designboom's ultimate guide to milan design week 2024

MILAN DESIGN WEEK IS BACK!

Milan Design Week 2024 is fast approaching, and we are here to help you prepare for all the exciting things coming up with our annual guide! This year, the world’s largest design event is bound to take over the streets of the Italian city from April 15th to 21st, 2024. Featuring the renowned Salone del Mobile program, as well as a series of exhibitions and events across the city, there’s plenty to be excited about.

Curious to discover what Milan is up to?

From must-see installations and pop up events to talks and exhibitions, designboom’s ultimate guide to Milan Design Week 2024 ensures you won’t miss this year’s highlights. Once again, Architonic and ArchDaily join designboom — the world’s first online magazine (born in Milan!) — in covering the ins-and-outs of Milan Design Week 2024 through the fair guide and city guide, informed by our collective pursuit to distribute creative culture and insights.

We will be updating this guide with all the latest news on the go, so stay tuned! To get a glimpse into previous Milan Design Week editions, you can check out our guides here, and here, while you can follow our LIVE coverage on @milan.design.week.

illustration by Hara Nika

SALONE DEL MOBILE

image courtesy of Salone del Mobile.Milano

The 62nd edition of Milan’s annual trade fair, Salone del Mobile.Milano (find more here), returns from April 16th to 21st during Milan Design Week 2024. Embracing the theme Where Design Evolves, the fair highlights evolution and innovation as pivotal concepts, providing a compass for the global design industry. Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, anticipates approximately 2,000 exhibitors, consistent with the previous year, and expects to welcome over 300,000 visitors worldwide. This edition celebrates the 25th anniversary of SaloneSatellite, a significant platform showcasing emerging designers under 35. In contrast to 2023’s focus on Euroluce, this year’s Salone will feature EuroCucina—a biennial exhibition dedicated to kitchens and bathrooms. Notably, organizers unveil an enhanced layout for the trade show, integrating human-centric pathways crafted through collaboration between architects and neuroscientists. Additionally, Salone del Mobile.Milano announces an installation by acclaimed American filmmaker David Lynch, located at Pavilions 5-7.

what: Salone del Mobile.Milano
when: Rho Fiera fairground
where: 16 – 21 April 2024

fuorisalone – materia natura

image © EX. (Andrea Cassi e Michele Versaci) e Giorgio Ferrero (MYBOSSWAS) courtesy of Fuorisalone

Fuorisalone 2024 (find more here) is set to be a vibrant convergence of designers from across the globe in Milan, from April 15 to April 21. Under the theme Materia Natura, the event aims to foster mindful design practices, emphasizing sustainability as a core principle. This edition showcases events, exhibitions, and installations scattered throughout the city, focusing on circular economy, reuse, and sustainable materials. Collaborations between designers, architects, schools, and institutions will shape the discourse around shaping our present with an eye on the future of our environment. Held in conjunction with the Salone del Mobile.Milano, this edition of Fuorisalone highlights the importance of integrating nature into design processes to create a more sustainable future.

what: Fuorisalone 2024 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024 

BRERA DESIGN DISTRICT

illustration by Studio Ianus, courtesy of Brera Design District

Brera Design District (find more here) announces its fifteenth edition of Brera Design Week, supporting the theme Materia Natura suggested by Fuorisalone. The event underscores the district’s pivotal role in promoting international design culture year-round, with a focus on lifestyle, art, and fashion. Exhibitions spanning material innovation, service design, and technology offer insights into evolving market dynamics and the interconnectedness of society with its material environment. Building on previous successes, Brera Design Week anticipates over 210 events, including 15 new showroom openings, totaling over 260 events district-wide, showcasing the district’s vibrant design landscape.

what: Brera Design Week 2024
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Brera Design District

ISOLA DESIGN FESTIVAL

image courtesy of Isola Design

The eighth edition of the Isola Design Festival is themed This Future is Currently Unavailable encouraging designers to explore how design and new craftsmanship can shape the future of our planet. This year, the festival, organized by the digital and physical design platform Isola (find more here), introduces new locations such as Lampo Milano, WAO PL7 and Galleria Bonelli, which will be open for the first time, transforming them into prominent design hotspots. More than 320 international designers, studios, creatives and manufacturers will participate in over 40 locations, including 3 main hubs.

what: Isola Design Festival 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Isola Design District

Masterly – The Dutch in Milano

image courtesy of Masterly

Masterly (find more here) returns to Milan’s historic Palazzo Giureconsulti for its eighth edition. Curated by Nicole Uniquole, this edition boasts eighty-five participants, offering a rich tapestry of contemporary design interpretations ranging from avant-garde furniture to cutting-edge digital installations, highlighting the diverse and dynamic landscape of Dutch design. Among the selected participants are Simone van Es’s nature-focused ROOTS exhibition, Robert Bronwasser’s sustainable designs, Aptum’s geometrically shaped and brightly colored light lines, the Aleksandra Gaca X Casalis collaboration, and many others.

what: Masterly – The Dutch in Milano
when: 16 – 21 April 2024
where: Palazzo Giureconsulti, Piazza dei Mercanti 2

ALCOVA

image by Piergiorgio Sorgetti

The seventh edition of Alcova (find more here) — the platform for independent design developed by Space Caviar and Studio Vedèt — takes place from April 15-21 in the setting of two emblematic villas in the Milan metropolitan area: Villa Borsani and Villa Bagatti Valsecchi. Villa Borsani, completed in 1945 and designed by Osvaldo Borsani, is renowned for its Modernist architecture, lush gardens, and unique features such as a Lucio Fontana fireplace. It also houses the Archivio Osvaldo Borsani. Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, constructed for a noble Milanese family as a summer retreat and entertainment venue, represents a significant example of 19th-century villa architecture in Lombardy. Both villas host Alcova’s carefully curated selection of experimental designers, institutions, and a diverse program of talks and performances, all focused on exploring the future of living and design.

what: Alcova 2024 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Villa Borsani, Via Umberto I, 148, Varedo and Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 48, Varedo 

5vie – Unlimited Design Orchestra

image courtesy of 5VIE ART AND DESIGN

In its eleventh installment, 5VIE Design Week (find more here) celebrates the convergence of designers, collectible design, exquisite craftsmanship, and innovative combinations of art and design, all within the historic core of Milan. Building upon last year’s Design for Good theme, which emphasized the growing importance of mutual care among humans, this year’s Unlimited Design Orchestra seeks to delve deeper into its essence. By drawing inspiration from musical elements, particularly orchestras, the event aims to underscore the intrinsic human and humanistic dimensions of design. This approach resonates with the cultural movement initiated by Francesco Petrarca in the latter half of the 14th century, which revitalized the concept of ‘studia humanitatis’ and placed humans at the forefront of all considerations, giving rise to Humanism.

what: 5VIE ART AND DESIGN – Unlimited Design Orchestra 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:30
where: Palazzo Litta, Corso Magenta 24

Doppia Firma

image courtesy of Doppia Firma

Now in its eighth edition, Doppia Firma – Double Signature (find more here) Project celebrates the union between design innovation and the tradition of great master artisans, creating an unexpected blend between a designer/artist and a craftsman or excellent craftsmanship. Unfolding round the theme of Gret Milan, this year’s event features the following pairings: include Ahmad Angawi / Fratelli Boffi, Elliot Barnes / Pietro Virzi, Marco Campardo / Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, Cristina Celestino / Serapian, Natalia Criado / La Fucina di Efesto, Nada Debs / Artèpura, Chris Fusaro / Argenteria Miracoli, Agostino Iacurci / Rosetta Gava, Materra-Matang / Stefano Villa, Nendo / Tonino Negri, Ludovica Serafini + Roberto Palomba / Anita Cerrato, Jean Servais Somian / Giordano Viganò, Studio Job / Ganci Argenterie, Elisa Uberti / Pino Grasso Ricami, Marcel Wanders / Ambrogio Carati.

what: Doppia Firma – Double Signature Project
when: 16 – 21 April 2024
where: Villa Mozart, Via Mozart 9

L’Appartamento by Artemest

image courtesy of Artemest

Artemest (find more here) presents the second installment of L’Appartamento, a showcase celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of Italian craftsmanship and design. The showcase is set in the Residenza Vignale, a distinguished Milanese mansion dating back to 1905-1907 and nestled in the vibrant 5Vie district. The space is curated by Elicyon, GACHOT, Rottet Studio, Studio Meshary AlNassar, Tamara Feldman Design, and VSHD Design. The six prestigious interior design studios will each design one of the rooms using exclusively Artemest furniture, lighting, décor, and art by some of the finest Italian artisans, brands, and artists.

what: L’Appartamento
when: 16 – 21 April 2024
where: Residenza Vignale, Via Enrico Toti 2

Design Variations 2024 by MoscaPartners

Hemp Scape by Park Associati | image courtesy of Park Associati

MoscaPartners (find more here) invites architecture firm Park Associati (find more here) to conceptualize and design the exhibition spaces at the new Design Variations venue—an erstwhile garage located in the historic Darsena area of Milan, within the 5VIE district. This year, Design Variations welcome visitors with a site-specific installation titled Corridoio by the French, naturalized Italian, artist Nathalie Du Pasquier. Du Pasquier will craft twelve large decorative panels, printed on MEG, a durable material by Abet Laminati, known for its resilience to light and harsh weather conditions, making it suitable for outdoor and architectural applications. In line with previous editions, this artwork transcends the bounds of Milano Design Week, embracing a sustainable approach to ensure its continuity. 

what: Design Variations 2024 by MoscaPartners
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Garage, Viale Gorizia 14

Baranzate Ateliers

image courtesy of Baranzate Ateliers

Baranzate Ateliers (find more here) returns to Milan Design Week for its second edition, occupying a vast 1950s industrial building near Linate. Baranzate Ateliers — the brainchild of Zaventem Ateliers founded by Lionel Jadot in 2019 – follows a trend of transforming industrial spaces in European cities into vibrant hubs for innovative design. Reviving the concept of medieval guilds, their unique hive-like approach brings together an unprecedented community of like-minded makers and fosters a stimulating environment for creativity and experimentation. This year’s program features collectible designs by acclaimed figures from Zaventem Ateliers, including Lionel Jadot, Arno Declerq, Maison Jonckers, KRJST Studio, Thomas Serruys, and Adeline Halot, that intricately reflect their social and environmental values. The line-up is enriched by guests designers and studios such as Studio Khachatryan unveiling a new collection of stone and wooden furniture. Additionally, collectible design gallery Objects With Narratives and European collectives such as Belgium is Design present compelling projects at the intersection of art, design, architecture, and fashion.

what: Barazante Ateliers
when: 15 – 21 April 2024 
where: Via Gaudenzio Fantoli 16/3

CAPSULE PLAZA

billboard image: Cecilia Poupon, courtyard photographer: Rui Wu/T-Space Studio

The second edition of Capsule Plaza (find more here) returns, to take over its dedicated location at Spazio Maiocchi, a former industrial landmark in the Porta Venezia area, alongside a new venue: the renowned Milanese destination, 10 Corso Como. Capsule Plaza, a blend of a fair and a collective exhibition, reunites designers and companies from diverse creative domains, connecting industry and culture through a dynamic, multisensory curation spanning interiors, architecture, beauty, technology, innovation, and craft. Co-curated by Capsule’s founder and creative director, Alessio Ascari, alongside architect Paul Cournet, this edition includes prominent names like RIMOWA, HERZOG & DE MEURON, POLTRONOVA featuring Harry Nuriev, VERNER PANTON in collaboration with Vitra, Amini, &Tradition, Verpan, Offecct, Montana, NIKE ALPHAFLY 3 featuring Alaska Alaska, HYDRO, BD BARCELONA featuring Muller Van Severen, ECCO LEATHER, TIFFANY & CO., UGG featuring James Bantone, LA PRAIRIE, IITTALA featuring Damsel Elysium, NICEWORKSHOP, MARSOTTO EDIZIONI featuring David/Nicolas, and more exhibitors to be announced.

what: Capsule Plaza
when: 16 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:30 
where: Spazio Maiocchi, via Achille Maiocchi 3-5-7 and 10 Corso Como, Corso Como 10

dropcity

image courtesy of Dropcity

Described as the new center for architecture and design in Milan, Dropcity (find more here) begins its auto-construction in April 2024. Through a hybrid mix of 3D printing and construction partnerships, the tunnels are constructed in real time, showing visitors the process by which Dropcity is literally built. These new technologies and materials are put into action, with partners including Kiel University and Tbilisi based building collective SOCII.

Founded by architect Andrea Caputo, the space is envisioned as a cultural apparatus, an instrument for architects and designers to create a dialogue around imagining and creating better worlds. The auto-construction is accompanied by a diverse array of exhibitions, talks, experiments, high-energy DJ sets and sound explorations, as well as live architectural and design interventions. 

what: Dropcity
when: 12 April 2024, 18:00 and 13 – 21 April 2024, 11:00 – 19:00
where: Via Sammartini 38 – 60

Belgium is Design – BOLD Dualities

Belgium is Design Milan Design Week 2024 – designers | image courtesy of Belgium is Design

Belgium is Design (find more here) makes a vibrant return to Milan Design Week with its exhibition, BOLD Dualities, curated by Baroness O. Featuring over 30 designers and design studios, the exhibition embodies its title by showcasing a daring and unconventional selection. Alongside established names, BOLD Dualities shines a spotlight on a burgeoning new generation of creatives. This year, the exhibition finds its home within Baranzate Ateliers housed in a monumental 1950s industrial building.

what: Belgium is Design – BOLD Dualities

when: 15 -21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00 
where: Baranzate Ateliers, Via Gaudenzio Fantoli 16

Superdesign Show

Oleg designed and created by Andrea Cingoli x Concepticon | image courtesy of Superdesign Show

Superdesign Show (find more here), the iconic event by Superstudio (find more here) returns with its 2024 edition focusing on embracing innovative thinking. This year’s event promises to be a tapestry of traditions, virtual realms, sustainable technologies, and inclusive choices. With participation from 11 nations spanning 3 continents, involving over 80 companies and showcasing nearly 40 cutting-edge projects, the Superdesign Show reaffirms its status as a must-attend event for designers, companies, and enthusiasts alike. The theme, THINKING DIFFERENT – everything, everywhere, everyone, calls for exploring unconventional design approaches to address the needs of Generation Z, respect nature, and leverage technology’s potential. Art director Giulio Cappellini’s choice of an uncommon bright green for the venue’s walls symbolizes nature, peace, and innovation. The exhibition’s display walls feature key words prompting visitors to contemplate bold ideas, reinforced by the question Why Not? highlighted by graphic artist Daniele Cima.

what: Superdesign Show
when: 15 -21 April 2024
where: Superstudio Più, Via Tortona 27

ZANAT

Genkan by Naoto Fukasawa | image courtesy of ZANAT

At the 2024 edition of Milan Design Week, ZANAT (find more here) introduces the launch of the new collaboration with Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa. In addition, the brand presents many other product novelties designed by Jean-marie Massaud, Patrick Norguet, Sebastian Herkner, Michele De Lucchi, and Ludovica + Roberto Palomba. 

when: 16 -21 April 2024
where: Hall 24, Rho Fiera fairground

showrooms

fornasetti – Ceci n’est pas une salle à manger

Fornasetti table Oggetti Sparsi | image courtesy of Fornasetti

Fornasetti (find more here) unveils Ceci n’est pas une salle à manger, the new collection of furniture and accessories. On this occasion, the Atelier presents its surreal interpretation of one of the most welcoming spaces in the home: the dining room. Furniture, such as tables, chairs and cabinet, as well as accessories will be displayed at Fornasetti store in Milan in a scenario that transform the dining space into a theatre of surrealism, where the boundaries of reality and fiction intertwine, and the magic of imagination meets the functionality of design.

what: Ceci n’est pas une salle à manger
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Fornasetti Store, Corso Venezia 21A

Issey Miyake – Fold and Crease

image courtesy of ISSEY MIYAKE

ISSEY MIYAKE (find more here) invites visitors to the Milan Design Week 2024 to discover the special installations created by the Dutch collective We Make Carpets (find more here). Known for their not-walkable surfaces made with large quantities of everyday objects, the Fold and Crease project speaks to the qualities and craftsmanship found in ISSEY MIYAKE’s clothing and philosophy.

what: Fold and Crease
when: 16 – 29 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00
where: Via Bagutta 12, 2021 Milano

BMW – FUTURE OF JOY

image courtsy of BMW Group

During this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan, the BMW Group design team (find more here) invites you to the Future of Joy exhibition highlighting the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, which is shown in Italy for the first time. The Neue Klasse is BMW’s answer to the challenges of future mobility – electric, digital, and sustainable. The exhibition provides a look behind the scenes of automotive design as an experience for all senses.

Join designboom and BMW Design for a live talk on Monday 15 April at 19:15 CEST. Titled ‘Design as Accelerator for Change’, the talk delves into the role of design, the new design era of BMW, and how design can be the catalyst for positive change in mobility and more. Moderated by journalist Eva Steidl, the panel features Alice Rawsthorn, design critic and co-founder of Design Emergency, and Holger Hampf, Head of BMW Group Designworks. Watch live here on designboom or on our Facebook page.

what: Future of Joy
when: 16 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00
where: House of BMW, Via Monte Napoleone 12

FENDI CASA

image courtesy of FENDI Casa

During Milan Design Week, FENDI Casa (find more here) unveils the Fendi F-Affair modular sofa by Controvento. Drawing inspiration from the elegance of the iconic FF logo motif, this modular upholstery piece features a three-dimensional silhouette that seamlessly integrates various configurations and personalities. The intertwining F’s symbolize a captivating fusion, resulting in a distinctive seating experience that embodies sophistication and innovation.

what: Fendi F-Affair modular sofa by Controvento
where: FENDI Casa Boutique Milan, Piazza della Scala

ALESSI – MYTH MAKES BELIEF

image courtesy of Alessi

Alessi (find more here) invites PlayLab, Inc. to craft an immersive installation with mythical origins, encapsulating and honoring the Italian brand’s poetic imagination. Visitors are invited to partake in whimsical collective experiences while uncovering the latest projects by Michael Anastassiades, Naoto Fukasawa with Samiro Yunoki, and Nendo.

what: Alessi – MYTH MAKES BELIEF
when: 16 – 20 April 2024, 10:00 – 20:00 and 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 18:00 
where: Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda, Via Alessandro Manzoni 41

Kengo Kuma AT the Albed showroom

Kengo Kuma (find more here) introduces Kodama, The Spirit of the Forest, an exhibition celebrating Japanese culture through the fusion of design and art, hosted at the Albed showroom (find more here). At the heart of the exhibition stands a monumental larch sculpture named Kodama (木霊), paying homage to the mystical spirits dwelling within Japanese forests. Originally conceived by Kuma in 2018 for integration into the landscape of Villa Strobele as part of Arte Sella, this sculpture embodies the seamless integration of architecture, art, and nature amidst the backdrop of the Trentino Alps.

what: Kodama, The Spirit of the Forest
when: 15 – 20 April 2024, 10:00 – 18:30 and 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 18:00 
where: Albed showroom, Via Gonzaga 7

Kartell

image courtesy of Kartell

Since 2019, Kartell (find more here) has partnered with Philippe Starck (find more here) have been developing the A.I. family, introducing new members each year. Marking the inaugural collection conceived with the help of artificial intelligence, it combines the vision from both the creator and the company’s expertise. Latest inclusions in the collection are the A.I Lounge and A.I Console.

what: A.I. Family by Kartell and Philippe Starck
where: Kartell Milano, Via Carlo Porta 1, ang. Via Turati

AESOP – Form follows formulation

image courtesy of Aesop

During Milan Design Week 2024, the new Aesop (find more here) store in Milan, located in Piazza Cordusio, is set to be transformed into a sensory artwork by Nicolas Schuybroek. Titled Form follows formulation, the installation draws inspiration from rows of Aesop products, aligning with the brand’s core philosophy of formulation. Reflecting the principles of the Arte Povera movement of the late 1960s and 1970s, the installation limits materiality to simple elements such as solid soap, while echoing the iconic monochromatic grid structures of Superstudio from the 1970s. Schuybroek employs unconventional construction methods, utilizing everyday materials like functional household objects arranged in a grid formation. Within the assembly, small rectangular cavities are created by removing the soap bars, forming portals through which visitors can enter the sensory world of Aesop products. The soap bars are supported by a delicate wooden structure that can be easily disassembled and reused in different locations after the exhibition.

what: Form follows formulation

when: 16 – 21 April 2024
where: Aesop Milano, Piazza Cordusio 2

Hermès

Hermès (find more here) presents its new creations for the home at Milan Design Week, including its new Tableware service titled Tressages équestres.

when: 16 – 21 April 2021

Tuesday 12:00 – 17:00

Wednesday 10:00 – 17:00

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 – 20:00

Sunday 10:00 – 18:00

where: La Pelota, via Palermo 10 

Gucci – design ancora

image courtesy of Gucci

Gucci (find more here) unveils Design Ancora, a project set to debut during Milano Design Week 2024 at the via Montenapoleone Flagship store. This initiative, led by Gucci’s Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, aims to explore the multifaceted concept of iconic design by presenting a special edition of five revered Italian design icons. These objects, symbolic of Italian heritage and particularly of Milanese culture, are reinterpreted to reflect contemporary relevance. Architect Guillermo Santomà designs the space to showcase these products, infusing his international perspective into the presentation. Following the event, the special edition items will be available for purchase on Gucci’s website, marking a fusion of tradition and modernity within the realm of design.

what: Design Ancora
when: 15 – 21 April 2024

where: Gucci – Milano Flagship, Via Monte Napoleone 7A

ARMANI CASA – echoes 

Armani/Casa (find more here) unveils its latest collection, Echi dal Mondo (Echoes from the World), drawing inspiration from the atmospheres, colors, and shapes discovered by the designer during travels and research endeavors. The series will be presented within the historic Palazzo Orsini, showcasing never-before-seen settings that embody the essence of intimacy and surprise, in harmony with the collection’s concept.

what: Echi dal Mondo (Echoes from the World)
when: 16 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 20:00
where: Palazzo Orsini, Via Borgonuovo 11

RONAN BOUROULLEC at casa mutina

image courtesy of Mutina and Ronan Bouroullec

Mutina (find more here) presents Résonance, a solo exhibition by Ronan Bouroullec (find more here). Previously presented at Centre Pompidou in Paris, the showcase celebrates Bouroullec’s unique creative vision, now unfolding across Casa Mutina Milano and the adjacent Spazio Cernaia, a temporary venue crafted specifically for this event. New tiles collections – indoor and outdoor – come to life in the two locations, along with new Editions, limited-edition ceramic objects set to enter the Mutina catalog from April 2024.

what: Ronan Bouroullec: Résonance
where: Casa Mutina Milano & Spazio Cernaia, Via Cernaia 1A, Milano

laufen – COLOuR archaeology 

installation by Matteo Fiorini – Studio Lys; and graphic design by Beda Achermann

LAUFEN (find more here) hosts the Colour Archeology exhibition curated by Roberto Sironi: an interdisciplinary exploration of art, design, archaeology, and color history spanning from 3000 BC to 1500 AD. The brand introduces a new palette of 12 ceramic colors developed with Studio Roberto Sironi, reinterpreting refined hues from ancient civilizations into contemporary and timeless nuances. The exhibition showcases hues inspired by ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Imperial China, ancient Japan, and Rome, drawn from an extensive analysis of over 10,000 archaeological finds.

what: Colour Archeology 

where: LAUFEN Space Milano, Via Alessandro Manzoni 23

LOEWE

After showcasing a playful collection of chairs during Milan Design Week last year, Spanish luxury fashion house LOEWE (find more here) returns to unveil its exhibition of lamps against the backdrop of the 18th-century Palazzo Citterio.

what: LOEWE lamps
when: 16 – 21 April 2021
where: Palazzo Citterio, Via Brera 12

DIMORECENTRALE – OCCUPAZIONE

image courtesy of Dimorecentrale

Dimorecentrale (find more here), the headquarter of Milanese practice Dimorestudio, presents Occupazione, featuring works by Yves Salomon x Chapo Création, Bonacina, Altai Gallery, Monde Singulier, Aesop, Maison Royère, Paradisoterrestre, Dimoregallery, Wallpaper San Patrignano and Nicola Guiducci.

what: Occupazione
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Dimorecentrale, Via G.B. Sammartini 63

Poltrona Frau – imagine collection

Imagine, Vanity Fair, Fornasetti x Poltrona Frau

Poltrona Frau (find more here) presents the Imagine collection, a dynamic showcase of creations that plunge into the depths of artistic inspiration. Embracing the boundless power of imagination, the renowned Italian brand presents a tribute to creativity’s limitless potential. Within the new collection and the many collaborations featured (including Draga & Aurel, Fornasetti and more), Poltrona Frau blurs the lines between art and design, pushing the boundaries of conventional furniture crafting.

what: Imagine collection
when: 10 – 14 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00 and 16 – 20 April 2024, 09:00 – 21:00 and 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00
where: POLTRONA FRAU FLAGSHIP STORE, Via Alessandro Manzoni, 30

UNIMATIc

image courtesy of UNIMATIC

Milanese watchmaking brand UNIMATIC (find more here) introduces Fluent in Italian, an homage to Bruno Munari’s iconic Supplement to the Italian dictionary. 

what: Fluent in Italian
where: UNIMATIC Flagship Store
, Via Meravigli 18
when: 16 to 22 April, 11.00-19.00

events and exhibitions

gaetano pesce at Biblioteca Ambrosiana

image courtesy of Gaetano Pesce

Gaetano Pesce (find more here) is back in Milan with the monographic exhibition Nice to See You at Biblioteca Ambrosiana. The show features around thirty works, old and new, but mainly unreleased, by the renowned architect, artist and italian designer. These are selected for both their functional role – intrinsic to the word ‘design’ — and as messages bearers: objects with a double meaning. Moreover, Gaetano brings L’Uomo Stanco — a monumental outdoor installation that speaks about the ethical tiredness of the so-called Stronger Sex. The installation will be placed in Piazza San Pio XI.

what: Nice to See You
when: 15 – 23 April 2024
where: Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Piazza Pio XI 2

nendo – whispers of nature

image courtesy of Nendo

Nendo (find more here) presents Whispers of Nature, a solo exhibition commemorating the studio’s 20th year at Milan Design Week. The show is set within a vast industrial complex revitalized by Paola Lenti into a bioecological architectural site featuring various functions such as a showroom, lounge, offices, greenhouses, an exhibition gallery, all arranged around a large central courtyard and multiple gardens. Amidst this setting lies a small, abandoned building, soon to be reborn as a boutique hotel in 2026, where the exhibition unfolds. Whispers of Nature showcases five collections that have been born from listening to the subtle murmurs of nature often overlooked in our daily lives: from the ambiguity of clouds, the relationship between light and shadow, the flow of time perceived underground or in a passing rain, plants soaked in water. Additionally, the Hana-arashi designed in collaboration with Paola Lenti is also scheduled to be unveiled on the same site.

what: Nendo: Whispers of Nature
when: 16 – 20 April 2024, 10:00 to 22:00 and 21 April 2024, 10:00 to 19:00 
where: Paola Lenti Milano, Via Giovanni Bovio 28

Prada Frames – being home

image courtesy of Prada Frames

Prada (find more here) unveils the 2024 Prada Frames symposium, curated by Formafantasma (find more here), delving into the intricate relationship between design and the environment. In its third iteration, themed Being Home, Prada Frames explores the concept of the home as a crucial framework for addressing contemporary challenges. Beyond being a space of comfort, the home serves as both a shelter and a hub of essential services, reflecting evolving socio-economic norms. The symposium will feature contributions from notable figures such as Paola Antonelli, Brigitte Baptiste, Kate Crawford, and others. Held at the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum (find more here) in Milan, the event promises insightful discussions on the multifaceted role of the home in our lives.

what: Prada Frames – Being Home
when: 14 – 16 April 2024
where: Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Via Gesù 5

Bottega Veneta – On the Rocks

image courtesy Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta (find more here) partners with Cassina (find more here) and Fondation Le Corbusier (find more here) for On the Rocks, a large-scale installation at Palazzo San Fedele featuring the bespoke LC14 Tabouret Cabanon stools from the brand’s Winter 24 show, as well as a new limited-edition stool with signature Bottega Veneta leatherwork.

what: On the Rocks
when: 16 – 20 April 2024
where: Palazzo San Fedele 

Formafantasma – La Casa Dentro (The Home Within)

image courtesy of Formafantasma

Design duo Formafantasma (find more here) presents La Casa Dentro (The Home Within), their solo exhibition curated by Alberto Salvadori at Fondazione ICA Milano (find more here). The body of work specifically developed for this exhibition, comprises of a series of furniture and light objects that explore themes of personal identity and collective memory. The works critically address the canons of Modernism, highlighting its gendered nature and rootedness in a conservative understanding of masculinity.

what: La Casa Dentro (The Home Within)
when: 10 April – 19 July 2024
where: Fondazione ICA Milano, Via Orobia 26

JR – la nascita

image © designboom

French artist JR’s (find more here) installation La Nascita transforms Stazione Milano Centrale and Piazza Duca d’Aosta into a surreal rocky landscape, blurring time and place boundaries. It pays homage to the station’s history, particularly its connection to the 1906 opening of the Simplon Tunnel. The installation overlays a rugged mountain facade onto the station, symbolizing the effort behind the tunnel’s construction. La Nascita integrates mineral formations into the station’s eclectic architectural styles, inviting viewers to reflect on the journey of life and humanity’s spirit of exploration.

what: La Nascita
when: 10 April – 1 May 2024
where: Stazione di Milano Centrale – Piazza Duca d’Aosta

GUFRAM with MOTION ITALIA at Palazzo Litta

image courtesy of Gufram

A unique collaboration emerges between Gufram (find more here) and Motion Italia (find more here), a leading Italian company specializing in motion mechanisms for sofas. The result is GUFRAM IN MOTION – La Bocca è Mobile, where the Bocca® sofa, a radical icon created by Studio65 in 1971 for Gufram, comes to life with movement. Leveraging Motion Italia’s expertise, the sofa is expected to be giving smiles and kisses. It will be presented at Palazzo Litta, in the 5VIE district. 

what: Gufram in Motion – La Bocca è mobile
when: 15 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:30
where: Palazzo Litta – Sala degli Specchi, Corso Magenta 24

google – Making Sense of Color

image courtesy of Chromasonic

Taking place at the vibrant Garage 21, the Making Sense of Color exhibition by Google aims to revolutionize our understanding of color and its profound influence on our everyday experiences. The multispace installation beckons visitors to embark on a transcendent voyage, blurring the lines between the abstract and the tangible, as it unveils the transformative potential of color within Google’s newest hardware design collection.

what: Making Sense of Color 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Garage 21, via Archimede 26

Roca – Sparking Change

Sparking Change sketch | image courtesy of Roca

Roca’s (find more here) Sparking Change installation, designed by Mario Cucinella Architects (find more here), is inspired by the opening of the world’s first electric tunnel kiln at Roca Group’s production plant in Gmunden, Austria. The installation embodies the principles of circularity and decarbonization, showcasing the positive environmental impact of this innovation that is leading to a shift in the ceramics sector. Roca’s installation will offer visitors a unique blend of physical and virtual engagement. Web augmented reality will allow visitors to immerse themselves in an interactive experience to learn more about the benefits of Roca’s new zero carbon tunnel kiln.

what: Sparking Change
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Università degli Studi di Milano Via Festa del Perdono

flos at Palazzo Visconti

For this year’s Milan Design Week, Flos (find more here) unveils new designs by Michael Anastassiades, Barber Osgerby and Formafantasma at Palazzo Visconti.

what: Flos Milan Design Week 2024
when: 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:30 and 17 April 2024, 10:00 – 16:00
where: Palazzo Visconti, Via Cino del Duca 8

Samsung – Newfound Equilibrium

image courtesy of Samsung

Samsung (find more here) presents Newfound Equilibrium, an inspiring paradigm of humans and technology encompassing a future where the synergy between these two enrich our collective experience. This exhibition spotlights the themes of ‘Essential · Innovative · Harmonious’ that reflects Samsung’s design philosophy.

what: Newfound Equilibrium
when: 16 – 18 April 2024, 10:00 ~ 19:00, 19 – 20 April 2024, 10:00 ~ 20:00 and 21 April 2024, 10:00 ~ 18:00
where: Le Cavallerizze, Via Olona, 6 bis 20123 Milano

HANNES PEER ARCHITECTURE and VAN DEN WEGHE – THE CLEARING

image by Cafeine

Belgian stone processing company Van Den Weghe (find more here) partners with Milan-based Hannes Peer Architecture (find more here) to unveil The Clearing, an installation symbolizing Heidegger’s concept of revelation and concealment through totemic travertine sculptures. This interdisciplinary collaboration merges stone mastery with cutting-edge design, transforming Peer’s studio into a space exploring tangible and intangible realities. Through spatial deconstruction inspired by Peter Eisenman’s House IV and urban travertine models, the exhibition challenges traditional perceptions of space and architectural scale, fostering a nuanced understanding of interior design and architecture’s interaction.

what: The Clearing 
when: 15 – 20 April 2024, 10:00 – 18:00
where: Hannes Peer Architecture, Via Privata Rezia 1

ikea

image courtesy of IKEA

IKEA (find more here) returns to Milan Design Week with 1st, a dynamic exhibition taking over the 1,244 sqm Padiglione Visconti venue, transforming it into an IKEA playground. Designed by architect Midori Hasuike and spatial designer Emerzon, the exhibition explores the contrasting yet similar experiences of moving out on our own for the first time. By day, visitors can explore the space, including limited-edition merchandise at the shop and newsstand areas, along with curated event magazines. At night, the space morphs into a hub for music enthusiasts, featuring genres spanning from Hip-Hop to Disco, Funk to Techno, and more. Partnering with Italian music crews like Burro Studio, Akeem, Ciao Discoteca Italiana, Threes Production, and Slipmode, IKEA shines a spotlight on artists from the vibrant local music scene.

what: 1st 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Padiglione Visconti, Via Tortona 58

TAIWAN PAVILION – WHO IS GOING TO RAISE THE QUESTIONS? THE QUESTIONS ARE DESIGNED IN TAIWAN

image courtesy of TDRI

Taiwan design (find more here) showcases at Milan Design Week 2024 by asking: who will ask the right questions in this age of complex transformations? On display at the first Taiwan Pavilion in Milan, Taiwan Design Research Institute invites fifteen Taiwan studios and brands that are confronting global issues from the point of view of local culture and reflections. Through their projects on display, they examine the role of design in contemporary society and the value of design thinking in asking questions correctly. The questions, in fact, are designed in Taiwan.

what: Who is going to raise the questions? The questions are designed in Taiwan
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Via Pietro Maroncelli 7

LABÒ PROJECT, CURATED BY THE DESIGNER BLENDER

image by Nicolò Panzeri

The second edition of the LABÒ Project (find more here), curated by Designer Blender, commences Milan Design Week in the Barona neighborhood. From April 15 to 18, 2024, the industrial spaces of the Società Prodotti Antibiotici Company (SPA) and the Rodolfo Ferrari Foundation showcase an array of international designers, artists, art galleries, and design companies. Located at the former industrial complex in Via Biella 6, the Design Blender, helmed by Elsa Lemarignier and François Leblanc di Cicilia, unveil a fresh selection of works exploring ‘le luxe de création’, materials, and their transformation through collectible and premium design pieces crafted with expert precision or advanced industrial techniques. LABÒ draws inspiration from its location’s history in medical research spanning over 70 years, positioning itself as a hub for creativity and experimentation, where design, art, and innovation intersect to yield novel and remarkable outcomes.

what: LABÒ 
when: 15, 16, 18 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00 and 17 April 2024, 10:00 – 22:00
where: Rodolfo Ferrari Foundation, Via Biella 6

VANK – is one life enough?

image courtesy of VANK

The sustainable products of VANK (find more here) will be displayed at the ‘Is One Life Enough?‘ exhibit at Lampo Milano in the Isola Design District. The exhibition explores the idea that energy is a crucial component in the creation of innovative biodesign, much like how solar energy is vital for plant growth through photosynthesis. This synergy between nature and creativity opens up new possibilities for sustainable development and creative approaches to design. Visitors to the VANK spot can expect to be captivated by trend-setting circular design concepts: VANK_PANEL, VANK_CUBE, VANK_LONG – an exciting highlight of the launch of the VANK partnership with Kvadrat.

what: Is One Life Enough? / Isola Design Festival
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Lampo Milano, Via Vatellina 5

BLOND LABORATORY

image courtesy of BLOND

London’s leading industrial design studio, BLOND (find more here), brings together seven of the world’s most exciting industrial designers to be part of ‘BLOND LABORATORY’. The Fuorisalone Milano exhibition, designed and curated by BLOND, will be held in the heart of Brera on Via Palermo this April, for the duration of Milan Design Week 2024.
A stellar roster of international designers, including Hirotaka Tako (Sony), John Tree (John Tree), Jon Marshall (Pentagram), Form Us With Love, Julie Richoz (Julie Richoz Studio), Maddalena Casadei (Maddalena Casadei Studio) and James Melia (BLOND) have been invited to contribute designs in response to its ‘BLOND artefacts’ studio initiative—which involves creating new designs in response to ‘offline’ inspiration from real-world objects that are no longer readily in production.

what: BLOND LABORATORY
when: 15 – 21 April 2024, 10.00 – 18.00 
where: Via Palermo, 11, 20121 Milano

Korea Craft & Design Foundation – Thoughts on Thickness

Goyeonsanbang, Untitled, Wood, Variable size – Jeongwoo Lee

During Milan Design Week, the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (find more here) presents Thoughts on Thickness at the Galleria Rossana Orlandi (find more here), showcasing Korean design, crafts, and art while blurring the lines between art and design. Curated by Choi Jooyeon, the exhibition is divided into three parts: In Variation in Thickness explores contemporary Korean crafts emphasizing material power and contemplative art; SOBAK captures Korean culture’s simplicity and aesthetics, particularly seen in the tea ceremony, urging viewers to reflect on nature’s essence and minimize non-essential elements; MADANG of Coexistence offers a unique gathering space in the gallery garden, resembling a traditional Korean house, fostering deeper understanding and communication. Encouraging reflection from the artists’ works to social and philosophical values, the exhibition aims to immerse spectators in Korean culture, fostering empathy and appreciation.

what: Thoughts on Thickness
when: 15 – 16, 18 – 21 April 2024, 09:30 – 20:00 and 17 April 2024, 09:30 – 17:00
where: Galleria Rossana Orlandi, Via Matteo Bandello 16

PORSCHE – THE PATTERN OF DREAMS

Imre and Marne van Opstal, Lines of Flight, The Art of Dreams, Milan, 2024, Porsche AG

Porsche (find more here) presents The Pattern of Dreams – the fifth iteration of The Art of Dreams, celebrating pattern, repetition, and rhythm across various artistic disciplines. For Salone del Mobile 2024, Posche showcases an interactive artwork by Numen/For Use, as well as choreography by Imre and Marne van Opstal. Additionally, the brand unveils a limited-edition furniture collection, Vitra for Porsche.

what: The Pattern of Dreams
when: 16 – 21 April 2024

where: Palazzo Clerici, Via Clerici 5

Nieuwe Instituut – New Store

Displays by Jeroen Wand and OS_Studio | imag by OS_Studio courtesy of Nieuwe Instituut

Imagine a shop where your role as a consumer contributes positively to the environment rather than detracts from it. This is the idea behind Rotterdam-based cultural center Nieuwe Instituut’s New Store project (find more here). First presented during Dutch Design Week 2023, the pop-up concept makes its second appearance during the Salone del Mobile, to redefine traditional notions of ‘product’ and exchange methods, featuring the work of Human Material Loop, Woo Jin Joo, Alberto Fucci of Fucci Hair, OS_Studio & Jeroen Wand, and Falsework.

what: New Store 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Stecca3, Via Gaetano de Castillia 26 

LASVIT – Re/Creation

image courtesy of LASVIT

At the 2024 edition of Milan Design Week, Lasvit (find more here) presents its Re/Creation exhibition at Palazzo Isimbardi in the Porta Venezia District. The title reflects the essence of fused glass, where letting go allows for unique shapes to form as glass relaxes and expands in custom molds. At the heart of the exhibition is the monumental installation Porta, designed by Lasvit’s artistic director Maxim Velcovsky. Crafted in Europe’s largest glass furnace, Door illustrates the brand’s ability to respond to any request in terms of size and variability, while ensuring precision and high artistic content.

what: Re/Creation 
when: 16 – 20 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00 and 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 15:00 
where: Palazzo Isimbardi, Corso Monforte 35

BiM – Bicocca incontra Milano

image courtesy of BiM – Bicocca incontra Milano

BiM – Bicocca incontra Milano (find more here), described as the workplace of the future, showcases an exhibition titled Salone Calmo. A Showcase of Campeggi Objects, an exhibition dedicated to Campeggi, an iconic Italian design brand known for the lively and whimsical features of its products, where transformable seating welcomes the public into the comfort of a slow experience, as opposed to the rush of the city. In dialogue with BiM’s spaces, a proposal curated by C41 – an independent magazine and creative production house – and SPECIFIC – a multidisciplinary design and creative production laboratory – comes to life, where Campeggi’s transformable objects engage the visitor in the comfort of a slow experience in a mix of art, photography and design.

what: Salone Calmo
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: BiM Milano, Viale dell’Innovazione 3

LEXUS – TIME

Hideki Yoshimoto/Tangent and Marjan van Aubel | image courtesy of Lexus

Lexus (find more here) returns to Milan Design Week, showcasing Time, a pair of installations inspired by the LF-ZC (Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst), a concept model exploring the potential of next-generation Lexus battery electric vehicles. The works Beyond the Horizon by Hideki Yoshimoto/Tangent, and 8 minutes 20 seconds by Marjan van Aubel, share a central theme of Time, mirroring Lexus’s strides in vehicle design and manufacturing. Embracing the challenge of constant evolution, these installations integrate human-centered technologies. Moreover, they highlight Lexus’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the value and connectivity of cars, thereby enriching individual experiences.

what: Time (Beyond the Horizon and 8 minutes 20 seconds)

when: 16 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 21:00 
where: Art Point and Art Garden, Superstudio Più, Via Tortona 27

hydro – 100R

image courtesy of Hydro

At Milan Design Week 2024, world-leading Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro (find more here) will present the ground-breaking exhibition 100R – a celebration of Hydro CIRCAL 100R, the world’s first industrial-scale aluminium product made entirely of post-consumer scrap. Hydro put Norwegian designer Lars Beller Fjetland in charge of art direction, concept development and strategy for the 100R exhibition. He enlisted designers Inga Sempé, Max Lamb, Andreas Engesvik, Shane Schneck, Rachel Griffin, John Tree and Philippe Malouin, to create design objects made entirely from Hydro’s new recycled aluminium product.

what: 100R
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Spazio Maiocchi, Via Achille Maiocchi 7

pet therapy love boat by Atelier Biagetti + Altea 

image courtesy of Atelier Biaggetti

The Love Boat, Atelier Biagetti’s (find more here) latest aquatic Pet Therapy installation, docks at the Naviglio canal in Milan. The exhibit features expansive, cat-inspired sculptures that double as lamps and seats, nestled under the shade of palm trees adorned with coconut lights. ‘Our Giants Cats are Back!’ announces ten-year-old designer Altea Biagetti, the visionary behind this project dedicated to those cherished childhood companions and lifelong friends – our pets! At the Love Boat, visitors can discover the new collection of giant cat sculptures, including the debut of a plush variant and the small Birba series, a cat-lamp made with marble powder embracing a glass sphere. Exclusive to Milano Design Week, attendees can personalize and purchase their own cat sculpture, complete with hand-painted eyes, ensuring each piece is a unique and cherished possession. 

what: Pet Therapy Love Boat by Atelier Biaggetti + Altea
when: 13 – 21 April 2024
where: Navigli / Ripa di Porta Ticinese 61

Nicola Trussardi Foundation presents ITALIA 70 – I NUOVI MOSTRI

image courtesy of Nicola Trussardi Foundation

During Milan Design Week, the Nicola Trussardi Foundation (find more here) presents ITALIA 70 – I NUOVI MOSTRI, curated by Massimiliano Gioni. In 2004, the Foundation’s Life is Beautiful project spread across the streets of Milan—from the city center to the suburbs. Thousands of posters created by sixteen young Italian artists depicted an anthology of visions of Italy and its multifaceted identity and irreverently took over public spaces. Twenty years after this early venture into bringing contemporary art to unexpected places around the city, Fondazione Nicola Trussardi is returning to that same format. The latest iteration involves seventy artists working in Italy, including established as well as up-and-coming artists, in a public art project that continues to expand the Fondazione Nicola Trussardi’s mobile museum, which, for the past two decades, has been turning the city of Milan into a boundless stage for contemporary art. The seventy artists have each been invited by the Foundation to create a new work or choose a particular image of theirs to be multiplied on hundreds of posters. The public poster campaign will take over the streets and squares and involve both locals and visitors in a treasure hunt of sorts from one end of the city to the other—drawing a new map of Milan from the Monumental Cemetery and old city center to CityLife and Porta Romana.

what: ITALIA 70 – I NUOVI MOSTRI
when: from 8 April 2024

Design Space AlUla

Design Space AlUla x Madrasat Addeera Editions

Design Space AlUla (find more here) debuts at Milan Design Week, showcasing collaborations between Saudi and international designers including Zahrah Alghamdi, Leen Ajlan, Cristian Mohaded, Hall Haus, Leo Orta and many others. Design Space AlUla commissioned CLOUD/Studio Sabine Marcelis to design the show that highlights the theme Materia Natura, celebrating AlUla’s natural history and cultural heritage.

what: Design Space AlUla
when:15 April from 2 p.m to 8 p.m / 16 – 21 April from 10 a.m to 8 p.m
where: Mediateca Santa Teresa, via della Moscova 28

SECOND LIFE: 10 ALBERI PER 10 TOTEM D’AUTORE

Second Life 10 alberti per 10 totem d autore Elena Salmistraro Il pesce mutante

On Monday, April 15th, the Second Life: 10 alberi per 10 totem d’autore (10 trees for 10 designer totems) exhibition debuts in Piazza San Fedele. Born in response to the devastating storm that struck the city on July 25th, 2023, toppling over 5,000 trees, this project curated by designer Nicoletta Gatti aims to explore the contemporary theme of the relationship between individuals, cities, and nature. The exhibition breathes new life into Milan’s historical memory through the creative vision of ten designers handpicked by the curator: Alessandra Baldereschi, Elena Salmistraro, Federico Peri, Francesco Meda, Giulio Iacchetti, Marco Piva, Mario Trimarchi, Nicoletta Gatti, StudioPepe, and Zanellato/Bortotto.

what: SECOND LIFE: 10 ALBERI PER 10 TOTEM D’AUTORE
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Piazza San Fedele

DesignSingapore Council – Future Impact 2

interior of La Rotonda del Pellegrini | image courtesy of DesignSingapore Council

DesignSingapore Council (find more here) returns to Milan Design Week 2024 with Future Impact 2 at La Rotonda del Pellegrini. Curated by Tony Chambers and Maria Cristina Didero, the exhibition features newly commissioned works by Singapore’s most innovative designers, demonstrating how design can evolve to create a sustainable future. From reimagining sustainable design practices to addressing global challenges, participating designers push the boundaries of their creative practices to minimize environmental impact and reimagine production methods.

what: Future Impact 2
when: 16 – 21 April 2024
where: La Rotonda del Pellegrini, Via delle Ore 3

ECAL x FREITAG – ACCESS OVER OWNERSHIP

image courtesy of ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne

For this year’s Milan Design Week, ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne (find more here) comes together with FREITAG (find more here) to showcase a series of upcycled, practical, and enjoyable objects to borrow. Led by one of the guiding principles Access over Ownership of the FREITAG manifesto, the exhibition at House of Switzerland reflects on having access to goods versus owning and maintaining them. Under the direction of designer Christophe Guberan, ECAL Bachelor students in Industrial Design have explored various options for borrowable items. Particularly relevant for temporary-use clothing, accessories, and furniture, this approach enabled the young designers to benefit from FREITAG’s expertise in circular economy, material upcycling, services, product development and disruptive innovation.

what: Access over Ownership
when: 15 – 21 April, 10:00 – 18:00
where: House of Switzerland, Casa degli Artisti – Corso Garibaldi 89/A

CRYSTAL BEAT 2 – PRECIOSA LIGHTING

Crystal Beat 2 by Preciosa Lighting | image courtesy of Preciosa Lighting

Preciosa Lighting unveils an immersive experience of its new Signature Design, Crystal Pixels, at Zona
Tortona during Milan Design Week 2024. The dazzling display of light and music us inspired by retro gaming and early digital aesthetics. Titled Crystal Beat 2, the dramatic dynamic installation invites visitors to embrace the present moment while diving into the past. . It presents a moment of escapism and nostalgia amongst the bustle of the design week.

what: Crystal Beat 2
when: 16 – 21 April 2024
where: Tortona Quattrocento in Opificio Via Tortona 31

NOT COMPROMISED

Elephant Museum by Boonserm Premthada | image © Spaceshift Studio

Birgit Lohmann and Massimo Mini, founders and former directors of designboom, introduce NOT COMPROMISED, an exhibition that ventures into new societal paradigms through art, architecture, and design. Under the direction of Pietro Mini, the show unfolds at Liceo Classico Parini in Milan, inviting the public to explore unconventional perspectives on sustainability, including an outdoor furniture collection made from elephant dung by Boonserm Premthada. The exhibition emphasizes the coexistence of flora and fauna in a non-anthropocentric manner, advocating for a world where human presence preserves rather than harms.

In its inaugural edition, NOT COMPROMISED (find more here) spotlights Three Stories of Social Awareness from Thailand. This segment features the acclaimed Boonserm Premthada of Bangkok Project Studio (find more here), alongside the esteemed contributions of Apiradee Kasemsook, Principal of Silpakorn University in Bangkok (find more here), and Chat Chuenrudeemol of CHAT Architects (find more here). 

what: NOT COMPROMISED 
when: 15 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 21:00 
where: Liceo Classico Parini, Via San Marco 2/3 

Azimut – Mooring by the Moon by Michele de Lucchi + ADML

At Milan Design Week 2024, Azimut (find more here) presents Mooring by the Moon, an immersive installation created by Michele de Lucchi + ADML (find more here). Installed at Bagni Misteriosi, the work draws inspiration from Azimut’s Seadeck, to offer an intimate experience of connection with the sea. The Azimut Seadeck 6,  with its interiors designed by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez will also be on display at Milan’s enchanting Bagni Misteriosi.

what: Mooring by the Moon
when: 15 – 21 April 2024
where: Bagni Misteriosi, Via Carlo Botta 18

Technogym – Design to Move

Wellness company Technogym (find more here) presents the Design to Move exhibition to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Technogym, showcasing 40 unique Technogym Benches created by 40 world famous artists and designers.

what: Design to Move
where: Technogym Miano, Via Durini 1

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Fornasetti – Harlequin’s Servant

image by Simone Corti

Fornasetti (find more here) extends its Harlequin’s Servant exhibition hosted in the foyer of the historic cinema Cineteca Arlecchino Milano until 6 May 2024. The show, composed of drawings and creations from Fornasetti’s historical archive, pays homage to Harlequin, the protagonist of the original works from the 1940s created by Piero Fornasetti for the foyer of the newly restored cinema. During the Milan Design Week 2024, the renowned brand also presents Ceci n’est pas une salle à manger, a new collection of furniture and accessories. 

what: Fornasetti: Harlequin’s Servant
when: 27 October 2023 – 6 May 2024
where: Cineteca Milano Arlecchino, Via S. Pietro all’Orto, 9

Osservatorio Fondazione Prada – Miranda July: New Society

image courtesy of Fondzione Prada

From March 7 to October 14, 2024, Osservatorio Fondzione Prada (find more here) presents the first solo museum exhibition dedicated to the American film director, screenwriter, actress and author Miranda July. Curated by Mia Locks, the exhibition titled Miranda July: New Society, spans three decades of her work from the early 1990s to the present. The exhibition features early short films, performances, and multimedia installations, including the debut of F.A.M.I.L.Y (Falling Apart Meanwhile I Love You), a multi-channel video installation created by July in collaboration with seven strangers via Instagram. The exhibition uses F.A.M.I.L.Y as a focal point to explore related ideas in her earlier performative and collaborative works. 

what: Miranda July: New Society
when: 7 March – 14 October 2024
where: Osservatorio Fondzione Prada, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Fondazione Prada – Pino Pascali

Pino Pascali with Bachi da setola, 1968”Photo Andrea Taverna | image courtesy Fabio Sargentini – Archivio L’Attico

Fondazione Prada (find more here) presents an expansive retrospective celebrating the legacy of Italian artist Pino Pascali, running from March 28 to September 23, 2024. Curated by Mark Godfrey, the exhibition delves into Pascali’s innovative contributions to sculpture, which have left a lasting impact on multiple generations of artists and critics over the past fifty years. The show is organized into four sections, each offering a distinct perspective on the artist’s oeuvre, and spans across three buildings of the Milan venue: the Podium, the Nord, and the Sud galleries. Conceived by 2×4, the set design showcases forty-nine works by Pascali sourced from esteemed Italian and international museums as well as notable private collections. Additionally, the exhibition features nine artworks by prominent post-war artists, alongside selected photographs and a video depicting Pascali alongside his creations.

what: Pino Pascali 
when: 28 March – 23 September 2024
where: Fondazione Prada, Largo Isarco 2

Maniera Gallery x Junya Ishigami

MANIERA Gallery (find more here) presents a new furniture series by Junya Ishigami (find more here). The pieces will first be presented at Alcova during Salone del Mobile in Milan from 15 to 21 April, after which they will be on display at the gallery from 25 April onwards. Ishigami’s designs, whether in architecture or furniture, exude an air of elegance and simplicity. Yet, beneath this apparent minimalism lies a complexity that underscores the meticulous efforts of the design team. Preferring lightness over mass and fragility over gravity, Ishigami’s creations defy conventional notions. This ethos is evident in the new furniture series for MANIERA, comprising dining chairs, rocking chairs, a low Zaisu chair, an atelier table, a dining table, a glass table, two partitions, and seven lamps. Crafted from materials such as stainless steel, leather, rattan, glass, and wood, each piece embodies Ishigami’s distinctive aesthetic vision.​

when: 15 – 21 Apil 2024
where: Villa Bagatti-Valsecchi, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 48, Varedo

Io sono un drago – The true story of Alessandro Mendini

image courtesy of Triennale di Milano

The dual homage dedicated to Alessandro Mendini by Triennale Milano (find more here) and Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain (find more here) is set to debut: this takes the form of the retrospective Io sono un drago. La vera storia di Alessandro Mendini staged in collaboration with Elisa and Fulvia Mendini – Archivio Alessandro Mendini, and curated by Fulvio Irace with exhibition design by Pierre Charpin. Additionally, visitors to Salone will have the opportunity to explore Cuore – Research, Study, and Archives Centre, a novel space dedicated to research, memory, and innovation

when: 14 April – 13 October 2024
where: Triennale di Milano, Viale Emilio Alemagna 6

Philippe starck – what?

Philippe Starck, sketch for the installation What? at Triennale Milano, 2024 | photo in the sketch by occhiomagico © Philippe Starck

To honor Alessandro Mendini, Philippe Starck (find more here) unveils What? an immersive installation designed to offer a glimpse into the creative mind of the Italian designer and architect. Set at the Triennale di Milano (find more here). 

‘Alessandro was distinguished by his strange physique, like a synthetic gnome or a puppet created by artificial intelligence. Before being a human being, he was an idea, a sensation, an osmotic vibration that I wanted to recapture through the installation, conceived as an immersive experience in Alessandro Mendini’s brain. A sensory, impressionistic, immaterial journey into the creator’s subconscious,’ shares Starck. ‘His voice from beyond the grave and his metallic laughter, mixed, distorted and superimposed, transport the visitor into elsewheres beyond gravity. His creativity and his gaze, both hypnotic and abnormal, are revealed through subliminal, diffuse, projected images. A sensorial and sentimental plunge into the extraordinary universe of bizarreness, creative fantasy, and wit; Alessandro Mendini is here.’

what: What? 
where: Triennale di Milano, Viale Emilio Alemagna 6

DESIGN WALK IN BUDAPEST at Triennale Milano

image courtesy of HFDA / Kata Balogh

Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (find more here) presents the Design Walk in Budapest exhibition, curated by Rossana Orlandi and on show at Triennale Milano(find more here). The exhibition celebrates the creative ambience of Budapest, capital city of Hungary cradled by the Danube as a nexus of cultural fusion, showcasing its architectural and design heritage through a contemporary lens. It emphasizes the city’s unique ability to preserve its multifaceted historical traditions while embracing modernity.

what: Design Walk in Budapest
when: 15 – 21 April 2021, 11:00 – 21:00
where: Triennale di Milano, Viale Emilio Alemagna 6

Pirelli HangarBicocca – nari ward

image courtesy of Pirelli HangarBicocca

From March 28 to July 28, 2024, Pirelli HangarBicocca (find more here) presents a retrospective of New York-based artist Nari Ward, known for his installations that blend familiar materials to evoke socio-historical themes, exploring memory, transformation, identity, race, social justice, and consumer culture. Titled Ground Break, the exhibition showcases Ward’s exploration of performativity and collaborative projects, featuring over thirty years of practice, including early seminal works and new productions. It highlights Ward’s time-based media works, such as video, sound, performative sculptures, and installations, along with large-scale installations originally created for Ralph Lemon’s choreography Geography Trilogy. The exhibition incorporates live collaborative actions throughout, reflecting the theme of performativity. Additionally, a monographic volume will accompany the exhibition, exploring Ward’s recent studies on aspects of performativity, sound, and time-based practices.

what: NARI WARD – Ground Break

when: 29 March – 28 July 2024
where: Pirelli HangarBicocca,  Via Chiese 2

Pirelli HangarBicocca – Chiara Camoni

From February 15 to July 21, 2024, Pirelli HangarBicocca (find more here) showcases an exhibition titled Call and Gather: Sisters, Moths, and Flame Twisters. Lioness Bones, Snakes, and Stones. featuring the works of Chiara Camoni, a prominent Italian artist known for her diverse practice encompassing drawing, vegetable prints, video, and sculpture, with a special emphasis on ceramics. Camoni’s art often incorporates organic materials and domestic objects, reflecting a connection to nature and ancestral rituals. Her works explore the intersection of craftsmanship and spirituality, often involving collaborative processes with friends and family or workshops and seminars. This exhibition presents Camoni’s largest collection of works to date, alongside new productions, creating an architectural space inspired by Italian gardens and ancient amphitheaters, fostering a sense of collective memory.

what: Call and Gather: Sisters, Moths, and Flame Twisters. Lioness Bones, Snakes, and Stones
when: February 15 – July 21 2024
where: Pirelli HangarBicocca,  Via Chiese 2

Lehmann Maupin pop-up space

ALEX PRAGER, California, Too, 2024. archival pigment print, 48 x 48 inches (print) courtesy Alex Prager Studio and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Seoul, and London

Lehmann Maupin’s seasonal space in Milan opens on April 12, marking the gallery’s first physical location in Italy. The space features a group exhibition of new and recent works by Hernan Bas, Mandy El-Sayegh, Todd Gray, Alex Prager, and Nari Ward. Led by gallery partner Jessica Kreps, the Milan pop-up is housed at Circolo, a non-profit organization spearheaded by Nicole Saikalis Bay. Also, in the new pop-up space, Lehmann Maupin (find more here) celebrates its artists’ activity across Italy, including: Nari Ward’s retrospective exhibition at Pirelli HangarBicocca, Milan; and Kim Yun Shin’s participation in Foreigners Everywhere, the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia curated by Adriano Pedrosa.

what: Lehmann Maupin Milan
when: April 12 – June 21, 2024
where: Circolo, 48 Via della Spiga

nilufar gallery

image courtesy of Nilufar Gallery

Nilufar Gallery (find more here) presents the Time Traveler exhibition, weaving together the works of contemporary talents and timeless pieces from design legends of the past.

In the Viale Lancetti venue contemporary artists with new solo shows include Andrés Reisinger (find more here) and Analogia Project (find more here) and focus on works by Allegra Hicks (find more here), Lucia Massari (find more here), Objects of Common Interest (find more here) and Ranieri.

Meanwhile in the historic location of Via Spiga are showcased new solo shows for Maarten de Ceulaer (find more here), Draga & Aurel (find more here). Moreover, new pieces by Christian Pellizzari (find more here), Lola Montes are exhibited in conversation with American Vintage pieces from the Sixties.

what: Time Traveler
when: 15 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00
where: Nilufar Depot, Viale Lancetti 34 and Nilufar Gallery, Via Della Spiga 32

ANDRÉS REISINGER AT NILUFAR GALLERY

Digital artist and designer Andrés Reisinger (find more here) stages the experiential exhibition 12 Chairs for Meditation, occupying the atrium of Nilufar’s Viale Lancetti venue. Reisinger crafts a theatrical narrative encouraging visitors to partake in introspective meditation. Curated by the artist and Nina Yashar, the exhibition unveils a new collection of chairs and a striking site-specific mosaic accompanied by a bespoke musical piece composed by Reisinger himself. 

what: 12 Chairs for Meditation
when: 15 – 21 April 2024, 10:00 – 19:00 
where: Nilufar Depot, Viale Lancetti 34

ADI Design Museum – ORIGIN of SIMPLICITY: 20 Visions of Japanese Design

Origami Shikki, Atsushi Morita, 2022 | image courtesy of ADI Design Museum

ADI Design Museum (find more here) introduces a new perspective to Japanese design, titled ORIGIN of SIMPLICITY: 20 Visions of Japanese Design. This exhibition explores the concept of simplicity in Japanese design, rooted in philosophical traditions such as Zen Buddhism and Shinto animist thought. Curated by Rossella Menegazzo and designed by Kenya Hara, the show presents over 150 works by renowned Japanese designers, showcasing the evolution of Japanese design from the 1960s to the present. Through carefully curated exhibits, visitors are guided through an immersive experience that highlights the essence of simplicity in Japanese culture.

what: ORIGIN of SIMPLICITY: 20 Visions of Japanese Design
when: 23 March – 9 June 2024
where: ADI Design Museum, Piazza Compasso d’Oro 1