A journey between past and future featuring previously unpublished photos and videos, immersive and interactive installations, cultural insights and historical testimony

A unique discovery of major construction sites in Italy and around the world, enhanced by simulators that illustrate people’s lives from the 1930s to today

MILAN, February 10, 2026 – Having or not having access to water; having or lacking electricity; being able or unable to travel… these are all conditions that determine the quality of life of an entire population. The exhibition “EVOLUTIO”, promoted by the Webuild Group and open to the public from February 11 to April 7 at the “Leonardo da Vinci” National Museum of Science and Technology (Via Olona 6a entrance) in Milan, under the patronage of Assolombarda, tells the story of Italy’s social and economic progress during the past 120 years. It is a narrative of a country growing with its infrastructure – a story of ingenuity and craftsmanship.

“At a historic moment of profound change both in Italy and abroad, public works represent fundamental and strategic levers to ensure competitiveness, accessibility and resilience for local communities. This is also the case when there are major international events, such as those currently taking place in Milan,” said Pietro Salini, Chief Executive of Webuild. “EVOLUTIO is an invitation to rediscover the value of ‘doing’. Today, Italy is called upon to ensure its long-term industrial competitiveness by building safe and sustainable infrastructure that creates skilled jobs and an immediate economic value. Connections through infrastructure are the essential preconditions to position ourselves as a hub for new international supply chains. Road and rail networks must be viewed as an integrated system capable of linking peripheral and more developed areas. The revitalisation of hydropower and major dams is also crucial: energy is one of the key assets on which the country’s future depends,” Salini concluded.

“It is no coincidence that the “EVOLUTIO” exhibition is hosted in Milan at the National Museum of Science and Technology,” said Fiorenzo Marco Galli, General Director of the Museum. “The museum is a place of gathering where history, ingenuity and innovation come together to narrate the evolution of ideas and technologies. In this context, the story of contemporary infrastructure highlights the central role of research, science and technology in everyday life, as well as their value as a source of inspiration for future generations. Starting with the display of the “Stefania” tunnel-boring machine, used in the construction of the M4 metro line, the collaboration between Webuild and the Museum continues. It is now taking shape in a cultural project that speaks of the past and future of an Italian excellence recognised internationally.”

The exhibition illustrates how Italy’s journey over the past century has moved in step with the development of its infrastructure – dams, water systems, metro lines, buildings, railways, highways, and bridges – each contributing to improving people’s living standards. 

The exhibition unfolds across several thematic spaces dedicated to energy, water, transport, urban construction, and building techniques. In each area, arranged chronologically by decade, visitors are guided by videos, images, and texts that illustrate the projects and the historical context in which they were developed. Two topics accompany the visit: “The Days: How People Lived”, offering a portrayal of everyday life across the decades; and “Italy’s Journey: The Works”, illustrating the evolution of various types of infrastructure – dams, bridges, roads, and more – that act as engines of progress that significantly improve people's lives. The reference is to the classical work of Hesiod, “Works and Days.”

With approximately 95,000 people, including direct and indirect employees, working on projects in 50 countries, Webuild is one of the world’s leading players in large, complex infrastructure. In Italy, the Group is one of the world’s leading players in large, complex infrastructure. In its home country, it is carrying out some of the most strategic projects for sustainable mobility and ecological transition, working with a chain of 15,200 suppliers that are involved since the start of a work. It is an industrial ecosystem that enhances expertise, innovation and execution capabilities, contributing to Italy’s growth, competitiveness, and global excellence.