The Italian Pavilion was designed to the Milan 2015 Expo, this structure by Andrea Maffei uses a simple design to represent the rich and multifaceted history of Italian culture. The building has a gross area of 12,758.4 square meters and a maximum height of 25 meters.
Courtesy of Nemesi
Each level of the four story structure is composed reflect specific artistic and architectural movements that have flourished in Italy. Not only does each layer of the building have its own historic character, but also vary in degrees of openness, as well as form material, and color. The main materials used are concrete, steel, glass, and wood.
Courtesy of Nemesi
At the ground level the ubiquitous idea of the piazza in the Italian city is explored with baroque roof embellishments, creating an inviting and welcoming entrance to the pavilion. From the ground level an escalator brings visitors directly to the large roof garden.
The first level is defined by renaissance organization and geometric shapes while the second layer echoes the baroque with its undulating forms and white color palette reminiscent of marble. Finally the tree-like structure and gardens on the roof level pay homage to the long history of Italian agrarian and garden culture.
Courtesy of Nemesi
Project info :
Country : Milano, Italy
Area : 27000 m²
Year : 2015
Manufacturers : Pontarolo Engineering, Progress Profiles SpA, Styl CompContractors: Mantovani Group, Italiana Costruzioni, Italcementi Group, Styl-Comp Group, Stahlbau Pichler Srl
General Contractor: Italiana Costruzioni
Design : Nemesi & Partners Srl, Arch. Michele Molè Founder and Director and Arch. Susanna Tradati Partner Associate and Project Manager
Design Team Coordinator : Alessandro Miele
Team : Alessandro Belilli, Claudio Cortese, Kai Felix Dorl, Daniele Durante, Enrico Falchetti, Alessandro Franceschini, Davide Giambelli, Alessandra Giannone, Paolo Greco, Sebastiano Maccarrone, Paolo Maselli, Matteo Pavese, Fabio Rebolini, Giuseppe Zaccaria Fabrizio Bassetta, Tiziano De Paolis, Francesca Fabiana Fochi, Chiara Maiorana, Mariarosaria Meloni
Design Partners : Livio De Santoli, Proger Spa
Kristin Hoover is an editor at Arch2O and a proud graduate of Virginia Tech. Since joining in July 2014, she has authored over 200 insightful articles covering everything from adaptive reuse and cultural centers to eco-buildings and urban infrastructure . With a passion for architectural storytelling, Kristin skillfully curates and crafts compelling narratives that bring design innovation to life. Her editorial work reflects a broad yet finely honed interest in how architecture intersects with society, technology, and the environment—making her a key voice shaping Arch2O’s explorations of contemporary built form.