The square and the surrounding areas near the Sforzesco Castle in Milan are one of the most representative and evocative pulsating hearts of the city, amidst historical buildings, elegant residential neighborhoods, and architectural scenographies ranging from Liberty to Baroque. Among the various squares and streets intersecting neatly with each other, aided by the neoclassical Foro Bonaparte – upon whose ideal form majestic constructions rise – are showrooms of contemporary design that, during Milano Design Week (April 15-21, 2024), organize installations and presentations on the latest trends of the upcoming season and the style of tomorrow.
Crossing Parco Sempione, behind Stazione Cadorna, leads to another reference address for the entire world of art and culture: the Palazzo della Triennale Milano, which, during the design week, boasts a rich program of exhibitions and events specifically themed. There are many interesting appointments, some not to be missed.
WHAT TO SEE
AHEC – new collections
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) focuses on maple, a precious but underutilized hardwood, choosing two English studios to create new pieces: the British-Ghanaian artist and architect Giles Tettey Nartey and the interdisciplinary studio Parti founded by Eleanor Hill and Tom Leahy.
Fuorisalone: Triennale Milano – Viale Emilio Alemagna 6 – M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 16-21, 2024 / 1:00 PM-9:00 PM – americanhardwood.org
ALCANTARA – exhibition
The exhibition “Generating Visions” is an unprecedented journey into the historical archive of Alcantara, the result of its multi-year experimentation in the world of art and design: it showcases a selection of works by international artists, diverse in generation, practice, and poetics, invited over the years by the company to engage with Alcantara material and technology.
Fuorisalone: Triennale Milano – Viale Emilio Alemagna 6 – M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 16-21, 2024 / 1:00 PM-9:00 PM – alcantara.com
BUDRI – new collections
The renowned company from Mirandola (MO), known worldwide for its excellence in marble processing and artistic inlay, presents the new collection “Geodies” designed by Patricia Urquiola, exploring the world of quartz, geodes, and primordial stones.
Fuorisalone: Foro Bonaparte 60 – M2 Lanza/M1 Cairoli
Dates and hours: April 15-21, 2024 / 9:30 AM-9:00 PM – budri.com
EMECO – exhibition
With the exhibition “Emeco to Emeco” curated by Jasper Morrison, the American company celebrates its 80 years of activity. A story that began with the production of the iconic Navy Chair Emeco 1006, made of recycled aluminum (still in production today), commissioned by the US Navy during World War II.
Fuorisalone: Triennale Milano – Viale Emilio Alemagna 6 – M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 15-21, 2024 / 11:00 AM-8:00 PM – emeco.net
FIEMME TREMILA – new collections
“TREEmaterial. The Lights of Fiemme and the Small Forest Library” is the event organized by the Trentino company in its showroom, presenting new biocompatible products and setting up a small library open to all with readings, essays, and novels dedicated to the forest.
Fuorisalone: Via Giovanni Lanza 4 – M2 Lanza
Dates and hours: April 15-20, 2024 / 10:00 AM-7:00 PM – fiemmetremila.it
FLORIM – new collections
Florim shares its vision of design and the future of planning in the setup created in the renewed spaces of the Flagship Store in the Castello area, redesigned by Matteo Nunziati, showcasing the latest from Florim and Cedit.
Fuorisalone: Foro Bonaparte 14 – M2 Lanza/M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 15, 2024 / 12:00 PM-7:00 PM
April 16-18, 2024 / 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
April 19-21, 2024 / 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
Salone del Mobile.Milano: Hall 24/G02-G03 – florim.com
FONDAZIONE ACHILLE CASTIGLIONI – exhibition
The exhibition titled “Projects to Serve, Castiglioni and Catering” is set up inside the Achille Castiglioni Foundation and curated by Chiara Alessi and Marco Marzini, dedicated to spatial solutions imagined by Milanese architects for seven catering projects.
Fuorisalone: Fondazione Achille Castiglioni – Piazza Castello 27 – M2 Lanza/M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 16-21, 2024 / 10:30 AM-8:00 PM – fondazioneachillecastiglioni.it
By appointment: info@achillecastiglioni.it – tel. +39 02 8053606
FRAG – new collections
Frag, a true excellence in leather and leather furniture, presents new projects created in collaboration with Oscar and Gabriele Buratti and Werner Aisslinger at its showroom, a place that has become a reference hub for meetings with architects and interior designers.
Fuorisalone: Via Carducci 38 – M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 16-19, 2024 / 8:30 AM-8:00 PM
April 20, 2024 / 10:00 AM-8:00 PM – frag.it
HFDA – exhibition
The event “Design Walk in Budapest” organized by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency and Rossana Orlandi at La Triennale aims to highlight the dynamic Hungarian creative community with a selection of pieces by emerging designers.
Fuorisalone: Triennale Milano – Viale Emilio Alemagna 6 – M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 16-19, 2024 / 8:30 AM-9:00 PM – hfda.hu
LE FRENCH DESIGN – new collections exhibition
With the event “French Living in Motion,” an interactive map on the website, and 80 participants in the city and at Fiera Milano in Rho Pero, France aims to showcase sustainable design, excellence in French arts and crafts with a “French Living Tour” guiding visitors to discover temporary showrooms and two exhibitions: “Monolithes” by L’Ameublement Français and “Nomadic Nuances.”
Fuorisalone: “Monolithes” via Palermo 11 – M2 Lanza/Palestro
Dates and hours: April 15-21, 2024 / 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
Fuorisalone: “Nomadic Nuances” Corso Magenta 63 – M1 Cadorna
Dates and hours: April 15-20, 2024 / 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Tour by appointment: frenchliving-inmotion.com – lefrenchdesign.org
LUALDI – new collections
The historical company, specialized in interior doors and custom furniture for the interior and contract worlds, presents various applications of new finishes and colors in glass, aluminum, and wood.
Fuorisalone: Foro Bonaparte 74 – M2 Lanza
Dates and hours: April 16-21, 2024 / 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Salone del Mobile.Milano: Hall 9/H11 – lualdiporte.com
PALMA&BRAVO – new collections
Verso Gallery announces the opening of its first temporary space in Milan. eThey do so by exhibiting pieces from the Palma and Bravo studios that combine traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde design techniques to create innovative pieces reflecting the unique cultural identities and use of materials from Brazil and Chile.
Fuorisalone: Verso Gallery – Via Vincenzo Gioberti 1 – M2 Lanza
Dates and hours: April 15-21, 2024 / 10:00 AM-6:00 PM – versogallery.ca
PHILIPPE STARCK – exhibition
French designer Philippe Starck chooses the Sforzesco Castle for his installation “Transitions”: an immersive experience inviting visitors to a multisensory exploration of the states in which matter manifests, in collaboration with the creative team Alilce and Alex Buroni, Gloria Lisi.
Fuorisalone: Sala dei Pilastri Castello Sforzesco – Piazza Castello – M1 Cairoli
Dates and hours: April 15-21, 2024 / 10:00 AM-7:00 PM – starck.com
ZALF – new collections
With a special installation, the company presents new finishes of its Freespace modular shoulder system, further developing the concept of furnishing systems that become multifunctional architectural structures.
Fuorisalone: Brera Contract – Foro Bonaparte 57 – M2 Lanza
Dates and hours: April 15-21, 2024 / 10:00 AM-9:00 PM – zalf.com
Cover image: HFDA – “Design Walk in Budapest” event organized by Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency and Rossana Orlandi at Triennale Milano.
