ADI Design Museum

About the museum

The ADI Design Museum is in Milan, in Piazza Compasso d'Oro, in a 1930s building that was formerly a depot for horse-drawn trams and an electricity distribution plant. It opened to the public on 26 May 2021 and brings together in one place the historic collection of the Compasso d'Oro award, which ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale, Italian Association for Industrial Design) has given since 1954, based on an idea by Gio Ponti.

The collection, managed by the Fondazione ADI Collezione Compasso d'Oro established in 2001, includes around 2,500 projects: objects of Italian design and works by designers such as Gio Ponti, the Castiglioni brothers and Enzo Mari, accompanied by sketches and prototypes that show how each piece came into being. The permanent display follows the chronological order of the award's editions and changes over time as new documents arrive.

Alongside the permanent collection the museum offers a programme of contemporary design exhibitions and cross-disciplinary events. Visitor services include the Treccani Lab bookshop, the bistrot and the Junior Design Lab, which runs workshops for children aged 5 to 13.

Highlights

• Historic Compasso d'Oro collection with around 2,500 projects
• Chronological route from the first editions in 1954 to today
• Objects and projects by Gio Ponti, the Castiglioni brothers and Enzo Mari
• Sketches and prototypes documenting how the projects came about
• Junior Design Lab with workshops for children

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione storica del Compasso d'Oro – Chronological route through the projects awarded the Compasso d'Oro since 1954, with objects, sketches and prototypes.

Founded

2021

Operated by

Fondazione ADI

Visitors per year

approx. 98,011

Admission & discounts

Free admission for ADI members, IED staff and students, journalists, professional tour guides, ICOM members and other categories listed on the website. Special rates for ATM subscribers and holders of the Institut français Milano card. The museum does not accept cash: payment is by debit or credit card only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All three public entrances are at street level, with no changes in level. The exhibition spaces, the bar-bookshop and the toilets are on the ground floor; any exhibition on the basement level is reached by the lift near the Galleria entrance or by the stairs. Accessible routes run through the exhibition rooms, there are two accessible toilets, and staff are present at every entrance. Emergency routes are signposted and alarms are both visual and audible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Junior Design Lab offers workshops for children aged 5 to 13, with a separate ticket.

Getting there & parking

The museum's entrances are also at via Ceresio 7, via Bramante 42 and piazzale Cimitero Monumentale.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

ADI Design Bistrot and Treccani Lab bookshop on the ground floor.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum offers the option of hosting events in its spaces.

Plan your visit