
BEST OF MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2016
Words by Costas Voyatzis
Location
Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy
Location
Milan Design Week is quite unlike any other. It’s a week when excitement, anticipation and inspiration reign supreme. Where everyone has a place to go and where anyone is welcome. The 55th edition of Salone del Mobile lived up to and exceeded everything we were expecting, proving once again that great design is at home in Italy. The unique energy pulsing through the metropolis’ cobblestone and paved streets was palpable to thousands of visitors and locals alike who enthusiastically took in all of the events, installations and venues. As if we were all given the proverbial “keys” to the city, we spent the week uncovering Milan’s many hidden nooks and wandering freely through the open doorways of the grand stone palazzos - ordinarily refuges for only a few - that played host to breathtaking exhibitions that were intended to inspire and enthuse.
And inspired we certainly were. From the Fiera’s organized assembly to 5 Vie’s medieval pathways, the artistic enclave of Brera to the gallery-like warehouses of Ventura Lambrate and every zone in between, each destination spoke its own unique dialect of the same language - incredible design.


The 10 by Yatzer pop up shop at Spazio Pontaccio. Luminous Table by Tokujin Yoshioka for Glas Italia. Materials Wallpaper in black marble by Piet Hein Eek for NLXL. Halo Oval pendant light fixture by Paul Loebach for Roll & Hill. Styling by Costas Voyatzis, photo by Fabrizio Annibali.

Lumières out of the box installation view at the Fine Arts Academy of Brera featuring Le Roi Soleil spherical chandelier and New Antique side table by Marcel Wanders for Baccarat.
We got lost in the optical illusion installation created by Ferruccio Laviani for Foscarini lamps; were enchanted by Dimore Studio’s dark and broody apartment gallery; and impressed by the scale of Michael Anastassiades’ Double Dream of Spring lighting installation for Herman Miller. Our imaginations were further stretched with the No Sex project curated by Maria Cristina Didero for Atelier Biagetti and awed by Nike’s The Nature of Motion: Endless Explorations of Movement installation. Martino Gamper’s incredible collection of drums which used Nike laces to secure Nike Flyknit textiles over laminated plywood forms wowed us especially.
Meanwhile, we found the 50 Manga-inspired chair installation that Nendo created for the New York gallery, Friedman Benda, to be utterly amazing and our visit to the Shit Museum very pleasantly surprising; we actually stood in amazement at the Storica Societa di Incoraggiamento Arti & Mestiari, examining the branded products created out of Merdacotta – make sure you look that one up!
On the other side of the spectrum stood Baccarat’s glamorous, Lumiers out Of the Box, installation at the Fine Arts Academy in Brera which took our breath away - especially Marcel Wanders’ Le Roi Soleil spherical chandelier which had us daydreaming of prismatic rainbows - as did Moooi’s latest impressive collection in the Malmaison carpet series by Maison Christian Lacroix.

Lumières out of the box installation view at the Fine Arts Academy of Brera featuring Medicis XXL by Hans Van Bentem, an authentic masterpiece made of 13.000 octagons, translating the original marble Medicis vase of the classical period and its crystal version made by Baccarat in 1909.

Marcel Wanders transformed Baccarat’s iconic Zénith chandelier by redesigning the contours and softening the angles. The result is Le Roi Soleil spherical chandelier. Moreover he turned upside down and crowned with a white marble top the New Antique vase he designed in 2014, transforming it into a the New Antique side table.

Lucid Lights by David Derksen Design.

WILD MINIMALISM by Rooms. A collection of 7 individual handcrafted sculpture pieces: Stone drawer console, round staircase table, 2 modular coffee tables, 2 lovers armchairs and a Taurus chair.

WILD MINIMALISM furniture collection by Rooms.

FIRENZE carpet collection by Sebastiano Tosi + Lapo Ciatti for Opinion Ciatti. Inspired by the architecture of Florence (Medici Chapels, the Church of San Lorenzo and the courtyard of the Bargello Palace).

Gran Turismo Marble Lamp dedicated to the Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Gran Turismo by Davide G Aquini.

MACHINE collection by Seletti for DIESEL living. Inspired from the global imagery of mechanics, and consists of plates and bowls, cutlery, containers, glasses and mugs.

UNIT kitchen by Cinzia Cumini and Vicente Garcia, aka Garcìa Cumini for CESAR.

UNIT kitchen by Cinzia Cumini and Vicente Garcia, aka Garcìa Cumini for CESAR.

Gimme Shelter seating system covered with the new Natural Orgy tapestry by Moroso for Diesel living.
This in fact leads us to making mention of the pastel toned colour way which kept appearing all about town: all the way from HAY’s multicoloured presentation inside La Pelota - which inspired thoughts of 1950’s-era candy shops - to Patricia Urquiola’s console and mirror from the SHIMMER series she created for Glas Italia. Unsurprisingly, Patricia was a very busy designer this season - to prove our point we must note the incredible CREDENZA collection that she collaborated on with Federico Pepe on for Spazio Pontaccio which was inspired by the stained glass windows of holy sites.
Marble seemed to be another trend at this Salone, especially black Marquina marble which appeared in everything from Apparatus Studio’s Portal marble dining table, to the small, Niobe side tables designed by Federica Capitani for Zanotta, not to mention the Mr. Marble jar which was designed by Lorenza Bozzoli exclusively for the 10 by Yatzer collection.
This brings us to the last, but certainly not least, highlight that we’d like to mention: the 10 by Yatzer collection which we had the honour of debuting at Spazio Pontaccio in order to mark Yatzer’s 10 year anniversary and which features the limited edition creations of 10 incredible designers.
2016 has certainly proven to be an incredible one in the history of the Salone; one that has afforded us all with the wonder, enthusiasm and pleasure that comes with incredible creativity. Please join us for a virtual tour of some of our handpicked favourite installations, items and events that made this year’s Milan Design Week so momentous…

CIRCUIT wall lamp by APPARATUS studio.

PORTAL marble dining table and TASSEL ceiling light by APPARATUS studio.

LIGOMANCER by CTRLZAK for JCP (a new eclectic furniture brand owned by architect Livio Ballabio and orchestrated by CTRLZAK studio). Photo by Silvio Macchi, styling & art direction by CTRLZAK.


Bowl by Nicolas Schuybroek for When Objects Work.

Bowl by Nicolas Schuybroek for When Objects Work.

Neron dining table by Monica Förster Design Studio for Zanat.

SOLOMETALLO Consolle by Nikita Bettoni for De Castelli.

QUADRO CELESTE #5 rug by Studiopepe for CC-Tapis. Handknotted in Nepal Materials: Himalyan wool Quality OLDIE: 16.000 knots/sqm.

The Double Dream of Spring installation by Michael Anastassiades for Herman Miller which featured his inaugural collection of occasional furnishings
created exclusively for Herman Miller. Photo by Ben Anders

EXTRA table lamp by Michael Anastassiades for FLOS.

The Double Dream of Spring installation by Michael Anastassiades for Herman Miller which featured his inaugural collection of occasional furnishings
created exclusively for Herman Miller. Photo by Ben Anders

Secondome presented two original new collections entirely handmade in Italy, at the Ladies & Gentlemen exhibition, at 5Vie (an exhibition produced and curated by Secondome and P-S Design Consultant). The collections are: 'Una' (Articolo Indeterminativo) designed and crafted by the artisan Stefano Marolla and 'Awaiting', born from the cooperation between the young designer Giorgia Zanellato and the artist Coralla Maiuri.

CREDENZA (in Italian means both a cupboard and one’s belief) is a collection of furniture in stained glass inspired by the windows of holy sites as the ones created by Gerhard Richter for Cologne’s Cathedral. Designed by Patricia Urquiola and Federico Pepe for Spazio Pontaccio.

CREDENZA (in Italian means both a cupboard and one’s belief) is a collection of furniture in stained glass inspired by the windows of holy sites as the ones created by Gerhard Richter for Cologne’s Cathedral. Designed by Patricia Urquiola and Federico Pepe for Spazio Pontaccio.

Zanotta reconstructed and put into production the FENICE, the first modern table with a central leg, designed in 1936 by Piero Bottoni. (Eva leather armchairs by Ora Ïto, 2009). Set Design, styling: Studio Salaris, Photo: Beppe Brancato & Leo Torri. Photo courtesy of Zanotta, 2016.

Zanotta reconstructed and put into production the FENICE, the first modern table with a central leg, designed in 1936 by Piero Bottoni. (Eva leather armchairs by Ora Ïto, 2009 | Bookcase Scott by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, 2014). Set Design, styling: Studio Salaris, Photo: Beppe Brancato & Leo Torri. Photo courtesy of Zanotta, 2016.

Niobe small tables with black Marquinia Carrara or Emperador marble tops designed by Federica Capitani for Zanotta. Set Design, styling: Studio Salaris, Photo: Beppe Brancato & Leo Torri. Photo courtesy of Zanotta, 2016.

Krusin Collection 016 Designed by Marc Krusin for Knoll. Photo by Federico Cedrone.

The presenattion of Moooi's new creations at via Savona 56, Milan with oversized prints by the young British art photographer Rebecca Bathory.

VISIONI A soie by Patricia Urquiola for CC-Tapis. Handknotted in Nepal Materials: Himalyan wool and pure silk Quality A: 125.000 knots/sqm

The COUTURE armchair by Fredrik Färg & Emma Marga Blanche for BD Barcelona Design. Made with Wood Tailoring™ technique.

NO SEX project by Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari curated by Maria Cristina Didero.

NO SEX project by Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari curated by Maria Cristina Didero.

NO SEX project by Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari curated by Maria Cristina Didero.

Hem’s products launch in Milan this year celebrated the Italian tradition of gathering... "Ice Cream Social" installation preview inspired by gathering, sharing and socialising. Photo by Erik Lefvander.

Shapes Mirrors by Objects of Common Interest, a collaborative project between Eleni Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis, founding partners of architecture and design firm LOT with Italian manufature studio Mingardo.

Umbrella by Malin Yngvesson, part of the "In Our Office" project. In Our Office, a project by first year MA students from Lund University, School of Industrial Design. Supervised by guest professor Stefan Diez, in collaboration with Rolf Hay, co-founder of HAY.

Umbrella by Malin Yngvesson, part of the "In Our Office" project. In Our Office, a project by first year MA students from Lund University, School of Industrial Design. Supervised by guest professor Stefan Diez, in collaboration with Rolf Hay, co-founder of HAY.

Coin corner cupboard by Ferruccio Laviani for Emmemobili.

Toadstool furniture collection Masquespacio studio.

FEEL IT exhibition by VIA Designs' 6th semester Furniture students.

FRAME BY YOU by Sara Held part of the FEEL IT exhibition by VIA Designs' 6th semester Furniture students.

What You Need by Rikke Egebæk part of the FEEL IT exhibition by VIA Designs' 6th semester Furniture students.

BRB-ZZZzzzZZZ by Fredrika Hansson, part of the "In Our Office" project. In Our Office, a project by first year MA students from Lund University, School of Industrial Design. Supervised by guest professor Stefan Diez, in collaboration with Rolf Hay, co-founder of HAY.

Out of the Blue installation by Studiopepe at the Ladies & Gentlemen exhibition at 5Vie. A limited edition collection, composed of 8 objects, the fruit of a study about form, light, and colour. "The collection of sculptures investigates the correspondence between sunlight and the surface, through the study of form. The photographic process behind the cyanotype makes this mutable relationship visible (cyan comes from the ancient Greek word kýanos which means dark blue)." Photo by Silvia Rivoltella.

TAC/TILE by Andre Fu Living for LASVIT inspired by the 1932 Maison de Verre (a.k.a. House of Glass), Czech metropolitan passageways, traditional Chinese tiled roofs, the Flatiron Building, as well as modernist glass blocks. Photo by Moritz Waldemeyer.

‘Butler’ stand by David Chipperfield Architects for the Wallpaper* Handmade 2016 collection.

The ceramic and porcelain tiles designed by Cristina Celestino for the newly founded company BottegaNove.

TARGA furniture collection by GamFratesi for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna.

The Fractal Sideboard with marble marquetry by Ginger & Jagger.

Avio Sofa System Collection by Piero Lissoni for Knoll. Photo by Federico Cedrone.

Flexible Si light inspired by the magical aesthetics of light paintings and the graceful dance of ribbon in rhythmic gymnastics, designed by BCXSY and developed in The Netherlands by 6'4” design manufactory, Robert Andriessen and BCXSY..

Linea magazine holder from the wire collection by Álvaro Díaz Hernández.

Glass Drop table lamp by Foscarini on the VOLTAIRE cabinet by Moroso, both designed for Diesel Living.

Malmaison carpet series by Maison Christian Lacroix for the latest MOOOI rugs collection.

Intermissioni presentation of new objects by DIMORESTUDIO with references from the 1960s and 70s. Photo by Paola Pansini.

The Nature Of Motion: Endless Explorations of Movement. Ten progressive contemporary designers joined Nike to explore movement through various mediums. Featured here Martino Gamper’s collection of drums created a commentary on the rhythm of Natural Motion by stretching technical Nike Flyknit textiles over laminated plywood forms and securing them with Nike laces.
Video of The Nature Of Motion: Endless Explorations of MovementThe Nature Of Motion: Endless Explorations of Movement by Nike during Milan Design Week 2016 | Via Orobia 15, 20139.

THE PERFECT DENSITY installation by Migliore+Servetto Architects which identified the concept of density as the narrative fulcrum to celebrate the 50th anniversary of B&B Italia. Photo by Andrea Martiradonna.

"An audiovisual and tactile installation designed to stimulate your senses in order to explore the relationship between the architectural project and traditional methods of Tibetan rug culture, investigating what lies behind a surface." A collaboration between CC-tapis, Federico Delrosso Architects, and CC-FOR EDUCATION with technical sponsorship from Davide Groppi.

BELUGA by Klas Poulsen part of the FEEL IT exhibition by VIA Designs' 6th semester Furniture students. The bench, Gro, is inspired by mushrooms and their propagating in the Nature.

Gro bench by Therese Damkjær part of the FEEL IT exhibition by VIA Designs' 6th semester Furniture students. The bench, Gro, is inspired by mushrooms and their propagating in the Nature.

Console from the SHIMMER series by Patricia Urquiola for Glas Italia.

Mirror from the SHIMMER series by Patricia Urquiola for Glas Italia.

The ceramic tableware by Ryosuke Uehara and Yoshie Watanabe, aka KIGI, for KIKOF.

LAYERS bookselves by Nendo for Glas Italia.

Concreto console by Daniele Ragazzo.

Designer/architect Ferruccio Laviani played with scale in an Alice in Wonderland-like installation of Foscarini lamps and their giant versions.

CasaVitra at Fuorisalone 2016, art direction by Hella Jongerius, Installation concept and design by MüllerVanTol. © Vitra.

A collective oneiric world is revealed with David/Nicolas’ Dreamstatic carpet series for MOOOI rugs.

Probs by Konstantin Grcic for Cassina.

Barber & Osgerby‘s Puzzle tiles for Mutina.

The Shit Museum at the Storica Società di Incoraggiamento Arti & Mestieri (Historical Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Crafts) in Via Santa Marta. Photo © Henrik Blomqvist.

The Shit Museum at the Storica Società di Incoraggiamento Arti & Mestieri (Historical Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Crafts) in Via Santa Marta. Photo © Henrik Blomqvist.

The Shit Museum at the Storica Società di Incoraggiamento Arti & Mestieri (Historical Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Crafts) in Via Santa Marta. Photo © Henrik Blomqvist.

Designer Sebastian Cox and sculptor Laura Ellen Bacon bended, folded and intertwined thin strips of wood to create the “Along The Lines of Happiness” at Porticato Largo Richini at University Estatale of Milan / 3 metres high and 9 metres long / American soft maple, American cherry and American red oak. A project initiated by the American Hardwood Export Council. Photo by Giovanni Nardi.

"Time is TIME” installation by architect Tsuyoshi Tane of DGT (Dorell.Ghoymech.Tane/Architects) for CITIZEN. A surreal space generated with dancing light reflected in 100.000 main plates occupied an area of 1.000 sq.m in Superstudiopiù at Tortona district.
"time is TIME” installation by architect Tsuyoshi Tane of DGT (Dorell.Ghoymech.Tane/Architects) for CITIZEN. A surreal space generated with dancing light reflected in 100.000 main plates occupied an area of 1.000 sq.m in Superstudiopiù at Tortona district.

Installation view at Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale (Piazza Paolo VI, 6) of 50 manga chairs by Nendo
for Friedman Benda. Photo by Takumi Ota.

Installation view at Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale (Piazza Paolo VI, 6) of 50 manga chairs by Nendo
for Friedman Benda. Photo by Takumi Ota.

Light & Shadow by Nendo for Marsotto edizioni. Photo by Takumi Ota.

Light & Shadow by Nendo for Marsotto edizioni. Photo by Takumi Ota.

Light & Shadow by Nendo for Marsotto edizioni. Photo by Takumi Ota.

ANNI LUCE exhibition at The Triennale di Milano on the occasion of Lumiere's 25 years anniversary. A table lamp which was designed by Rodolfo Dordoni in 1990 by FOSCARINI and is still in production. The exhibition is curated by Michele Calzavara and Elisa Ossino.

Levity Pendant Light by Australian designers Joel & Kate Booy of studio Truly Truly.

Feel yourself swinging on the back of a flying bird on the Great Egret armchair by Stephanie Sayar and Charbel Garibeh, aka Sayar & Garibeh.

Mill table lamp by Earnest Studio inspired by the dexterity of the basic sphere, “Mill” is a movable table lamp that maintains its position using balance. Concept: Rachel Griffin | Design and Development: Rachel Griffin and Camille Fraslin | Photography: Pim Top.

Installation view of the Atelier Swarovski Home, a new luxury home accessories. Photo by Mark Cocksedge.

Space Frames by Studio Mieke Meijer.

RIVO, countertop washbasin by Emmanuel Babled for Alfa Marmi.

MAISSI BENCH by Salla Luhtasela and Wesley Walters part of the NONI exhibition at Ventura Lambrate where 8 Finnish designers presented their work.

A series of furniture inspired by fables by SVAROG. Photo by Aneta Kowalczyk & Kacper Lipinski/Kiali.

MARUTA stool (detail) by SHINYA YOSHIDA DESIGN.