In October 2023, Pedrali celebrated its 60th anniversary in a new pavilion designed at AMDL CIRCLE by architect and studio founder Michele De Lucchi, located at their headquarters in Mornico al Serio (Bergamo Province, Italy). This eco-friendly building is home to the exhibition “Pedrali60, we design a better future”, curated by Luca Molinari Studio.
The anniversary exhibition is dedicated to the theme of the company's family and business values with a progressive view of the future. The pavilion has the shape of a large raised roof with two exhibition levels, with a large portico on the ground floor reflecting the metaphor of a common dimension for building the future. The entire structure is made of PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified wood. This synthesis of artisanal tradition and production innovation is at the heart of the company's fundamental values. The project responds to Pedrali's need to create a temporary, flexible and functional architecture that emphasises their commitment to continuous renewal and meets the goal of sustainable forest management.
The Pavilion is like a large roof that stands on its own two legs, approachable via a staircase that is also a grandstand where people, visitors, spectators can stay together. In this mobile and movable exhibition space, shows and events can be staged, which tell the story of the existence of a company, a community of people building together something that deserves to be built, distributed, sold, told, combining together the destinies of many individuals.
Michele De Lucchi, architect, founder of AMDL CIRCLE
The pavilion has a large vaulted roof with strong wooden supports and arched portals connected by horizontal beams. This design gives the building an enveloping style and allows natural light to penetrate inside. The exhibition can be visited both on the upper level and on the ground floor, where it continues and inspires reflection on the responsibility for the balance of the planet.
The project includes a metaphorical forest of mirrors that conveys the words and faces of people who join the Pedrali community. The exhibition unfolds along two wooden panels that reveal the company's 60-year history in stages through the voices of prominent figures, prototypes, graphic designs, catalogues and projects, demonstrating its growth and development over time.
"The Pedrali Pavilion is located in our Headquarters, where everything we do is conceived and comes to life. Here ideas and plans for the future are forged. The decision to build the Pavilion in our local territory reminds us of our roots, our environment. This is a new space that belongs solely to us and which will be the legacy of this very special anniversary," says Monica Pedrali, CEO of the company.
The entrance staircase has a dual function: it serves as an access point to the exhibition and a space where visitors can relax, socialise and take part in presentations and discussions. At the top of the staircase is a reception area that hides the space behind it from the public eye, which arouses curiosity about what is hidden inside. It is here, in the gallery suspended between the vaults, that the tour begins.
One side of the double-sided panels houses the physical objects, while the other side contains monitors that collect testimonials and voices from the Pedrali community. Wooden stands positioned between the arched portals draw attention to the most significant design objects, showcasing the expertise and production skills of this 100% Italian-made company. The route ends at the open end of the gallery, inviting guests to look to the future. A second staircase leads to the portico on the ground floor, where the exhibition continues. This space is inspired by the loggias of ancient public buildings that were once the centre of life in northern Italian cities, where residents could stroll, socialise and take refuge from the weather.
The exhibition spans 60 years of the company's history, showcasing its growth and development. In this unique space, visitors can delve into the history of Pedrali and its community, creating a prismatic portrait of the future.
The exhibition offers a critical re-interpretation of an important element of Italy’s design scene, and a look to the future drawing on Pedrali’s strong entrepreneurial and innovative drive. Community, research, experimentation, sustainability, widespread quality, strong ties with the territory, and a two-way dialogue with designers are just some of the elements that characterize the exhibition and its paths.
Luca Molinari, architect, critic, curator, professor
The history of Pedrali dates back to 1963 when a workshop for the production of chairs and tables for outdoor use was founded in the small town of Mornico al Serio in northern Italy, and it has grown to become one of the leading manufacturers of furniture for restaurants and for public spaces in the world.
Even after 60 years of existence, Pedrali remains one of the most important factories specialising in the production of furniture for the HoReCa segment, which uses the latest technologies to create ergonomic and diverse shapes. The Italian brand collaborates with numerous famous designers to create high-quality models that regularly receive awards for their style and comfort, including Eugeni Quitllet (Spain), Patrick Jouin (France), Jorge Pensi (Argentina), Claudio Bellini (Italy) and other skilled and renowned artists.
Pedrali has designed projects for many prominent restaurants around the world, including Alain Ducasse: The Dorchester, a 3-star Michelin restaurant in London, inside the ancient royal residence of Versailles. In addition, the company has had a hand in miX, located inside the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, miX at the Emerald Palace Kempinski in Dubai, and LAGO at the Bellagio Resort & Casinò in Las Vegas.
This active involvement of hospitality professionals, the constant search for new forms, meanings and approaches, the desire to improve its products through the use of new materials and research in the field of material science makes Pedrali a major industrial giant with an impeccable reputation.
The company maintains the tradition of producing furniture for commercial enterprises, homes and public places — cafes, restaurants, bars, theatres, hotels, offices and museums — in Italy, ensuring high quality and compliance with standards in all its products, actively working to reduce environmental impact and use environmentally friendly materials.
