Architecture and Interior Design in Italian Picturebooks. A case study of Bruno Munari

Focusing on the historical evolution of architecture and interior design as reflected in children’s literature, this paper examines how socio-cultural transformations from the 19th century to the post-war period shaped narratives of childhood and domesticity. While Italian children’s literature serves as the immediate framework, Bruno Munari’s works transcend national boundaries, embedding themselves within a broader historical context marked by modernist design movements, educational reform, and the post-war reimagining of family life and urban spaces. Munari’s creations do not merely illustrate stories but act as dynamic commentaries on the cultural shifts of their time. They reflect the modernist aspiration to democratize art and design, the influence of pedagogical theories prioritizing creativity and self-expression, and the societal push to redefine childhood in light of changing family dynamics and urbanization. By challenging traditional notions of childhood and embedding materiality and spatial design into narrative forms, Munari offered young readers tools to engage with and reinterpret their environments, fostering a critical awareness of their social and cultural surroundings. This study situates Munari’s works within the interconnected realms of children’s literature, material culture, and the socio-political currents of mid-20th century Europe, demonstrating how his visual narratives capture both the specificities of Italian culture and the universal concerns of modernity, community, and education.