Milan, October 1, 2025 – A new high-performance display case, designed to meet the highest conservation standards while optimizing environmental impact, has been installed at the Museo Civico Archeologico of Milan by Goppion, as part of the SmartEco research project carried out in collaboration with the National Research Council of Italy (CNR).
The new case was created to house the Patera of Parabiago, a masterpiece of late-antique metalwork and one of the most prestigious objects in the museum’s collection, previously displayed in a case no longer capable of ensuring optimal conservation conditions.
Constructed entirely of noble and recyclable materials such as glass, aluminum, and steel, and painted with non-toxic epoxy powders, the case was designed to minimize the emission of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) inside the display volume. It features an external lighting system that does not interfere with the internal microclimate and includes a custom-made support for the artifact produced using certified 3D-printed materials compatible with conservation. The case underwent rigorous airtightness and environmental stability tests, which it passed successfully according to the highest international scientific standards, and it is designed to integrate air filtration and monitoring systems.
The SmartEco project – Intelligent and Eco-compatible Technologies for Museum Conservation – brings together Goppion and the CNR’s Institute of Heritage Science in developing new technological solutions for cultural heritage conservation, with a particular focus on environmental sustainability.
“SmartEco is a tangible example of innovation applied to museum conservation,” said Costanza Miliani, Director of the Institute of Heritage Science at CNR. “It combines the use of sustainable materials and advanced technologies with a particular focus on air quality inside display cases.”
This project demonstrates the importance of investing in solutions that protect cultural heritage effectively and responsibly
Patrizia Venturini, General Manager of Goppion.
Through this initiative, the Archaeological Museum of Milan is now equipped with a state-of-the-art conservation tool for showcasing an iconic artifact, highlighting the crucial role of collaboration between scientific research and industry in museum innovation.
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