In Milan’s southern district, Galleria Montegani stands as a striking intersection between contemporary art and modernist materiality. Italian design studio NM3, in collaboration with Numero 10 Architetti, has outfitted the gallery with its signature stainless-steel furniture—bringing an ethos of raw minimalism, modularity, and “low-tech sustainability” into sharp focus.
A gallery forged in steel
NM3, the Milan-based design collective known for its industrial stainless-steel furniture, has shaped the interior of Galleria Montegani into a space that blurs the lines between gallery, lounge, and event venue. The project is a continuation of NM3’s practice of crafting spaces that resonate with functional clarity and brutalist elegance.
Working closely with the gallery’s founders—friends of the studio—the designers combined archival prototypes, past collection pieces, and custom-built designs to suit the spatial needs of the venue. The result is a cohesive environment where each element speaks the same material language, yet maintains flexibility for varied programming. “We were happy to incorporate unique prototypes and even discontinued pieces for Montegani,” said Francesco Zorzi, NM3’s chief creative officer. “It’s a personal project as much as a professional one.”
Raw space, refined presence
The spatial design leans into a concept of “economy and reduction,” intentionally keeping the gallery in a semi-finished state. Exposed walls, unpolished surfaces, and a deliberate absence of decorative interventions provide a blank canvas that both foregrounds the artwork and emphasizes the spatial role of furniture.
“The space is left raw—almost like a construction site right before handover,” said Zorzi. “That condition of ‘in progress’ is part of the atmosphere we wanted to create.”NM3’s steel elements—ranging from low sofas with steel bases to angular desks and shelving units—are arranged to allow reconfiguration. This modularity supports a dynamic calendar of events, including exhibitions, dinners, performances, and talks. For example, a set of standard-sized desks can double as collaborative workstations or be joined to form a long banquet table, as seen during a Milan design week dinner hosted by fashion retailer LN-CC.
Function, form, and fidelity to material
Every piece in the gallery is an expression of NM3’s commitment to singular materiality. The firm works almost exclusively with stainless steel—not simply for aesthetic effect, but as a principled stance on design process and sustainability.
“Steel resonates with classic modernism—think Mies van der Rohe, Egon Eiermann, Fritz Haller,” said Zorzi. “It also allows us to maintain a short production chain, which keeps emissions and costs low.”NM3 describes this approach as “low-tech sustainability”—a philosophy that centers on durability, minimal manufacturing complexity, and long life cycles. The belief is that well-constructed, single-material furniture can perform like architecture: lasting for generations without the need for surface finishes, frequent maintenance, or material replacements.
The inclusion of stainless-steel planters and even a steel DJ desk reflects this holistic application of the material. Whether serving as focal points or support elements, each object contributes to an environment that is self-contained, versatile, and striking in its consistency.
Steel as trend and timeless tool
While NM3’s devotion to steel precedes its resurgence in popularity, the material has undeniably become a favorite in recent years. From Parisian coffee shops to Milan design week installations, steely mono-materiality is now a recurring motif in contemporary interiors.
NM3, however, distances itself from trendiness. Their use of steel is not opportunistic, but rather a studied extension of modernist design lineage and a desire for operational efficiency. “We’re not chasing trends,” Zorzi affirms. “We’re chasing permanence.”
Indeed, the Galleria Montegani installation exemplifies this mindset. In a moment when interiors often seek comfort through softness and natural textures, NM3 offers an honest counterpoint: cool, hard-edged, unapologetically material, and profoundly flexible.
A living gallery of design intent
Galleria Montegani is more than a container for contemporary art—it is itself a curated environment of industrial elegance. NM3’s intervention turns the gallery into a living catalog of its practice, offering a clear and uncompromising take on how material and form can serve both function and philosophy.
The collaboration stands as a testament to how thoughtful restraint—executed with precision and purpose—can create spaces that are not only visually compelling, but also deeply adaptable. Here, steel is not just a finish; it is an ideology, a structure, and an enduring aesthetic.
Project details:
Project: Galleria Montegani Interior
Location: Milan, Italy
Design: NM3 in collaboration with Numero 10 Architetti
Material focus: Stainless steel
Functions: Art gallery, event venue, lounge space
Status: Completed
Photography: DSL Studio
