Museo del Design Italiano at Triennale: 400 permanent collection pieces

Museo del Design Italiano refreshed at Triennale for Milan Design Week

The Museo del Design Italiano's renewed exhibition, reorganised in February 2026, is open at Triennale Milano during Milan Design Week. The route, curated by Marco Sammicheli and Marilia Pederbelli with installation design by Roberto Giusti, highlights key objects from the institution's permanent collection.

The display features 400 items that trace Italian design from the late 1920s up to 2005. All pieces come from the museum's own holdings—there are no loans—and are arranged to show the relationships between design, industrial production and social context.

Exhibition structure and highlights

The layout centers on a sequence of objects flanked by timelines that map the development of industry and material culture in Italy. Opposite, thematic sections explore recurring aspects of Italian design, such as:

• decoration and graphic design;
• attention to personal items and everyday objects (glasses, buttons, sanitary ware, sinks);
• self-design and material experimentation;
• communication and visual culture.

Accessibility and visitor services

The museum aims to be accessible to a diverse audience, with solutions developed in collaboration with accessibility specialists. Available supports include:

• Easy to Read materials and enlarged typography;
• CAA (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) supports and Braille texts;
• videos translated into LIS (Italian Sign Language) and International Sign;
• audio descriptions and tactile maps;
• sensory kits and backpacks for adults and children.

Why visit

The exhibition provides a dense, coherent overview of Italian design: beyond historical value, the arrangement encourages reflection on how design shapes daily life and behaviour. The route is intentionally welcoming, designed to spark interest and emotional connection with everyday objects.

Practical tips: check Triennale Milano opening hours and accessibility services in advance; book tickets where possible to avoid queues during Milan Design Week.