Nestled in a quiet corner of one of Milan's most elegant neighbourhoods, Villa Necchi Campiglio is far more than a private residence. It is the embodiment of a sophisticated way of life and a reflection of an era when modernity was being embraced with remarkable refinement. Built between 1932 and 1935 to designs by architect Piero Portaluppi for the Necchi-Campiglio family, the villa represents an exceptional synthesis of tradition and innovation, balancing the rigour of Italian Rationalism with the subtlety of decorative expression.
Photo: arenaimmagini.it ©FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano
From the moment one enters, the house unfolds through a monumental entrance hall where natural light has been carefully orchestrated to emphasise the works of art on display. Arturo Martini's sculpture *Dead Lover* becomes an integral part of the architectural composition rather than a mere decorative object. Throughout the interiors, Portaluppi devoted extraordinary attention to materiality and craftsmanship. Parchment finishes, wall panelling in rare walnut and rosewood, finely inlaid floors and delicately modelled stucco ceilings were all meticulously designed and executed under the architect's direct supervision. The veranda was conceived as a spectacular *jardin d'hiver*, enclosed by glass walls that embrace a lush planted area, creating a subtle spatial dialogue between the interior and the surrounding landscape.
Photo: arenaimmagini.it ©FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano
A refined expression of the dialogue between tradition and modernity, the villa incorporated an impressive range of technical innovations that were remarkably advanced for its time. These included an internal lift, an intercom system, a dumbwaiter, an underground service tunnel with separate staff access, triple-glazed windows with high-performance joinery, an invisible heating system and even a private heated swimming pool—one of the first ever built for a private residence in Milan. This sophisticated technological arsenal, conceived and engineered by Portaluppi, functioned as an integrated ecosystem that transformed everyday living into an effortless experience of invisible comfort concealed beneath the building's restrained architectural language.
Photo: arenaimmagini.it ©FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano
In 1938, the family sought to soften the atmosphere of the interiors and commissioned Tomaso Buzzi to redesign selected rooms without compromising the coherence of Portaluppi's original concept. The result is a remarkably subtle transformation, where neoclassical elements—including aristocratically inspired furniture, monumental mirrors, richly textured tapestries and sumptuous draperies—introduce warmth and intimacy in contrast to Portaluppi's geometric restraint. The dialogue between the two architects is not one of opposition but of thoughtful layering. The rooms retain their functional clarity while simultaneously becoming intimate settings for private life.
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The upper floor accommodates the bedrooms and guest suites. The two bedrooms belonging to the Necchi sisters are arranged symmetrically and separated by an elegantly concealed gallery of wardrobes, while the bathrooms, clad in exquisite Arabescato marble, embody a discreet yet unmistakable sense of luxury.
Photo: arenaimmagini.it ©FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano
Over the decades, the villa evolved into an important repository of art. Donated to the Italian National Trust (FAI) in 2001, Villa Necchi Campiglio now houses several outstanding collections, including the De' Micheli Collection of eighteenth-century Venetian paintings, the Gian Ferrari Collection featuring major figures of Italian Modernism such as Wildt, de Chirico and Sironi, and the Guido Sforni Collection, which includes drawings by Modigliani, Fontana, Picasso and Matisse.
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Words by Andreea Dicianu
Discover the full version of this story in Volume IV.