The Classroom Opens in Milan's Former Montessori School

A new art and education center called The Classroom has launched in a former Montessori school at Via Porpora 81 in Milan. The 500-square-meter building, still under renovation by Lorenzo Bini / Binocle, will house the center in its basement while the upper floors become a private residence. Founded by Paola Nicolin, Giulia Mainetti, and Giovanna Silva, The Classroom debuted with a program by artist Adelita Husni-Bey from April 8 to 19, 2016. The program included an exhibition, a seminar, and a public conference spread across the Via Porpora venue, Bocconi University, and Triennale Milano. Husni-Bey's exhibition featured a model of Cairo 2050, a film, drawings, and works created with students from École Vitruve in France. The educational workshop component took place at Bocconi University's Openside space as part of the Bocconi Arts Campus program, involving a team of university students. The space, despite unfinished walls and floors, aims to foster collaboration and sensitivity over hierarchy.