park associati: the cube temporary restaurant, milan

'the cube by electrolux' by park associati, milan, italy
all images courtesy park associati
image © andrea martiradonna


in its second installment during the european tour, 'the cube' by electrolux designed by milanese practice park associati currently
overlooks the piazza del duomo in milan, italy. delicately perched upon via ugo foscolo 1, the pavilion contains a temporary restaurant
which will accommodate 18 individuals at one time and offer spectacular panoramas of the adjacent cathedral's spires, palazzo reale and
museo del novecento.  a large single table fills the open dining space, with clear views into the food preparation area.

performing live for guests, star italian chefs will prepare special lunch and dinner menus in the high efficiency,
energy saving kitchen furnished by electrolux. after the meal is complete, the table rises into the ceiling, transforming the internal program
into a lounge. the 140 square meters of occupiable area includes a 50 square meter outdoor terrace overlooking the bustling plaza below.



side elevation
image © andrea martiradonna


easily assembled and disassembled, the modular construct is prepared for a wide range of climates, even extreme conditions,
providing visitors with a comfortable experience. the white appearance produces a visual lightness to the structure and has been additionally
elevated from the roof to emphasize the visual lightness. the exterior's aluminum panels create a sense of movement with a laser-cut
geometric pattern which transitions in transparency to opaque to conceal the necessary components of the food preparation area.
all selected materials are innovative addressing technology and eco-sustainability as well as reusability.

the venue is taking reservations through april 26th, coinciding with the milan design week 2012.
availability and booking information may be found here.



outward view from the cube
image © andrea martiradonna


'it is one of those projects that open things up: in fact too often solutions resolve but do not leave space for the imagination,
for innovation, for evolution. this ‘cube’ that is not actually a cube, has a great proactive force and immediately presents itself
for what it is: defying the paralysis of thinking and the imagination.' -michele de lucchi



terrace overlooking the duomo
image © andrea martiradonna



table seats 18 guests at one time
image © andrea martiradonna



view of the structure from the piazza del duomo
image © andrea martiradonna



installation of the structure
image © andrea martiradonna



installation of the structure
image © andrea martiradonna



view of the structure from below
image © designboom



floor plan / level 0
1. dinner configuration
2. kitchen
3. storage
4. toilet
5. technical room
6. terrace



floor plan / level 0
1. living room
2. kitchen
3. storage
4. toilet
5. technical room
6. terrace



roof plan



section



elevation



elevation



unfolded skin



wall section detail
1. roof cover
2. roof of prefabricated steel elements
3. under facade of aluminum panels
4. main steel construction
5. ceiling of acoustic wooden panels
6. aluminum panel facade
7. floor of wengè boards
8. facade air screening
9. basement wooden beams



wall section detail
1. roof cover + prefabricated steel elements
2. ceiling of acoustic wooden panels
3. aluminum panel facade
4. floor of wengè boards
5. basement wooden beams



wall section detail
1. roof cover + prefabricated steel elements
2. main steel construction
3. ceiling of acoustic wooden panels
4. aluminum panel facade
5. floor of wengè boards
6. facade air screening
7. basement wooden beams



roof detail
1. roof cover
2. roof of prefabricated steel elements
3. under facade of aluminum panels
4. main steel construction
5. ceiling of acoustic wooden panels
6. aluminum panel facade
7. floor of wengè boards
8. facade air screening
9. terrace floor of wengè boards
10. basement wooden beams



summer efficiency diagram



winter efficiency diagram



aluminum panels diagram


project info:


client: electrolux home appliances emea n.v
period: 19 dicembre 2011 – 26 aprile 2012
architecture and interior design: park associati, milano – filippo pagliani, michele rossi
design team: lorenzo merloni (project leader), alessandro rossi, alexia caccavella, alice cuteri. fabio calciati_rendering
event concept and project management: absolute blue, bruxelles
graphic consulting and texture design: studio fm, milano, cristiano bottino, barbara forni, sergio menichelli, con libero corti
general contractor: zh, campo tures, (bz)
general coordination and structural engineering: general planning, milano; ing. giovanni bonini, project direction; francesco prennushi, site supervision
contractor: nüssli ag, hüttwilen, ch, frieder braun, maurizio ledda, maik rauch
mechanical and electrical engineering: greenville, milano; ing. fabrizio onofri
floor coverings: fmg spa, fiorano modenese, (mo), greenwood srl, salzano (ve)
external lighting: i guzzini, milano
interior lighting: zumtobel spa, milano
appliances: electrolux home appliance, electrolux professional appliance, stoccolma
hood: max fire spa, villotta di chions (pn)
furniture: driade spa, milano
carpets: kasthall italy, milano
area: 140 sq/m.