Vibrant, redesigned Perugia cultural newsstand with integrated public seating and publication display.

Giuseppe Arezzi Transforms Historic Perugia Newsstand into Vibrant Cultural Oasis

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Written by Sam Johnson

2026-10-30

Revitalizing a Historic Landmark

Perched along the iconic Sant’Ercolano staircase in Perugia, the Edicola 518 kiosk, now renowned in the local cultural kiosk scene, has been dramatically transformed by renowned Italian designer Giuseppe Arezzi. This innovative project, part of the Laboratorio di Creatività Contemporanea initiative backed by the Italian Ministry of Culture, has turned a previously commercial newsstand into a dynamic cultural and reading hub. The site, reopening on June 1st, 2026, now serves as a community-centric venue, celebrating its decade-long presence.

For another transformative project, Prada’s expansion in Milan showcases how heritage sites can evolve into modern cultural spaces.

Street view of the modern newsstand along Sant’Ercolano staircase.
all images by Giovanni Emilio Galanello, courtesy of Edicola 518

A Striking Architectural Reconfiguration at the Italian Designer Project

Giuseppe Arezzi, a multidisciplinary designer, retained the kiosk’s original exterior while introducing a bold monochromatic red finish that contrasts sharply with the surrounding stone structures. Inside, he replaced the typical vendor counter with a stepped, multifunctional furniture installation crafted from lacquered oak. This design cleverly conceals technical elements and offers integrated seating. Central to this wooden structure is a stainless-steel fountain, providing free drinking water to passersby. The renowned kiosk has become a focal point for modern design enthusiasts.

Newsstand located on historic Sant’Ercolano staircase, Perugia, Italy.
Edicola 518 is sited along the historic Sant’Ercolano staircase in Perugia, Italy

Innovative Features for Public Engagement

The re-engineered window frames now act as external display racks for independent magazines and art books, strengthening the position of the local cultural kiosk as a vibrant cultural hub. An expanded exterior platform ensures the seating area remains open beyond business hours, seamlessly integrating the kiosk into the public space. Additionally, the project features “Ambo,” a unique 20-centimeter modular stool-bookstand. Created in partnership with the Seed Festival, these elements serve both as portable seating and display surfaces, adapting to the varying terrain of the stepped location.

‘Observing the location of the Sant’Ercolano staircase, I wanted to preserve the daily ritual that historically belongs to the newsstand,’ Arezzi reflects. ‘While people once stopped to purchase information, today they pause to process it through rest and reading. I interpreted the kiosk not merely as micro-architecture, but as a versatile, spatial piece of furniture, where every technical element is conceived to foster interaction and the free enjoyment of public space.’ The historic landmark thus continues the tradition of being a place of community engagement.

A similar blend of history and modern design is found in the Pirate Mansion renovation which celebrates stainless steel and legacy charm.

Bright red exterior of newsstand contrasting with historic setting.
a saturated red exterior preserves the original shell while marking a sharp chromatic departure
Open counter fosters interaction, removing traditional barrier.
the design removes the traditional barrier counter to foster spatial permeability
Stepped furniture inside newsstand crafted from red-lacquered oak.
stepped interior furniture is precision-crafted from red-lacquered oak panels
Central stainless-steel fountain in the newsstand offers free water.
a central stainless-steel fountain provides free drinking water to the public
Fountain seamlessly integrated into newsstand's timber interior structure.
the stainless-steel fountain is integrated into the timber structure
Operable windows doubling as exterior publication display racks.
updated operable window frames double as outward-facing publication display racks
Kiosk reimagined as civic place for reading and engagement.
the project rethinks the newspaper kiosk typology as a civic infrastructure for reading
Ambo stool designed in collaboration with Seed Festival.
the Ambo modular stool was created in collaboration with the Seed Festival
Ambo stool matches urban stairs' 20-centimeter elevation.
measured at a height of 20 centimeters, Ambo matches the elevation rise of the urban stairs
Ambo functions as stool and angled book display stand.
Ambo operates as both a portable low stool and an angled book display stand
Giuseppe Arezzi commissioned to redesign magazine kiosk.
Italian designer Giuseppe Arezzi was commissioned to redesign the independent magazine kiosk
Micro-architecture includes functional public furniture in historic context.
the micro-architecture integrates functional public furniture within a historic urban context
Exterior seating areas remain accessible during evening hours.
exterior seating zones remain open and functional during evening hours when the stall is closed
Close-up of colorful magazines displayed at Perugia newsstand.
Cultural oasis in bustling Perugia community, visualized at dawn.
Architectural details showcasing unique fusion of old and new.
Public engaging with newsstand, exploring publications and resources.
Vibrant, redesigned Perugia cultural newsstand with integrated public seating and publication display.

Source: designboom.com

Frequently asked questions

How has the kiosk been transformed?

Giuseppe Arezzi transformed the Edicola 518 kiosk by retaining its original exterior and introducing a bold monochromatic red finish. Inside, he installed a multifunctional furniture crafted from lacquered oak, concealing technical elements and providing integrated seating. A stainless-steel fountain was added for free drinking water.

What innovative features does the redesigned kiosk have?

The re-engineered window frames act as external display racks for magazines and art books. It includes ‘Ambo,’ a 20-centimeter modular stool-bookstand created with the Seed Festival, used as seating and display surfaces. The exterior platform design keeps the seating area accessible beyond business hours, integrating it into the public space.

What is the purpose of the new design?

Giuseppe Arezzi’s design aims to preserve the newsstand’s daily ritual by transforming it into a space for rest and reading. He sees the kiosk as a versatile, spatial piece of furniture that fosters interaction and the free enjoyment of public space, continuing the tradition of community engagement.

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