The ADI Design Museum - Compasso d'Oro was inaugurated in Piazza Compasso d'Oro in Milan. The museum houses the Compasso d'Oro historical collection of objects selected and awarded the most famous Italian design award from 1954 to the present day.
It was “a day of celebration“, as Cultural Heritage Minister Dario Franceschini summed up when he spoke at the inauguration, and “a symbol of restarting not only for Milan but for the whole country“.  Joining Franceschini at the inauguration were ADI president Luciano Galimberti and ADI Foundation president Umberto Cabini, Lombardy Region culture councillor Stefano Bruno Galli, Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala, FederlegnoArredo president Claudio Feltrin and Confindustria vice-president Barbara Beltrame.

A museum for the general public

Created with the support of the city of Milan and the entire country, the ADI Design Museum will not only be a new cultural centre for design, but will also pay particular attention to the general public: through the new form that characterises the thematic in-depth studies, conferences, workshops for young people and events, it will be possible for everyone to discover the meaning and value of design for the whole of society in a new and personal experience. “This is an important achievement for ADI and the ADI Foundation,“ explains Cabini. “It will be a museum with responsibilities that go beyond association boundaries and with a commitment to the community as well as to the Made in Italy community.“
The space is located in Milan at Piazza Compasso d'Oro 1, near Via Ceresio and Piazzale Monumentale, and is part of a former industrial area with a high architectural and urbanistic value, which has undergone major urban redevelopment in recent years.

Five permanent collections and three temporary exhibitions

Eight in-depth exhibitions illustrate the different historical moments of Italian design, all related to the pieces in the Collection.
There are currently five permanent collections and three temporary exhibitions in the new ADI Design Museum. The five permanent collections are: “Il cucchiaio e la città. Permanent exhibition Historic Compasso d'Oro Collection“, “Compasso d'Oro, Measuring the World“,
“Manifesto alla Carriera. Homage of Italian graphics to the Compasso d'Oro Masters“, “Bìos - Sistema Design Italia“, video installation by Politecnico di Milano and “Il design entra nella storia“ video installation by IED.
The three temporary exhibitions are also very interesting: “Giulio Castelli. La cultura imprenditoriale del sistema design“, “Uno a Uno. La specie degli oggetti“ and “Renata Bonfanti. Tessere la gioia“.
The ADI Design Museum will be open to the public, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.30 am to 8 pm, and tickets can be purchased on the museum's website, or by contacting the cultural mediators who will assist visitors, or through an app - Adi Design Museum - available on App Store and Google Play. An interesting novelty for young people: the museum follows the principle of the “city of 15 minutes“ whereby, thanks to Fondazione Cariplo, admission is free for all young people who live and study in an area no further than 15 minutes from the museum. 

ADI Design Museum Milan - ph © M.Bonetti