The productive fabric that lurks on the outskirts of large cities, not too close to the hectic life of the city centre but not that far away to not be accessible to those who live there – who can therefore work there – has been the driving force behind the development of Paris, New York and Barcelona. And also Milan. From these premises was born “Manifatture Aperte” (open wharehouses, Ed.), promoted by the City of Milan and now in its second edition.

The event will be inaugurated by an evening of musical experimentation, on Thursday 28 November, at BASE Milano creative hub, which this year will be the event’s headquarters, with a debate organised by Comune di Milano and Nema – Rete Nuove Manifatture, which this year has organised the programme of activities and meetings.

Then the two-days of guided tours and workshops, open to the public, will allow visitors to learn about the production processes of more than 100 spaces – there were 70 in the 2018 edition – that work in an innovative way with handcrafted and digital products: ateliers, laboratories, shops, factories, makerlabs and training schools. Just to give you an idea of what you can discover, between Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November, ranging from an old goldsmith’s shop to a modern tailor’s shop that makes custom garments, from a historic silverware company to digital manufacturing laboratories, from coworking laboratories between architecture and craftsmanship to a wallpaper factory: a skillful and varied mix of tradition and innovation that, on a technical level, embraces pliers and bolts, ovens, lathes and chisels but also the most sophisticated instruments such as 3D printers, CNC cutters, plotters and laser cutting machines.

“Milan has always been a centre for high-value manufacturing activities. In addition to the great tradition of high craftsmanship that has always distinguished the city, in recent years have grown many projects that have revived and relaunched the know-how of the city thanks to design and new technologies. All these experiences contribute to consolidating the economic and social fabric of the city by bringing together different generations and sensibilities”, commented Stefano Micelli, president of the Advisory Board Manifattura Milano.

The municipal administration believes very much in this initiative, which sees it as an important step to encourage the return of light manufacturing in the city and, to tend, regenerate areas of the city. This potential was well received by young people, who made up the majority of the 5,000 visitors to the 2018 edition. 

To visit the factories, ateliers and all the other realities participating in the initiative, you must register on the website www.manifattureaperte.it. Entry is free of charge. Each place is indicated on a map and connected to the explanatory cards, while nine thematic routes allow you to organize visits: art workshops, technology 4.0, workshops of passions, theater manufacturing, factories of design, manufacturing in the neighborhoods, circular and sustainable manufacturing, women and manufacturing, manufacturing with social impact.