Planetario di Milano's original atrium decorations restored

The Planetario di Milano, Italy's largest planetarium, has regained its original entrance hall decorations. The octagonal building, designed by architect Piero Portaluppi and donated by publisher Ulrico Hoepli, opened on May 20, 1930. The interior decor studio Pictalab Milano, together with designer Nicolò Castellini Baldissera (Portaluppi's great-grandson), recreated the original celestial map on a dark blue background that once adorned the atrium. The decorations were lost during post-war renovations. The project began two years ago when Pictalab's Orsola Clerici met the civic curator Fabio Peri. The restored atrium will be presented on October 29, along with seven faithfully reproduced lamps by Portaluppi and two original marble ticket booths discovered during work. A matching wallpaper collection called "Cosmo" was also launched, inspired by Portaluppi's astral decorations for the Casa degli Atellani. This is part of a broader recovery of Portaluppi's graphic work, including the 2022 Portaluppi's Herbarium collection and the 2023 Portaluppi Pattern Project.