Author: Ava Webber

This week was incredibly fast-paced and jam-packed, but it was also incredibly fun! Spending the week at Castilogni’s studio and an evening at La Scala could not have been more perfect. I enjoyed seeing the joy and life still honored within Castilogni’s studio even after his passing. La Scala was even more surreal than I could have imagined. Hearing beautiful music in the space was magical – my favorite part was looking around at how captivated people were by the singer’s voice, people draping themselves over the balconies, leaning closer to the stage, it was beautiful. Visiting Artemaide and Alfa Romeo on the same day was a treat! I never truly knew how much went into the production of quality things until then, and boy, is it a lengthy process, but so worth it to see how the designs on paper come to life with the help of so many different people. Alfa Romeo was a surprising favorite for me. I’ve never been super into cars, but the cars there were art within themselves, and learning their history was just the cherry on top. The trip to Tipoteca was also one of my favorites. I mean, come on, getting to letterpress a print with an old Italian man in the middle of nowhere Italy is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am so grateful for. I did not include any pictures from the biennale because I was so absorbed in every space I went to there that I did not take any! This exhibit was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and I could have stayed there the whole day. My favorite from the exhibit was the Poland exhibit because it was very literal and was focused on the safety within architecture, although it was one of the least heavy topiced pavillions I enjoyed its humor and clean but interesting display of information.

Over the weekend I visited a friend in Barcelona and visited Casa Batillo. I had studied Gaudi’s work for a few years now in my art history classes so seeing the Casa Batillo in real life was an incredible experience and it did not seem real! The detail! The artistry! Amazing! I also visited the Moca museum which housed some work by Warhol, Basquit, Herring, the list could go on. I loved getting to see some more modern art on my trip especially from more well known artists – very cool and fun that it was an unplanned experience.

I feel so lucky to be somewhere where learning and inspiration is everywhere, and I can’t wait to absorb everything everywhere within my last 2 weeks in Italy!

Starting the week off with our survival Italian lesson has prepared me to strive to adapt to the culture that I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in. I have even purchased a few books in Italian to give myself the best chance to learn the language. As the Italians do it, slowly but surely, I will get there! My week’s highlights were visiting the Rossanna Orlandi Gallery, sketching in Lake Como, and visiting Studio FM Milano.  Rossanna Orlandi was a beautifully done space; I could have stayed there forever. I was obsessed with the fact that nothing fit the same kind of vibe, but it all went well together. Every room was something different and funky, nothing like I’ve ever seen before – It was a pool of inspiration, and I feel so lucky to have had the chance to experience a space like this. Lake Como was also, of course, beautiful. My favorite part was when we were atop the Archivio Terragni, relished in the view, and sketched the Como stadium. I had never seen such a view, and being surrounded by new friends was a treat! Studio FM was my favorite part of the trip so far. Seeing cool, innovative work done by people in the same field as me is inspiring and has helped me solidify that I want to continue my design path, and that it all comes in time. 

These past ten days have been very eye-opening because I have a new appreciation for the “Italian” way of life. Things move much slower, and people are not living to work; they are working to live. As I’ve learned to slow down, I have also learned that things will happen, you have to be patient, and let them happen.

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.

On my first morning exploring the city, I wandered into the quiet, charming neighborhood of Porta Romana. The streets here felt calm and inviting. The only sounds were the occasional rustling of leaves and the soft buzz of trams in the distance. I passed a few locals—people who, I can only assume, were taking their mornings slowly. A woman leaned against a windowsill, sipping her espresso, while a man stared out the window of his small balcony above. Everything felt lived-in but peaceful, as if the neighborhood knew how to breathe.

Then on day two, I made my way to the area around the Duomo. In contrast to Porta Romana, the streets here were loud, dramatic, and energized by a constant flow of people. Tourists crowded the sidewalks, cameras in hand, snapping photos of the towering cathedral. Street performers competed with the sound of footsteps and chatter. The buildings here seemed to rise taller, almost in competition with the Duomo’s Gothic spires. The entire scene buzzed with a different kind of life—restless, proud, and buzzing with history.

The third day, I arrived in Navigli. Its streets, laced with canals, offered a whole new mood. The atmosphere was youthful and artsy, punctuated by bold signage and music spilling out from café doors. Groups of friends paced quickly through the streets, laughing, sipping drinks as the sun began to set. The cobblestone paths led me through layers of sound, color, and movement. It was vibrant and unapologetically trendy, yet somehow still cozy in small moments. 

On this first day, I began to realize how much Milan’s neighborhoods are like people themselves. Each has its own rhythm and story to tell. Some are soft-spoken and gentle, others bold and assertive. These streets have personalities of their own, and the best way to read them is by walking slowly and letting them reveal themselves to you.