New “Estivale” kitchen by Benedini Associati for Key Cucine

What would the Gonzaga kitchen be like today if the Dukes of Mantua still lived at the Palazzo Ducale? How big would the pantries be? Where would the serving staff put the plates and tankards? What materials would they opt for with the help of their architect? And what stoves and household appliances would they choose to comfortably manage the banquets with illustrious foreign guests?

Key Cucine, in collaboration with the Benedini Associati Studio, has tried to imagine the scenario: the Gonzaga family always demonstrated impeccable aesthetic taste, but also great attention to innovation and an appreciation of bold and original solutions, which made them patrons par excellence throughout the nearly 400 years of their reign.

Realized made-to-measure for the exhibition “Gonzaga Lifestyle 2016: art, design and domestic spaces in comparison with the past”, underway until the 11th of September in the rooms of the historic residence Estivale (or Rustica) of the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, “Estivale” kitchen will be part of the Key catalogue and available since next September 2016.

The project envisages a large island measuring four metres in length with a lava stone floor featuring the installation of latest-generation professional Dutch stoves with doors that have been coated with an incredibly unique non-toxic material, which adheres to the surfaces like a second skin and substantially improves the microclimate within the ambient. This material is Matteo Brioni's Terra Cruda, namely a composition of clay and natural inert materials, whose mustard and slate colours are the result of the mixing of different clays hailing from diverse regions.

Beyond the large island, two cabins house the stoves, fridge and immense pantry spaces featuring doors coated with Matteo Brioni TerraEvoca, which is also natural clay, characterised however by the high-relief technique and is both hand crafted and customisable with different textures.

The kitchen is now located in the “Rustica” (or Estivale) apartment, an important area of the Palazzo Ducale museum complex, which is made up of various rooms.

Source: Key Cucine

Read more news related Key Cucine published at Infurma

Read more news related Benedini Associati published at Infurma

Visit the Key Cucine website