Cadorna Station to Palazzo Castiglioni, Austin Component
Cadorna Station. Piazza Cadorna railway station, architect Gae Aulenti.
Cardona Station is a gem within the Ferrovie Nord Milano System. The station is one of Milan’s central railways and is located in Piazzale Luigi Cadorna and serves both regional and suburban train lines. Although the station has existed since the 19th century, its most distinguished moment was its redesign by renowned architect Gae Aulenti. It was initially known as Piazza Castello in the 1800s and served as a single-floor, small structure before further development in 1885 to accommodate increased passenger traffic. The original building was tragically burned down in 1943, much like the rest of the city. The structure that stands today was completed in 1955 through the work of Aulenti.
Aulenti’s modern redesign of the building favored the movement of pedestrian behavior and acts as an underground travel rail hub in one of Milan’s main squares. Some key renovations include the added canopies and shelters, which were supported by the eye-catching red columns, to add shelter for pedestrians and to reference the design of 19th-century train stations. In addition, the layout was redesigned to improve foot traffic within the station and incorporate new modes of transportation within the station, which included the metro lines M1 and M2, tram and bus routes, as well as the express railway line.
The functional nature of the project is contrasted with a colorful structure, named Needle, Thread, and Knot, which stands at the centre of the space, designed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen. The structure symbolizes Milan’s fashion industry and industrial innovations.
Aulenti was coined as “The Grand Dame of Italian architecture” for her trailblazing methods, which prioritized the arts as a whole and not just a hyper focus on architecture. She was one of the first women to gain prominence in the architecture sphere, rising to national and international recognition.
Image 1: Cadorna Station in its modern-day context
Image 2: The station before its redesign by Aulenti
Image 3: Highlighting the flow of pedestrian traffic with a covered walkway and bold red columns
Image 4: The playful and symbolic sculpture (Needle, Thread, and Knot) in front of the structure
Palazzo Castiglioni. Corso 47 Venzia (near Giardini Pubblici), architect Giuseppe Sommaruga
Palazzo Castiglioni is located at Corso Venezia 47 in Milan. It is a widely recognized architectural piece by Giuseppe Sommaruga and is thought of as the artistic manifesto of Milanese Liberty. The palace was constructed between 1901 and 1904 for Ermenegildo Castiglioni, a wealthy merchant. It was built in the Italian Art Nouveau style and intended to be a fusion of modernity and artistic innovation in the heart of Milan.
Giuseppe Sommaruga and his client, Castiglioni, traveled to England and France for references and were inspired by Hector Guimard, an Art Nouveau architect from France.
The building is set forth with a rustic stone base at the front and is juxtaposed with ornate details inspired by designs from the 18th century; the combination of natural and classical elements creates a distinct and striking exterior. The building’s innovation in its original design was met with critique and controversy from the public due to the nude statues that graced the main entrance. They had been placed to symbolize peace and industry, but were instead deemed scandalous, leading to their removal and replacement in the Romeo Faccanoni villa.
During World War II, the building suffered from damage and, unfortunately, lost its original furnishings as American forces occupied it. In 1957, the building was placed under the protection of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, protecting its cultural relevance. Years later, it was sold to the Traders’ Union of Milan and has since been adapted to be used as a practical office space. While some interior spaces were altered, key exterior elements remain intact, including the coveted facade, staircase, and select rooms. Today, the building is celebrated as a landmark for Milanese innovation and art nouveau style and stands on its own as Sommaruga’s innovative approach to architecture. Its unique design is continually used as inspiration for others and represents a significant period of transition from Milan’s traditional architecture.
Image 1: The front facade of Palazzo Castilogni, in modern times, still holds the majority of its original integrity in design
Image 2: The still-intact grand staircase graces the interior of the space
Image 3: The original front side of the building with the controversial statues framing the main doors
Image 4: The back facade faces the internal garden and has a more intimate feel, but it retains the elegance of the whole building.
Citations:
Cadorna Station:
“Gae Aulenti: the works of the grande dame of architecture.” We Build Value, October 29, 2020. https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/infrastructure-news/gae-aulenti-works.html.
Sullivan, Mary Ann. “Piazzale and Stazione Cadorna.” Bluffton University. Accessed May 6, 2025. https://homepages.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/italy/milan/cadorna/aulenti.html.
Castiglioni, Piero. “Cadorna Railway Station.” Studio Piero Castiglioni. Accessed May 6,, 2025. https://pierocastiglioni.com/en/architecture/buildings/cadorna-railway-station/#Cadorna%20Railway%20Station-2.
Museo Virtuale Ferrovie Nord. “Milano Cadorna.” Accessed May 6, 2025. https://museo.ferrovienord.it/en/header/notable-stations/milano-cadorna/.
Elkann, Alain. “Gae Aulenti.” Alain Elkann Interviews. May 28, 2016. https://www.alainelkanninterviews.com/gae-aulenti/.
Palazzo Castiglioni:
GAG Società Benefit https://www.gag.it/. “Palazzo Castiglioni Milan Italy – Cariboni Group.” Cariboni Group, www.caribonigroup.com/en/projects/palazzo-castiglioni-milan-italy.
Pavia, Codex. “Casa Castiglioni” LombardyCultural Heritage, 2016, www.lombardiabeniculturali.it/architetture/schede/LMD80-00196/.
Zacevini, Gianni. “Palazzo Castiglioni: Il Simbolo Del Liberty Milanese – Divina Milano.” Divina Milano, 25 Oct. 2024, www.divinamilano.it/palazzo-castiglioni-il-simbolo-del-liberty-milanese.