Architecture

Marble, according to Piero Portaluppi

The Binocle studio is among the finalists for the Italian Architecture Award for the restoration of the Galleria Massimo De Carlo inside Casa Corbellini-Wasserman in Milan, designed by Piero Portaluppi in the 1930s and characterized by sophisticated marble interiors.

“Our approach has been very cautious; it was a work of communication with and among all the figures involved: Massimo De Carlo, Antonio Citterio, the administration additionally, the company, the stonemason, the restorer. In the end, the key theme of the exhibition was the connection of the rooms on Viale Lombardia with the one in the back, where we gained the two rooms with the blue mosaic and the one with
the striped marble floor. To do so, we opened a gap, increasing the exhibition surface wall”.
Thus Lorenzo Bini of Studio Binocle introduced on the pages of Domus his “mimetic” project for the new headquarters of the Galleria Massimo de Carlo, among the Finalists for the second edition of the Italian Architecture Award, promoted by Triennale and MAXXI – National Museum of the arts of the 21st century with the support of the Ministry of Culture.

Designed by Piero Portaluppi on behalf of Guido Corbellini and Paola Wassermann, the building was built between 1934 and 1936 in Viale Lombardia in Milan. On the mezzanine floor – today’s exhibition space – stood the apartment of the spouses, while the basement was used as a tavern (today’s staff offices). In the interior, the finishes and floors chosen by Portaluppi stand out. The grey Ornavasso marble and Pink and Challant Green Turquoise Marble (or Malachite of Challant) used for this space can also be found at the entrance of the Piero Portaluppi Foundation.

Casa Corbellini-Wassermann was purchased by Massimo De Carlo in 2015. Although uninhabited for some time, the rooms on the first floor were well preserved. The passage of time had not hidden the splendor of the natural stones chosen by Portaluppi 80 years before.

The projects of the winners and finalists of the Italian Architecture Prize and the T Young Prize are on display at Triennale Milano until 22 August 2021.

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