Italo Rota on Playful Architecture and the Future of Design

In an interview with Artribune, Italo Rota, an architect from Milan born in 1953, explores the concept of play within architecture. Renowned for his work on the Museo del Novecento in Milan, the Kuwait Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015, and the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, Rota distinguishes between creative imagination and mere childish mimicry. He critiques small construction toys, advocating for expansive city-building games, while also expressing admiration for Bruno Taut's game. Although he hasn't created a construction game himself, he acknowledges the success of titles like Monopoly and Lego for their urban representations. Rota connects playful design to miniaturization, citing the Kaleidoscope Doll House. He heads the Design Department at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan and collaborates with AGO Modena Fabbriche Culturali.