Mutti CEO Francesco Mutti Details Tomato Pulp Installation at Milan's FuoriSalone

Francesco Mutti, CEO of the Mutti company, has previewed an immersive architectural installation called 'House of Polpa' that will be presented at the FuoriSalone event in Milan. The installation will be located at the University of Milan's Portico Richini and will transform the space with a vibrant red hue. Constructed using approximately twenty thousand cans of Mutti tomato pulp stacked on a steel framework, the walkable structure aims to amplify the chromatic intensity of fresh tomatoes while converting an everyday ingredient into spatial matter. The project aligns with the MATERIAE theme of Interni Magazine's FuoriSalone programming, reflecting Mutti's philosophy that tomatoes represent more than just a commodity—they symbolize care, creativity, and sustainability. The installation serves as a manifesto of circularity and zero waste, featuring a floor made from Mapei resin containing dried tomato peels from processing waste, thus repurposing materials that would typically be discarded. Inspired by a Pablo Neruda poem questioning whether a tomato house could exist and then be eaten, the design is intended to be progressively dismantled, with cans distributed to visitors to extend the installation's life beyond the event. This year marks the 55th anniversary of Mutti's Polpa di pomodoro product, with the twenty thousand cans representing roughly twenty thousand days of its existence since its 1971 market launch. The sensory experience engages multiple senses—sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell—and addresses technical challenges in transforming tin cans into safe, modular structural elements. Mutti hopes the installation will stimulate conversations about sustainability, beauty, and innovation, offering a glimpse into the company's identity and commitment to reducing environmental impact through its supply chain.