sabine marcelis transforms milan's rinascente with plexiglass, resin and plant installations

on the occasion of milan design week, sabine marcelis has decked the rinascente department store with a series of plexiglass and cast resin pieces intermingled with many kinds of plants and trees. part of the store’s the green life, an event focused on design and its relation to nature, sustainability, and all things green, the installation takes over the windows, inside, and outside areas of the flagship store in piazza duomo.

all images courtesy of rinascente unless stated otherwise

giving a green interpretation of the design week, the rinascente and sabine marcelis have created a boulevard of 16 huge century-old olive trees in the outside area between the store and the duomo. complete with a series of marcelis’ seats in various shades of orange, the boulevard becomes a place for people to enjoy a peaceful moment of relaxation amidst the busy square.

additionally, the dutch designer has created the plant ballet, a series of eight moving sculptures for the store windows facing the square, which exist in perfect harmony with the boulevard. colorful disks of plexiglass twist and float around the many kinds of plants and trees, overlapping to contribute to a constant changing and alternating of colors. as a result, a dance is created where color and nature take the lead. meanwhile, the other floors feature two in-store installations, one in the design supermarket and one on the fourth floor, and green spaces designed by the very best italian nurseries, with plants that can be admired and purchased.

image © designboom

image © designboom

image © designboom

sabine marcelis with the designboom pin

project info:

name: the green life

designer: sabine marcelis

location: rinascente, piazza del duomo, 20121 milano, italy

duration:  5 to 22 april (the boulevard), 5 to 15 april (the plant ballet)

the boulevard sponsored by: the municipality of milan