On September 17, 2024, the Italian Cultural Institute of London hosted an insightful event titled “A History of Architecture Design and FuoriSalone.” The event, held in collaboration with Interni magazine to celebrate its 70th anniversary, featured prominent speakers in the field of architecture and design. The panel included:
- Deyan Sudjic, former Director of the Design Museum in London, columnist for Interni, and co-author of 30 Years of FuoriSalone. Sudjic spoke about the enduring and fruitful collaboration between British and Italian design. He fondly recalled his experiences in Milan, the world capital of design, where he crossed paths with renowned Italian designers like Gio Ponti, Achille Castiglioni, and Enzo Mari. He emphasized Italy’s role as a beacon of design innovation and excellence, saying, “Italy, thank you!”
- Ron Arad, a celebrated designer, shared personal anecdotes from his visits to the Salone and FuoriSalone in Milan. He highlighted his encounters with design icons such as Castiglioni, Mari, and Ettore Sottsass. Arad praised Italy’s artisans for their unparalleled craftsmanship, stating, “It’s in Italy where you find the best artisans, capable of creating prototypes that sometimes exceed the quality of final industrial products.”
- Michele Pasca di Magliano, Director of Zaha Hadid Architects, provided insight into the firm’s global operations. He proudly mentioned that their team now comprises 500 people, with 40 active construction projects spanning 28 countries. Pasca di Magliano discussed the firm’s continued growth and success, emphasizing its ongoing international impact.
- Claudia Pasquero, an architect specializing in environmental biotechnologies and co-founder of ecoLogicStudio, discussed her pioneering work in digital bio-design. She presented examples such as Tree.One, a biotechnology project that explores the relationship between nature and future life through innovative design approaches. Pasquero’s work redefines what is considered “natural” and challenges the boundaries of architecture and biology.
The event, moderated by architect Carlo Biasia, highlighted the deep connections between Italian design and international architecture. It underscored how Italy remains at the forefront of design trends while fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
Francesco Bongarrà, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, opened the event by expressing his pleasure at hosting such prominent figures from the world of architecture and design. He also celebrated the long-standing collaboration between the Institute and Interni, wishing the magazine a happy 70th birthday.
The next event on architecture and design, set for September 18, 2024, will feature Mario Cucinella, the architect behind the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Cucinella will be joined by Maria Porro, President of the Milan Furniture Fair, in a conversation moderated by Priya Khanchandani. The event will also be graced by the presence of Ambassador Mario Vattani, Italy’s Commissioner General for Expo 2025.
This upcoming discussion promises to delve into the design vision for the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025, exploring the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and Italian craftsmanship in the global architectural arena.
