A surprising synergy of elective affinities, with an accent on contemporary innovation and culture. This is the encounter between Molteni&C and Pirelli HangarBicocca, “reflecting a shared orientation in continuing pursuit of quality in every field of expression, from art to design,”, says Alessandro Bianchi, General Manager of the famous museum of contemporary art in Milan.
Pirelli HangarBicocca has become a reference point for culture in recent years, an institution for the production and promotion of contemporary art, freely accessible; with its 15,000 square meters of space, it is one of Europe’s largest of its kind, and features important solo shows by Italian and international artists, in close dialogue with the architecture of the facility. This is the context in which Molteni&C takes part, furnishing the completely renovated hospitality spaces of the museum.
Starting from the entrance foyer, where the protagonist is a composition of the Marteen seating and storage system designed by the architect and creative director of the company Vincent Van Duysen; the soft, balanced forms, alternating full and empty portions, create a dialogue with the surrounding architecture, encouraging visitors to linger and relax.
The contemporary atmosphere of the Iuta Bistrot has been enhanced with a personalized touch by Molteni&C, inserting custom-made tables and benches, alongside iconic pieces from the collections, such as the Woody chairs by Francesco Meda in black-stained ash, and a specimen of the Arc table by Foster+Partners, with a precious top in Sahara Noir marble. In the bar zone, the counter and the adjacent functional area have been restyled. The setting is completed by the Hector system, reinterpreted as a display fixture for bottles.
The new Outdoor Collection of Molteni&C made its debut this spring. In the open-air zones of the museum the choice has gone to the Timeout collection, based on the forms of modern architecture: the Phoenix sofas and chairs, the Hyde ottomans and the Regent tables in volcanic stone have been utilized in the first lounge space. They are joined by the Arc table, reinterpreted in cement for the outdoor version, the Golden Gate table in lava stone, custom tables and the Green Point seating in woven cord.
The designer Marta Ferri, a long-term collaborator of the company, has selected the fabrics for both aesthetic and functional criteria, in tune with the public character of the place. Her touch can be seen in the material effects and the natural hues like tobacco and olive green.
“We are very proud of this project implemented in collaboration with Pirelli HangarBicocca, in a shared vision of territorial value and the spread of culture. The architectural rigor of museum facility is enhanced by the design of Molteni&C,” says Giulia Molteni, Chief Marketing Officer of Molteni Group.
