Architect, designer, jewelry creator, and urban policy expert.
Alessia Galimberti brings together a moltitue of disciplines and skills, all grounded in a single principle: true beauty, utility, and durability can only emerge from a deep, extreme awareness.
Alessia, what has your career background been so far?
After completing a degree in architecture and a PhD in urban projects and policies, I began my professional journey teaching at the Politecnico di Milano. My interest in political philosophy led me to collaborate with institutional figures on complex initiatives, including Milan’s Ecopass project. At the same time, my passion for design rooted both in my Brianzole heritage and my family’s entrepreneurial background drove me to explore the intersection of urban planning and design, guided by the belief that territorial development and economic growth are inseparable.
This approach eventually opened doors to leading companies in the furniture sector. Where I now oversee artistic direction and manage their visual identity.
Twenty years ago, I founded my studio, keeping its main office in Brianza, a region that allows me to guide clients through the production facilities. Letting them experience firsthand the craftsmanship and processes behind each product. This approach is highly valued, as it serves as a direct channel to showcase product quality.
Beyond design, the studio’s core activity lies in architectural and interior design for hospitality projects. This work is also carried out from our Shanghai office, opened with a partner, where we develop projects for hotels and large-scale shopping malls. In China, I also focus on product design, particularly in creating jewelry collections and premium wine bottles.
Truly multifaceted. There’s a palpable energy driving all of it.
Well, I must say I truly love my work—I consider it a hobby, and I never tire of deepening and expanding my knowledge. For years, I have specialized in the study of innovative and sustainable materials, exploring their applications in architecture and design as well as their environmental impact. This awareness has allowed me to adopt a more responsible approach in specific projects, such as the suite I designed for MODE, the Eco Mood Hotel in Rimini. https://www.modehotel.it/it_it/progetto/minimor/
Speaking of MODE, your project also included artworks created from recycled materials. What role does art play in your work?
Yes, the suite is designed as a small gallery, bringing together artists who share a commitment to sustainability and a thoughtful use of reclaimed materials. Including artworks made from repurposed waste allows new objects to emerge with a value that exceeds their original form, giving each space a unique character. This approach fits seamlessly with my philosophy of architecture.
I also believe it is essential to create projects that stand the test of time while remaining contemporary. To explain this, I often use the example of Audrey Hepburn and her iconic little black dress: a timeless piece that transforms completely depending on the accessories. Paired with sneakers and a tote, it becomes a casual daytime outfit; matched with Chanel heels and a Hermès bag, it turns elegant and almost ceremonial.
This is the principle I apply to hotel design: a neutral, refined base that can be “dressed” with furniture, fabrics, and artworks, shaping the identity of the space without ever compromising its essence.
What is your perspective on the relationship between art and hospitality?
As I mentioned, art plays a decisive role in “dressing” a hotel and defining its personality. Bringing art and, more broadly, culture into hotels offers guests an experience that goes beyond a simple stay. I truly believe that anyone leaving a hotel should take something with them in their heart, even if it’s only a suggestion.
I would also like to point out that opening hotels to art can attract not only guests but also the wider public. Hotels are increasingly becoming public spaces: places where people come for a coffee, use common areas for business meetings, or simply seek a welcoming environment to spend a few relaxing hours.
If a hotel were conceived as a small art gallery, many people would visit it for that reason alone, and it could even become “the destination” of a trip.
What do you think about Cinquerosso Arte?
I believe Cinquerosso Arte’s project is truly significant. A gallery that collaborates closely with professionals such as architects and designers, builds a strategic synergy, enabling the development of unique initiatives while also providing added value to the local community.
Art has the power to evoke emotions and spark curiosity, stimulating our imagination and expanding our perspectives.
