Retail

Milan, corporate canteen

“You can’t think about architecture without thinking about people.” It is precisely this quote from the renowned architect Richard Rogers that inspired the creation of the canteen for the employees of a prestigious high fashion maison, where we were involved as the general contractor.
Location:
Milan
Project:
GDG Design
General Contractor
Taramelli S.r.l.
Photographer
Giacomo Albo

“A forward-thinking project,” explained Marco Bottarelli, architect at GDG Design studio, which oversaw the design and interiors. “It stemmed from the client’s desire to completely renovate the corporate canteen, transforming it into a much higher perceived value space. Tight deadlines, attention to every detail—the challenge was met. Everything speaks of raw, authentic materials, craftsmanship, and expertise.”

The poetics of space, inspired by the captivating industrial atmospheres of the 1950s, is expressed through the use of simple stained oak wood elements, which lend a refined elegance to the environment. The softness and simplicity of the benches pay homage to Alvar Aalto, while the central table, “Last Supper,” is a heartfelt tribute to Pier Luigi Nervi and his architectural legacy. The execution was carried out with masterful ingenuity, skillfully balancing expectations, the rigour of the project, and the need for speed.

The project, which would normally have required a five-month timeline, was completed in just 90 days thanks to a meticulous study of the design and an obsessive level of planning and coordination of activities. Clearly, without the dedication of all the skilled workers involved in the project—around a hundred people working across the 300-square-meter site, including weekends and even night shifts—none of what I have described would have been possible.

Certainly, the toughest challenge was maintaining an exceptionally high level of quality and safety in a construction site that was constantly evolving daily, adapting to the ongoing activities.