas are enhanced with oak paneling, featuring coat hooks, shelves, hat racks, and platforms. Across all spaces, LED lighting seamlessly combines functionality and aesthetics, contributing to a sophisticated and luminous atmosphere.
The furniture made represents an authentic triumph of traditional Italian craftsmanship, combining signature design and the highest quality of execution.

The design challenge was to accurately interpret architect Michele De Lucchi’s vision, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship that reflected the prestige of the location and the cultural significance of the initiative.