The Prada Frames symposium, a gathering of visionaries from diverse disciplines, took to the legendary Arlecchino train for its fourth edition in Milan. The mid-century electric train, originally conceived by Gio Ponti and Giulio Minoletti, has been meticulously restored by Fondazione FS Italiane and reintroduced into Italy’s rail network, maintaining its original 1950s design features.

The Birth of a Design Icon

The ETR.250 Arlecchino was a streamlined evolution of the ETR.300 Settebello, designed by Ponti and Minoletti. Built in 1960 by engineer Ernesto Breda, it condensed the format to four carriages rather than seven, making it more agile and economical to operate. Its inaugural journey during the Rome Olympics was from Bologna to Venice, reaching speeds of 187 km/h, a remarkable feat at the time.

• Architect and multidisciplinary designer Gio Ponti brought his architectural sensibility to every aspect of the Arlecchino, designing it as a form of mobile interior architecture.
• The train’s name, Arlecchino, was a direct nod to its vibrant color palette and theatrical presence.
• The ETR.250 Arlecchino was a ‘total design’ approach, reflecting Ponti’s postwar optimism and balancing spatial clarity with expressive detail.

Preservation and Restoration by Fondazione FS Italiane

After their introduction in the 1960s, four Arlecchino units were in transit. By the late 1990s, all but one of them had been dismantled. In 2013, Fondazione FS Italiane recovered the last surviving example, ETR.252, and began a decade-long restoration. The work was not just mechanical but deeply design-sensitive, aiming to preserve Ponti’s original vision while integrating modern safety systems.

1. The interiors were rebuilt, with the original seating layout and upholstery patterns replicated using updated materials.
2. The panoramic lounges, bar carriage, and color schemes were restored with fidelity to the 1960 design, while hidden upgrades such as air conditioning, new lighting, and the Train Control System (SCMT) brought the train up to contemporary operational standards.
3. The structural restoration involved lifting the carriages, rewiring electrical systems, and restoring the supporting frame before reassembling the train with its original spatial logic.

A Design Object in Motion, and Architecture in Transit

The Arlecchino continues to move—both literally and culturally—though no longer classified as a high-speed train. Its return to Italy’s rail network marks a rare case where a mid-century design object is not confined to the archive or museum, but reintroduced into public circulation.

“Mobility itself can be architectural,” emphasized Formafantasma, the design duo behind the Prada Frames symposium. “As much as the Arlecchino is a product of 20th-century innovation, its enduring relevance lies in how it frames landscape, movement, and design as a unified experience.”

A Masterpiece in Motion

The Arlecchino remains one of Gio Ponti’s most dynamic built environments—one that still delivers, quite literally, on the promise of design in motion. With its vibrant upholstery, aircraft-like silhouette, and panoramic lounges, it embodies the spirit of mid-century modern design.

The train’s colorful interior is a testament to Ponti’s innovative approach, where form and function blend seamlessly. The wraparound glass, translucent partitions, and vibrant color palette create a unique and captivating environment that invites the passenger to immerse themselves in the journey.

As the Arlecchino chugs along the rails, it serves as a reminder that design is not just a static entity, but a dynamic and ever-evolving force that can shape our experiences and perceptions.