Vincent Van Duysen's first architectural commission for Molteni&C — a 1,400m² pavilion on the brand's historic Giussano compound, where the compound's 1950s heritage still lives side by side with a new, international vision.
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about this project
The Molteni&C expansion project in Giussano covers a 1,400-square-meter area, marking the first architectural work designed by Creative Director Vincent Van Duysen within the company’s grounds. This contemporary intervention was integrated into the historic site to define—as stated by Chairman Carlo Molteni—the Group’s new path of growth. The Compound preserves its 1950s heritage and the marks of masters such as Aldo Rossi and Luca Meda, evolving into a space that intertwines the historic memory of great Italian design with new international visions.
Van Duysen conceived the project to offer a 360-degree holistic experience, based on the idea of creating a “continuous dialogue between domestic environments and open spaces.” The journey into the heart of the Company unfolds through cloistered courtyards and “open-air rooms” designed by landscape architect Marco Bay, where vegetation envelops the Molteni&C | Outdoor collection furniture like organic sculptures. In this setting, the natural element is free to express itself, becoming a “soft embrace” for furnishing elements and new decor solutions.
Two large horizontal concrete elements—the floor and the ceiling—lead to the Pavilion, a multifunctional building designed for modern smart-working needs and as a place for both work and transition. Pairing simple volumes with large modernist-inspired glass surfaces, the structure is supported by a colonnade coated in MBMateria Smooth Pepe Nero and Polvere by MATTEOBRIONI, an artistic finishing plaster based on natural pozzolanic clay, cement, and fine-grained mineral binders.
Inside the Pavilion, the reception and hospitality area feature floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open to the outside. The interior walls are finished with MBTerra Natural Smooth fine-grained clay plaster in Panna, Pepe Nero, and Polvere shades.
Furthermore, the space is a living stage that in 2024 hosted the exclusive art exhibition by Kalpa Galleries, titled “PERENNI”, featuring works by artists Yoshimi Futamura, Federico Gori, and Marc Ricourt. Every detail, from the table settings by Csaba della Zorza to the bespoke lighting by Nemo Lighting, reflects a collective commitment to sustainability and quality. This collaboration makes the Molteni&C Compound a beacon of innovation and Italian craftsmanship worldwide.
Exhibition curated by: Gallerie KALPA Art Living, Olga Niescier
Interior design: Vincent Van Duysen
Lighting design: Nemo Lighting su design del direttore creativo belga
Outdoor design: Marco Bay
Mise en place: Csaba Dalla Zorza
Photography: DSL Studio-Delfino Sisto Legnani & Daniel Civetta
In real spaces
- What is the difference between the mineral and clay plasters used in the Molteni&C pavilion?
The Molteni&C project combined two distinct MATTEOBRIONI systems: MBMateria, a mineral plaster based on natural pozzolanic clay, cement, and fine-grained mineral binders, applied to the exterior colonnade; and MBTerra Natural, a pure clay plaster used on the interior walls. The choice reflects the different technical demands of each surface — mineral plaster for outdoor durability and weather resistance, clay plaster for the warmth and breathability required inside.
- Why was mineral plaster chosen for the exterior of the Molteni&C pavilion?
Exterior surfaces require finishes that can withstand weathering, temperature variation, and UV exposure without losing their integrity or appearance. MATTEOBRIONI’s MBMateria mineral plaster was selected for the colonnade precisely because it combines the natural, earthy aesthetic of a traditional plaster with the technical performance of a cement and mineral binder system — durable outdoors while visually consistent with the clay finishes used inside.
