luca cipelletti crafts modular cork installation at triennale milano

A Creative Space for Children in milan

Gioco, a new creative space for children, has opened at the Triennale Milano as part of the larger redesign of the Piano Parco. Designed by AR.CH.IT Luca Cipelletti, the project introduces a flexible, interactive environment of modular blocks of cork to be reconfigured and used for hands-on exploration. The initiative comes with the institution’s commitment to accessibility and family engagement, following the strategic plan and the Triennale Manifesto for families, which was introduced in 2025.

The project can be found within the renovated Piano Parco in Milan, and welcomes children and their caregivers throughout the day. The space is at once a structured educational setting and a free-use area. While it accommodates workshops led by the Triennale Education Department, it also invites informal playtime in-between.

images © smarin studio, unless otherwise stated

cork modules for play

With his Gioco space for the Triennale Milano, architect Luca Cipelletti emphasizes adaptability and material honesty. Furnishings by French studio smarin use modular cork blocks and flat pine surfaces chosen for their durability, along with their sustainable and tactile qualities. Assembled without nails or screws, these lightweight elements can be rearranged to create seats, desks, partitions, or loungers, allowing the interior to shift quickly between a workshop, playroom, or contemplative retreat.

The layout’s flexibility encourages spontaneous interaction. When the room is cleared for larger activities, the blocks can be neatly stacked and stored, maintaining a sense of openness without sacrificing function. This design supports both individual creativity and group learning, lending a space that is adaptable as the activities it hosts.

Gioco opens as a new creative space for children at the Triennale Milano

Luca Cipelletti designs for families

Gioco also integrates practical amenities for families visiting Triennale Milano.  Stroller parking, lockers, a water dispenser, and child-friendly restroom facilities ensure comfort for visitors of all ages. Nearby, Cucina Triennale adds a children’s menu, extending children’s inclusion outward into the rest of the Triennale.

The installation’s library extends the invitation to explore. Its collection includes illustrated books in Italian and English, silent picture books, and volumes introducing Italian Sign Language, with augmented and alternative communication options to broaden accessibility. Triennale Junior Albums offer interactive activities that link the space to current exhibitions, enriching the visit beyond play.

AR.CH.IT Luca Cipelletti designs the flexible interior of Gioco

the project is part of the larger Piano Parco renovation at Triennale Milano

modular cork and pine furnishings by smarin encourage hands-on play