While the San Siro stadium now seems destined for demolition, another symbol of postwar Milan is preparing for a new life. The former Marchiondi-Spagliardi Institute, a Brutalist masterpiece by Vittoriano Viganò, will become a university residence for more than 160 students. The city council has approved the technical and economic feasibility plan for the restoration and rehabilitation of the complex on Via Noale, in the Baggio district. After decades of abandonment, the Marchiondi will have a second life thanks to the Fondazione Collegio delle Università Milanesi, which will manage it under a free loan agreement for forty years.

The history and architectural significance of Italy’s first Brutalist building—as defined by Reyner Banham—have already been discussed here.

Designed by Vittoriano Viganò in the 1950s, the complex was originally built to host disadvantaged youth and stands as one of the most radical expressions of Italian Brutalist architecture: exposed concrete, open spaces, modular structures, and a strong social purpose. A model of the Marchiondi has been part of the MoMA’s permanent collection for years.

The Marchiondi was both a laboratory of pedagogy and integrated architecture, but it was gradually abandoned until its final closure in the 1980s. Since 2008, it has been protected by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage as a site of historical and artistic interest. Despite the efforts of a research group from the Politecnico di Milano—and various attempts at temporary reuse, such as the “Reforming Future” exhibition during the 2023 Design Week—the “rescue” had never materialized, until now.

The restoration plan, approved by the Superintendence, foresees a total investment of 45 million euros, with 36.7 million funded by the Ministry of Universities and 6 million by the City of Milan for site remediation. The project, titled Life from Arts, will breathe new life into the 22,000-square-meter complex, transforming it into living, educational, and cultural spaces for students and young artists.

“We are working on an ambitious project, born to heal a wound and give back to the city a vibrant and vital place,” said Deputy Mayor Anna Scavuzzo, emphasizing the social significance of the initiative.

The Marchiondi is a piece of Milanese architectural history — a building that shaped postwar design research through its expressive power and educational vision. After years of neglect and unrealized restoration proposals, largely due to the enormous costs, the opening of the construction site scheduled for next spring represents a decisive step forward. It remains to be seen whether, after decades of abandonment and efforts to reactivate it, this monument by Viganò will truly adapt to contemporary needs — without losing its identity.

Opening image: Photo Alberto Trentanni, 2020