PPG Initiative Helps to Revitalise Historic Villa in Milan

PPG Industries Inc (PPG) announced the completion of a Colourful Communities project in Milan, Italy, that helped revitalise the Villa Arconati, a historic villa in the hamlet of Castellazzo di Bollate that is the headquarters of the Fondazione Augusto Rancilio (Augusto Rancilio Foundation).

The Colourful Communities program provides PPG volunteers and products, along with financial contributions, to bring colour and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Milan and nearby Cavallirio, Italy, where PPG has automotive refinish and architectural coatings plants.

The project brought together more than 125 PPG employees from the Milan, Lainate and Cavallirio sites who volunteered approximately 550 hours to revitalise the villa’s iron façade and historic gardens. PPG provided more than $26,000 in funding and products, including SELEMIX and SIGMA COATINGS paint products.

The Fondazione Augusto Rancilio, which is focused on architecture, design, urban planning, and artistic and historical protection and promotion, served as a project partner. The foundation is working to restore and develop the villa, which is considered an Italian imagining of Louis XIV’s palace at Versailles in France. The villa’s present structure was completed by the Arconati family in the 18th century and is an expression of the attention to detail and elegance of the Lombard baroque style.

The villa, which is part of Italy’s artistic heritage, is visited by more than 40,000 people each season. The Colourful Communities project will help the Fondazione Augusto Rancilio expand community access to the site through cultural, educational and private events.

“PPG is honored to help the Fondazione Augusto Rancilio in its mission to restore and beautify the Villa Arconati to its original state and splendor. Our volunteers did an extraordinary job restoring this important community asset, and it was impressive to see their enthusiasm and engagement,” said Silla Giusti, PPG marketing director, automotive refinish.

“The collaboration between the two PPG sites and businesses is an excellent example of how we are working together through the Colorful Communities program to revitalize community jewels around the world,” added Alessandro Borzino, manager director, PPG Univer.