Arca Milano Opens as Hybrid Cultural Hub in Milan's Romolo District

On January 22, 2023, Arca Milano inaugurated as a multifunctional cultural center in Milan's semi-peripheral Romolo district, blending exhibition spaces, a concert hall, cocktail bar, and bistrot. The building, designed by Claudio Lucchin and Architetti Associati, serves as the new zero-emission headquarters for Gruppo CAP, the public water utility of the Metropolitan City of Milan. Its architecture, inspired by Piet Mondrian's geometries, features seven levels (one underground), no architectural barriers, solar panels providing 70% energy autonomy, a rainwater and groundwater collection system, and 430 irregularly distributed ribbon windows clad in lava stone. The opening exhibition, "Il rifugio dei corpi," curated by Giorgia Massari and Sara Parolini, runs until February 22 and features emerging artists Edoardo Manzoni, Federica Balconi, Lucrezia Costa, Mauro Serra, Silvia Ontario, and Stefano Ferrari, exploring the concept of "living" and the body as a refuge. The project is managed by a team from Circolo Magnolia and Fred/Take it Easy, aiming to create a club attuned to contemporary needs, integrating art, music (live concerts and DJ sets), and food. The bistrot offers business lunch, evening service with refined dishes, and Sunday brunch, with a cocktail menu including classics, house drinks, and alcohol-free options. The center is expected to host meetings, talks, and workshops, fostering interaction with the local community.