ADI Design Museum – The Temple of Italian Design in Milan

ADI Design Museum – The Temple of Italian Design in Milan

In the heart of Milan, just steps from the Monumental Cemetery and the lively Isola district, stands the ADI Design Museum – Compasso d’Oro, a space dedicated to the excellence of Italian and international design. Inaugurated in 2021, the museum was born from the desire of the Association for Industrial Design (ADI) to provide a permanent home for the historic collection of the renowned Compasso d’Oro Award, the oldest and most prestigious international recognition in the field of design.

A place where design tells the story of society

The building that now houses the museum has a fascinating history: originally a tram depot from the early 20th century, later an electric power station, it was transformed into a modern and sustainable exhibition space thanks to the architectural project by Migliore+Servetto studio in collaboration with Italo Lupi. The result is a bright, dynamic, and welcoming environment that enhances the fusion between industrial heritage and contemporary creativity.

The permanent exhibition, titled “The Spoon and the City,” takes visitors on a journey through more than two thousand objects awarded the Compasso d’Oro from 1954 to the present. From iconic design pieces by Achille Castiglioni, Vico Magistretti, Ettore Sottsass, to more recent creations that reflect the evolution of taste and technology, each object represents a fragment of Italy’s creative history.

A living museum of exhibitions and experiences

The ADI Design Museum is not just a place of display, but a center for research and outreach that promotes events, talks, workshops, and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the great figures of design and emerging trends.
The museum also hosts the Junior Design Lab, a space designed for children, where design becomes play and discovery. The experience is completed by a cozy specialized bookshop, a café, and a public square open to the city, which often becomes a stage for cultural initiatives and installations.

A symbol of Made in Italy around the world

Visiting the ADI Design Museum means immersing yourself in an essential part of Italian identity. The exhibition highlights how design in Italy has never been just about aesthetics, but also ethics, innovation, and project culture.
Each awarded object tells a story of creativity, ingenuity, and attention to everyday life — values that have made Italian design a global benchmark.

Useful information for your visit

Address: 
Piazza Compasso d’Oro 1 (entrances from Via Ceresio 7 and Via Bramante 42) – 20154 Milan

Opening hours: 
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Closed on Mondays
(Last entry: 7:15 PM)

Tickets: 
Full price: €15.00
Reduced: €12.00 (under 26, over 65, students, groups)
Free admission for children under 14
The museum is cashless, so payments are made only by card or debit.
Online booking is recommended via the official website.

How to get there: 
Metro: M5 – Monumentale stop
Tram: lines 2, 4, 12, 14
Bus: lines 57, 70, 94
By bike: dedicated area for bicycles and scooters available

Official website: www.adidesignmuseum.org

The ADI Design Museum is more than just an exhibition space: it is a place of memory and future, where the history of Italian design continues to inspire new generations of creatives and to share the design intelligence of our country with the world.
A journey through objects, ideas, and dreams that have transformed everyday life into art.

Cover photo: ADI Design Museum