The Grande Brera: Mario Cucinella’s signature installation at Palazzo Citterio

MCA, Palazzo Citterio, Tempietto - Ph. Walter Vecchio

The Salone del Mobile.Milano is marking the opening of Palazzo Citterio by donating the Tempietto – a circular wooden structure designed by MCA Architects that combines both classical and modern inspiration

The Salone del Mobile.Milano is confirming its vocation as a promoter of design culture once again, with the opening of Palazzo Citterio, at the Grande Brera. Presented on Saturday 7th December, this cultural and architectural project unites the Pinacoteca di Brera, Palazzo Citterio and the Braidense National Library – an extraordinary plan that enhances one of the leading Italian artistic and cultural hubs, integrating its various institutions and making it an even more central point of reference for art and culture.

The synergy between the Salone and the Brera has been concretised with the donation of the Tempietto, installed in the courtyard of Palazzo Citterio. In a mix of classical and modern inspiration, the circular wooden structure, designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, was inspired by Raphael’s Marriage of the Virgin. A sophisticatedly simple architectural piece, the Tempietto is not just a functional space, but also a symbol of welcome and gathering, an invitation to contemplation and participation. The Salone’s decision to donate this installation underscores its tangible commitment to the city and to its cultural identity.

grande brera, salonemilano — MCA, Palazzo Citterio, Tempietto - Ph. Walter Vecchio

Maria Porro, President of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, had this to say: “The opening of Palazzo Citterio represents a milestone along Milan’s cultural path, combining historical heritage with contemporary innovation. Within this context, the Salone del Mobile.Milano is renewing its commitment to promoting creativity and design as tools for social cohesion and cultural development. Our participation in the Grande Brera is not just a celebration of art, but an investment for the future of our community, inspiring new generations to dream and create visionary projects.”

“The Tempietto is a synthesis of tradition and innovation, a place inspired by the eternal beauty of classical art – like Raphael’s Marriage of the Virgin – whilst also projecting a message of modernity and sustainability. This project isn’t just an installation, but a symbol of welcome and connection, in which history and the contemporary world are interwoven to create new community experiences,” said Mario Cucinella, Architect & Founder of MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects. “This collaboration with the Salone del Mobile is a virtuous example of the way in which Italian design can become a tool for cultural and urban regeneration.”

For the Salone del Mobile.Milano, supporting the Grande Brera means contributing to a project that extends well beyond this architectural installation. In fact, during the 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile (8th-13th April 2025), the courtyard of the Accademia di Brera will host an extraordinary new art installation, a donation from the Salone to the city.

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