Fondazione Piero Portaluppi, Milano; courtesy of. Pictures: Antonio Paoletti
Fondazione Piero Portaluppi, Milano; courtesy of. Pictures: Antonio Paoletti
06 May 2024
What is the thread that links the company to one of the most important architects of the 20th century?
The thread linking the company to Piero Portaluppi was initiated by the reorganization of a villa in Via Rovani owned by Senatore Borletti d’Arosio, president of Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale.
This project led Portaluppi to design the company’s new headquarters in Milan. Initially planned as a two-storey building with a terraced floor, it was later modified to three storeys, showcasing elements typical of Portaluppi’s style at that time, blending Art Deco and Viennese Secessionist influences.
Fondazione Piero Portaluppi, Milano; courtesy of. Pictures: Antonio Paoletti
The headquarters’ façade featured distinct motifs like the sunburst plateau on the first floor, reflecting Portaluppi’s innovative vision for Milan. Subsequently, in 1936, Linificio commissioned Portaluppi for an extension that juxtaposed modernist and traditional styles. This collaboration extended to the design of a hydroelectric power station in Vaprio d’Adda in 1942 , showcasing Portaluppi’s signature stylistic elements. Despite no longer housing the company, these projects symbolize a period of significant economic growth and architectural renewal in Lombardy.
