The 2004 Salone outlines certain central themes which are of extraordinary interest and importance at the present time: communications and tourism; the role of the architect in the planning of art venues and museums; the reform of legislation regarding heritage and culture; training and master courses; and the artistic and cultural patrimony. An important novelty of the exposition - spread over an area of 14,000 square metres - is that it is set out so as to present a sort of one-way 'cultural route' leading around the stands, and every now and then opening onto open spaces, 'piazze della cultura', each with its own special theme (such as restoration, communications, technology, etc); not forgetting meeting rooms and refreshment areas. As the director of the Salone, Maurizio Cecconi, says: 'A great window overlooking a great city: to ponder, understand, discuss'.