Productions

The Milan episode opens in the very heart of the city — Piazza Duomo — amid the majesty of its Gothic symbol and the vibrant rhythm of urban life. Here lies Terrazza Duomo21, a place where history meets modernity thanks to architect Langhi, who has transformed a historic setting into an extraordinary example of contemporary interior design, where modern lines and elegant details engage in dialogue with the city’s classical architecture.

The exploration of design continues at the ADI Design Museum, where, together with President Luciano Galimberti, we retrace the key milestones of Italian creativity: from the masterpieces that have won the Compasso d’Oro award to the stories of the companies and designers who helped make Italy a global benchmark for design. Between past and future, tradition and innovation, this episode reveals the beating heart of Milanese design and its deep connection to the city’s cultural identity.

The episode opens the doors to the world of Italian kitchen design, beginning at the futuristic headquarters of Snaidero, designed by architect Angelo Mangiarotti, where innovation and functionality converge in visionary spaces that redefine the very concept of the kitchen. Amid clean lines and cutting-edge materials, we uncover the story of Italian design applied to the kitchen — from the celebrated Spazio Vivo model, exhibited at the MoMA in New York, to the iconic projects signed by Pininfarina and Gae Aulenti, which have made the Italian kitchen a global symbol of style and innovation.

The journey continues at the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli, where the art of mosaic comes to life under the skilled hands of students from all over the world. Among colorful tiles and ancient techniques, art becomes a universal language — a bridge between tradition and contemporary creation.

Episode three of Viaggi di.segno takes us to Mantua, a city of timeless charm where history and art inspire contemporary design. The journey begins at Palazzo Te, the masterpiece of Giulio Romano, whose frescoes captivate the viewer’s gaze and ignite the imagination of architect Massimo Marcomini. Here, Les First takes shape — a collection of sculptural lamps that merges the tradition of ceramic sculpture with innovative lighting technologies, transforming each piece into a luminous work of art.

The Les First atelier, located in Villa Cavriani, an elegant 16th-century villa just outside Mantua, becomes the perfect setting to explore the creative process. Among materials, artisanal gestures, and technological experimentation, the ancient converses with the modern, revealing how design can be born from the inspiration of the great masters of the past.

Episode four of Viaggi di.segno takes place in Florence, a city of art and history where every corner tells a story of dialogue between past and present. The episode opens on one of the city’s most breathtaking panoramic terraces, overlooking Florence, to explore outdoor design and the art of blending different styles — creating harmony between modern furnishings and the historic architecture that makes the city unique.

The journey continues to Palazzo Strozzi, where we visit Italy’s most important exhibition dedicated to Tracey Emin, a contemporary artist celebrated worldwide.

Amid luminous installations and emotionally powerful works, the story highlights the dialogue between contemporary creativity and historical context, showing how design and art can engage with the past to create surprising and immersive cultural experiences.

The episode begins at the Castello Inferiore in Marostica, a magnificent symbol of local history and architecture, where the medieval walls become the starting point for a journey through tradition and contemporary creativity. The story explores the ceramics district, the beating heart of Italian home décor, where skilled artisans transform simple materials into unique design objects. Amid workshops and ateliers, we discover how artisanal mastery blends with minimalist and modern inspirations, giving life to creations that combine functionality and aesthetic beauty. The episode reveals the ongoing dialogue between culture, territory, and innovation, showcasing the ability of Italian design to transform tradition into timeless contemporary creativity.

The episode marks a return to Milan, but this time to a city projected into the future, where design becomes a language of innovation and research. The journey begins at the Politecnico di Milano – School of Design, a symbolic place of education and experimentation, where young minds design the future through new materials and technologies developed by Ventana. The path concludes at Pirelli Hangar Bicocca, a monumental space dedicated to contemporary art, where large-scale installations engage in dialogue with industrial architecture, offering a reflection on the relationship between art, space, and perception.

In this final chapter, Viaggi di.segno ends its journey where it all began, revealing a Milan that never ceases to reinvent itself — a city that unites memory and innovation, tradition and vision, and continues to be the cradle of Italian design for the world.