At the Piccolo in Milan, the most eagerly awaited previews for the next edition of the Salone del Mobile scheduled from 16 to 21 April were unveiled.
The new edition of the Salone del Mobile in Milan, scheduled this year from 16 to 21 April at the Fiera Milano, is characterised by a series of keywords that outline its profile. Concepts such as ecosystem, cooperation and project are the central themes, guiding a necessary evolution for an event that represents the global showcase of an industry intrinsically linked to innovation: that of design.
Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano / photo: Andrea Mariani
However, this is not just an evolution, but a process that also embraces cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and neuroscience. The Salone del Mobile not only adapts to the change, but also takes the lead, anticipating the needs of the sector and responding with innovative solutions and state-of-the-art technologies. A design will that is also reflected in the new claim of the event; “Where Design Evolves”.
ph. @Guido Stazzoni
“Capturing new trends, the evolution of an entire sector by involving and listening to communities near and far, identifying new approaches, methodologies and technologies, experimenting, in an expression to stand on the frontier: this is still the ambition of the Salone del Mobile today,” said Maria Porro, President of the Salone del Mobile.Milano.
The main events and novelties of the Salone del Mobile 2024
The Milanese Kermesse that will attract over 1,900 exhibitors, including 600 young talents under 35 and the participation of 22 design schools, is preparing to create a unique experience. And it will do so through its various events, such as the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Salone Internazionale del Complemento d’Arredo, Workplace3.0, S.Project, EuroCucina with FTK, Salone Internazionale del Bagno and SaloneSatellite.
courtesy Salone del Mobile Milano @Delfino Sisto Legnani
The fair will transform the exhibition spaces with new layouts and aesthetic paths. It will offer lectures, round tables, workshops and training sessions, welcoming international guests and young aspiring designers. Immersive and interactive installations, artistic performances, a bookshop, a circular arena and a new design library will make the experience immersive and memorable, offering visitors the opportunity for an exciting and personal exploration.
The main events of the Kermesse:
- Salone del Mobile
- Eurocucina
- Salone Internazionale del Bagno
- 3 Large Installations
- Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
- SaloneSatellite
EuroCucina and Salone Internazionale del Bagno: the new routes
Eurocucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition make their debut with a new layout curated by Lombardini22, the Italian leader in architecture and engineering. The Salone’s inclusive approach and Lombardini22’s holistic project involved professionals specialised in design, neuroscience and universal design to improve the pavilion layouts.
@Lombardini22
The biennials have been redesigned to optimise space and time, simplifying the visit and ensuring visibility for exhibitors. The new layout, inspired by an urban ring shape, minimises intersections and offers smoother navigation. With wide, narrow aisles, similar to city centres, the experience becomes engaging and efficient, allowing visitors to focus on essential information and improving orientation and recall in the kitchen and bathroom pavilions.
Interiors by David Lynch. A Thinking Room: the famous filmmaker’s domestic and soulful visions
The new edition brings an exciting collaboration between Salone del Mobile.Milano and David Lynch, the director of the unconscious, to explore the connection between interiors and the human interior. The installation, guided by Lynch’s unique vision, offers a sensory and narrative experience that enhances design as a reflection of our interiority.
ph. @Dean Hurley
Its ‘rooms’ are imagined as symbolic doors to be passed through in order to immerse oneself in the Manifestation. They are places that stimulate wonder and convey emotions through the language of film and theatre, celebrating space as a place for inner reflection.
Six food magazines celebrate food at EuroCucina
EuroCucina will be at the centre of an immersive, welcoming and fluid experience, where six authoritative food magazines, together with performers, artists, designers and chefs from all over the world, will present an innovative perspective on the present and future of natural ingredients. ‘All You Have Ever Wanted to Know About Food Design in Six Performances’ is the title that unites these initiatives.
Between presentations, reflections, performances and tastings, a new awareness of our understanding of food will be defined in the halls of EuroCucina/FTK, Technology For the Kitchen. Magazines from different countries will offer a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities in the food industry, involving artists, designers and chefs to stimulate debate and innovation in the world of culinary design.
“Under the Surface”, a reflection on water resources in bathroom furniture
“Under the Surface” is the second installation created by Accurat, Design Group Italia and Emiliano Ponzi for the Salone Internazionale del Bagno, which explores water-related ethics, sustainability and technology. The installation, a submerged island, invites visitors to reflect on the importance of responsible water management in bathroom design.
ph. @Salotto NY
Using light reflections and dynamic data visualisation, ‘Under the Surface’ shows global water consumption and technological advances in the industry, educating visitors on the environmental impact of their daily actions. The aim is to promote greater awareness and more sustainable use of water, encouraging the bathroom furniture supply chain to drive change towards more environmentally friendly practices.
An arena for conversations on future issues
The programme “Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives”, curated by Annalisa Rosso, presents a series of talks and panel discussions with prominent personalities such as Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré, who are contributing to building a more conscious future through virtuous practices. The “Drafting Futures” Arena, designed by Formafantasma, offers a welcoming space for discussions, with reclaimed seating and a carpet printed with abstract designs reminiscent of doodles made on the telephone.
courtesy Formafantasma
The panel discussions address crucial topics for contemporary design and architecture, such as artificial intelligence, naval design in collaboration with the Genoa International Boat Show and innovations in the hospitality sector. In addition, the Salone del Mobile Library, also designed by Formafantasma, is inaugurated to collect books recommended by the speakers of future editions, promoting positive actions and perspectives.
SaloneSatellite celebrates 25 years
The SaloneSatellite, which has been uniting talents, cultures and projects since 1998, celebrates its 25th anniversary. With around 600 participants from 37 countries and 22 international design schools and universities from 13 countries, this year’s edition is particularly significant.
Photo credits: Ludovica Mangini / Andrea-Mariani
New participants, such as Prince Sultan University from Saudi Arabia and Belgrade Business and Arts Academy of Applied Studies from Serbia, enrich the diversity of the exhibition. In addition, the collaboration between Cometa in Como and the French CMQs promises exciting new projects. To celebrate this milestone, an exhibition at the Triennale Milano will trace the history and success of this long adventure in the world of design.
