Palazzo Citterio

An architectural and cultural stratification that forms part of a larger narrative where contemporaneity and history interact with each other and the city. Palazzo Citterio, an 18th-century historic building, is located in the heart of Milan on Via Brera. Over the years, it has undergone several restoration projects, contributing to the realization of the Grande Brera project. Together with the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, it forms a unique cultural hub for the Braidense institutions, while also expanding exhibition spaces dedicated to modern and contemporary art. MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects curated the design for two of the three floors of Palazzo Citterio. The ground floor features the entrance hall and the courtyard, which includes a wooden pavilion, while the first floor hosts the permanent collections. The project aims to return a culturally and socially significant piece of the city to the community, symbolizing a renewed connection between the diverse facets of Brera. This vision drove the creation of inclusive spaces, designed to welcome, build community, and express a new kind of social engagement. Located in the courtyard of Palazzo Citterio and accessible from 12 Via Brera, the circular Tempietto acts as a bridge between the exterior and the various spaces of the Grande Brera. This contemporary component offers access to the adjacent garden near the Orto Botanico, providing visitors with a covered space for resting and contemplation. The installation dialogues with the Pinacoteca, drawing inspiration from Raphael’s “The Marriage of the Virgin” while also representing a leap toward modernity, emblematic of Palazzo Citterio’s collections. Constructed in wood with clean, rhythmic lines alternating between horizontal and vertical elements, the Tempietto’s design enhances its aesthetic while ensuring easy assembly and disassembly on-site. Inside, a suspended canopy creates light effects, evoking a sacred atmosphere.The Tempietto was donated by Salone del Mobile.Milano to the Pinacoteca di Brera. The entrance hall of Palazzo Citterio is another space open to the community. Within this completely renewed environment, an organic, contemporary sculptural table serves as a multifunctional hub for ticketing, information, and a bookshop.This multifunctional design follows universal design principles, incorporating specific considerations to enhance accessibility. The structure features a monolithic steel base with contrasting wooden shelves that function as support surfaces and seating. . Positioned in front of a large LED screen showcasing works by digital artists, the structure takes on the form of an amphitheatre, inviting visitors to pause and admire select pieces of art. Dedicated to the permanent collections, the first floor—or Piano Nobile—displays the works from the Jesi and Vitali families, who once lived in the two wings of the Palazzo The design evokes a domestic atmosphere, with rooms housing the Jesi collection, while those overlooking the inner garden showcase the Vitali collection Special display cases, designed by the studio, highlight specific pieces from the collections and integrate seamlessly with the frescoed rooms’ architecture. The dialogue between modernity and history continues in the Sala degli Specchi (Hall of Mirrors), where a display table holds archaeological artifacts.