Art and Banking: a tangible proof of Intesa Sanpaolo and Fondazione Cariplo’s cultural inspiration.

The cultural and museum center Gallerie d’Italia, Piazza Scala in Milano, designed by Michele De Lucchi and opened by Intesa Sanpaolo in 2011, is tangible proof of Intesa Sanpaolo and Fondazione Cariplo’s cultural inspiration. The institutions strive to optimise and share their heritage of artworks, architecture and archives, and are fully aware of the importance of cultural growth as a means of developing their local area and the country as a whole.

The two banking institutions have joined forces to create the exhibition space, which was designed by Michele De Lucchi. It is based in an exceptionally prestigious architectural complex covering via Morone, via Manzoni and Piazza della Scala.

“This architectural heritage and its works symbolize the spirit of the entrepreneural Milan, enterprising in arts and culture, very well” Michele De Lucchi remarks, and adds “The architectural design took into account the many, historical identities of the building, aiming at a balance between the existing decorations and settings and the expository requirements”.

The architectural design

The banking halls now meet the new expository purpose. Greatest care over the integration of preservation technologies and exhibition of works and the lighting-technique performance with lighting fittings integrated in the architecture for maximum flexibility. In course of construction, some superimposed pillars in granite blocks emerged, that were hidden under the plaster. The space of the former, large vault has become a dedicated container for works of art. The cafeteria and bookshop are bright and pleasant rooms, with bookcases and tables in oak, like the benches, hinting at the garden ones, to suggest a continuity between inside and outside.

Captions

1,2,3,4 Gallerie d’Italia, Milan; design by Michele De Lucchi, exhibiting area at Palazzo Beltrami.

5 Gallerie d’Italia, Milan; design by Michele De Lucchi, exhibiting area at Palazzo Brentani.

6 Gallerie d’Italia, Milan; design by Michele De Lucchi, exhibiting area at Palazzo Anguissola.

7 Gallerie d’Italia, Milan, sketch by Michele De Lucchi for exhibiting area at Palazzo Anguissola.

8 Gallerie d’Italia, Milan; design by Michele De Lucchi, cafeteria (Custom-built furnishings by Paolo Castelli).

9 Gallerie d’Italia, Milan; design by Michele De Lucchi, the bookstore (Custom-built furnishings by Paolo Castelli).

10 Gallerie d’Italia, Milan; design by Michele De Lucchi, cafeteria and bookstore entrance (Custom-built furnishings by Paolo Castelli).