From 18 September to 18 November 2025, the Fabiani Halls of Palazzo Medici Riccardi will host the exhibition La modernità può costruire altrimenti. Gae Aulenti e la Toscana (Modernity Can Build Otherwise. Gae Aulenti and Tuscany), dedicated to the great architect and designer, one of the most important and influential figures of the “short century”. Starting on 4 October, a second section of the exhibition itinerary will also open at the CAMBIO Cultural Centre in Castelfiorentino.

The initiative is promoted by Fondazione Architetti Firenze (FAF), Master Museo Italia (MII) of the University of Florence, and the Gae Aulenti Archive in Milan, thanks to the support of the Metropolitan City of Florence, Fondazione Cambiano, and Fondazione MUS.E.

The exhibition, curated by Professor Emanuela Ferretti of the University of Florence and architect Silvia Moretti of Fondazione Architetti Firenze, unfolds in eight thematic sections, presented through a selection of drawings from the Gae Aulenti Archive, photographs, specially created project models, and digital narratives. The project also involved the students of the MII and the School of Architecture of UNIFI.

The strong relationship between Tuscany and Gae Aulenti (1927–2012) began in the early 1960s, when the architect collaborated with the companies Poltronova and Martinelli Luce, resulting in two icons of Italian design: the Sgarsul chair and the famous Pipistrello lamp.

As for architecture, in 1969 she began working for the Pucci family: redesigning the Altana of Palazzo Pucci in central Florence and reimagining the garden of the villa in Granaiolo (Castelfiorentino).

Her connection with Tuscany was further consolidated through the design of a villa in Pisa (still standing today) and the creation of the Galleria del Libro (no longer existing) in Viareggio. The relationship deepened in the mid-1970s in Prato thanks to her collaboration with Luca Ronconi on several stage designs. It later developed with numerous architectural projects, including: the new entrance to Santa Maria Novella Station from Platform 16 (1990), the redevelopment of the square in front of Stazione Leopolda (1996), and participation in major competitions such as the New Exit of the Uffizi (1998) and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (2001).

The choice of a dual venue — Palazzo Medici Riccardi and the CAMBIO Cultural Centre in Castelfiorentino — is deliberate: Palazzo Medici Riccardi presents the main projects for the city of Florence and the Tuscan territory, while CAMBIO offers an in-depth focus on Aulenti’s work in Castelfiorentino and on the theme of housing. This exemplifies the dialogue between tradition and contemporary design, highlighting relationships and connections with a territory beyond traditional cultural tourism circuits, sparking interest in the cultural heritage of the past fifty years as well as in the key figures of our contemporary era.

An exhibition that invites reflection on the potential of contemporary architecture in the context of historic cities and landscapes, with the multiple resources and drive for meaningful change it brings. Showcasing Gae Aulenti’s work and projects for Tuscany provides a valuable opportunity to reopen public debate on inevitable urban transformations through effective, sustainable, and high-quality responses.

With the patronage and contribution of Regione Toscana, Fondazione CR Firenze, Ance Firenze, Unioncamere Toscana; with the patronage of Comune di Firenze, Comune di Castelfiorentino, Camera di Commercio di Firenze, Fondazione FS Italiane, Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci, Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, and Ordine Architetti Firenze; made possible thanks to the contribution of FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) Italia and Berni Store, and supported by Martinelli Luce and Unicoop Firenze.