This year’s Salone del Mobile is almost here! We’ve already taken a sneak peek at some of the design products catching our eye before we get there, but now is your chance to get excited about the diverse and inspiring installations and event spaces that define the Salone too.
We’ll be bringing you lots of coverage both during and after the event, which runs during mid-April. (Here, by the way, are some complementary guides from some of trusted industry partners at Living Edge and Space Furniture.)
So, now we share seven standout – and very different – events or installations to keep your eye on ahead of Salone!
Triennale Milano
Cuore is the latest addition to Trienniale Milano. A centre dedicated to research, study and archives, Cuore marks the revival of the Triennale Research Center which was initially established in 1935 and operational until 1990. The aim is to illuminate the heritage of Triennale by delving into its extensive archival materials and collections, serving as a platform for promotion and dissemination, showcasing collections and archives from both public and private institutions throughout the year. AR.CH.IT Luca Cipelletti developed the concept, and the architectural and exhibition design of the space.
Stefano Boeri, President of Triennale Milano, comments: “We felt the need to create a venue where the extraordinary research, study and in-depth work that underpins Triennale’s cultural proposal, and brings the institution’s heritage to life, is visible and accessible to all. Cuore is a place open to everyone, where it is possible to consult materials from our archives, but also to do research and develop ideas for the future thanks to the Triennale Research Center, which is being reborn right here.”
Paola Lenti
Anna Lenti was recently in Australia and we heard from her all about the company’s exciting plans for a permanent presence in Milan. Paola Lenti Milano, the company’s first fully owned flagship store, is taking shape on a 4000-square-metre area in the Maciachini neighborhood. This expansive complex, with an industrial heritage, has been transformed into a bioecological estate. The venue features integrated areas serving various functions: showroom, lounge, offices, gardens, greenhouses and a Gallery — an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary arts in all their forms.
Greenery is absolutely central to the design, with Paola Lenti partnering with Pnat (Project Nature), a multidisciplinary design studio made up of architects, botanists and researchers. The aim is to create an integrated environment in which nature and built forms seamlessly merge. Oltre lo sguardo (‘Beyond the Gaze’) is the theme for Paola Lenti at Milan 2024, while a solo exhibition by Japanese studio Nendo will also feature.
SOLIDIFIED
SOLIDIFIED is a curated exhibition by established designers with a strong focus on material. New pieces by Rick Tegelaar, Jesse Visser, Umut Yamac and Form Editions will all be on show, but our focus here is on on Amsterdam-based artistic practice, Rive Roshan, made up of Ruben de la Rive Box (Netherlands) and Golnar Roshan (Australia).
Rive Roshan will present ‘Illuminated Transitions’, a choreography of light and colour in collaboration with Lumus Instruments. The installation features reflective, sculptural art objects in combination with transitioning lights that play with reflection and influence the perception of the space.
LAUFEN
Colour Archeology is a project by ROBERTO SIRONI, presented at the LAUFEN space Milano. It shares the culmination of a multidisciplinary research undertaken by Sironi on behalf of LAUFEN, and conveyed with the imaginative vision of Studio Lys and Beda Achermann.
Sironi delves into the realm of ancient ceramics with meticulous fervor, exploring eight civilisations in a time span from around 3000 B.C. to 1500 A.D. Drawing from over 10,000 artefacts – from Egypt and Mesopotamia to the Chinese and Roman Empires – Sironi meticulously categorises these treasures into vivid colour clusters reflective of their cultural heritage.
Unform Studio
Two new explorations of material and form are set to be on show with Unform Studio – Pop-Up Collection and Spherae Collection at SaloneSatellite at Salone del Mobile. These collections continue the Pennsylvania-based studio’s interest in the play between radical form and ergonomic comfort, and marks their entry into upholstered furniture. Always interested in pursuing new material explorations, Unform’s lead designer Ryan Twardzik investigates novel visual and tactile methods and both collections are centered on the idea of inviting use and interaction with the ability to be adjusted, changed and manipulated by users.
The Pop-Up Collection explores combining marshmallow-like comfort into an expandable metal frame system, while Spherae takes the idea of remixing – in use, form and interaction – classical furniture materials including wood, brass and upholstery.
Karimoku
Karimoku Furniture will exhibit its four brands – Karimoku Case, Karimoku New Standard, MAS and SEYUN – in four different exhibition halls during Milan Design Week 2024. Each venue is located within walking distance of each other in different venues in the Tortona district in the heart of Milan, providing a space where visitors can experience the world view of each brand.
The SEYUN exhibition includes the ongoing collaboration between ZAHA HADID DESIGN and Karimoku, unveiling new pieces including a family of chairs, armchairs, bar stools, tables and trays. Additionally, Rho Fiera, the main venue, will host a significant exhibition highlighting Karimoku Case, a brand specialising in furniture designed for architectural use.
V-ZUG x Habitus
Finally, it would of course be remiss of us not to mention our very own event on the ground at Milan 2024. We’re teaming up with V-ZUG to put on an exclusive panel discussion with guests including Charlotte Wilson (SJB), Andrea Lucena-Orr (Dulux) and Jo Lawless (lawless&meyerson).
Exploring the theme of technology in design, it’s also a great opportunity to mingle and network among colleagues and friends – often many from the Australian design community. The event takes place at 10am on Thursday 18th April at Sala Lettura Pinacoteca di Brera.
Salone del Mobile
salonemilano.it