The new turnstiles of the Milan subway are designed by Pininfarina

The iconic appearance of the Milan subway is gradually evolving under the influence of technological advancements. Recently, new Vasari turnstiles by SAIMA Sicurezza, designed by Pininfarina, have been installed in stations such as San Donato, Duomo, San Babila, and Cadorna. These turnstiles feature tall, transparent glass panels that prevent trespassing while maintaining an unobstructed view. They are also equipped with advanced sensors that stop the gates from opening if two people attempt to pass with a single ticket. The design process went beyond merely improving the ticket-validation mechanism; it involved an in-depth user experience study to identify solutions that streamline passenger flow. “Our analysis revealed that turnstiles often create confusion about the direction of the turnstiles, particularly for occasional travelers and tourists, who are more likely to cause congestion in crowded situations. That’s why we decided to make the gate’s direction clear by adding perimeter lighting to guide users along the correct path,” explains Nicola Girotti, Head of Product Design at Pininfarina, in an interview with Domus. Harking back to the universal color codes for access and restriction, green and red lights respectively indicate active turnstiles and those directing traffic in the opposite direction through a much more prominent luminous display than before, making their function clear.

The turnstiles’ design also stands out for its tapered form, which transforms the passage from an architectural barrier into an inviting gateway. The choice of metal as the primary material, a nod to the original turnstiles designed by Franco Albini, ensures durability even when used inappropriately. 

Nicola Girotti, Head of product design at Pininfarina

“Without indulging in overdesign, we focused on creating a few distinctive features that convey a strong identity. This reflects Pininfarina’s hallmark approach – achieving elegance through details that define character without excess,” Girotti adds. Milan's transportation network planned a gradual replacement of the old turnstiles with the new Vasari gates across the entire subway system. As a result, the original turnstiles – aligned with the iconic painted handrail designed by Albini and Franca Helg, which still remain an undisputed symbol of the Milan metro – will slowly vanish from the city’s subway stations.