6 Must See Exhibits at Milan Design Week 2025
Milan Design Week 2025 is in full bloom, transforming the city into an ephemeral landscape array of installations that blend art, innovation, and craftsmanship. From kinetic sculptures to immersive sensory experiences, here are 7 standout installations to inspire your creativity.
1. Library of Light by Es Devlin
Location: Cortile d’Onore, Pinacoteca di Brera
Es Devlin’s Library of Light transforms a historic 17th-century courtyard into a luminous theater of reflection. This 18-meter-wide revolving structure features over 3,000 illuminated books and mirrors that redirect sunlight during the day, while at night, it becomes a glowing lantern casting shifting shadows. Voices such as Benedict Cumberbatch reading Carlo Rovelli’s The Order of Time echo through the space, creating a poetic atmosphere. Visitors can also participate in cultural programs and contribute books to this evolving archive.
2. The Second Skin by Aesop
Location: Chiesa del Carmine
Aesop’s The Second Skin reimagines the relationship between the body and space. This sensory installation features elevated hand basins for meditative handwashing and a striking 16-meter-long cedarwood table by Sebastian Cox that fills the room with warm, woody aromas. A quieter adjoining room offers hand massages with Aesop’s Eleos range amid rare Italian furniture, creating an intimate retreat for visitors[2][3].
Image: Visitors engaging with Aesop's sensory installation in Chiesa del Carmine.
3. Source of Pleasure by Lavazza
Location: Palazzo del Senato
Celebrating its 130th anniversary, Lavazza presents Source of Pleasure, designed by Juliana Lima Vasconcellos. This monumental 18-meter installation evokes the essence of coffee through its warm tones and sacred ambiance. Set against the historic colonnade, it immerses visitors in Lavazza’s heritage and future through a multisensory experience.
4. Capsule Plaza – Expanded Living
Location: Spazio Maiocchi & Satellite Venues in Porta Venezia
Capsule Plaza explores “Expanded Living” through hybrid habitats and multisensory experiences. Featuring collaborations with brands like Nike, Stone Island, and Humanrace, this exhibition reshapes domesticity with innovative designs. Talks, workshops, and pop-ups add depth to this dynamic program.
5. Naturalia by Buccellati
Location: Buccellati Headquarters, Via Brisa 5
Buccellati’s Naturalia installation merges nature with craftsmanship through botanical displays and soundscapes that bring silver creations to life. Highlights include the Furry Animals collection, showcasing intricate silver engravings inspired by fur and feathers.
6. Adaptive Ground by Marsèll x Objects of Common Interest
Location: Marsèll Milano Spiga, Via della Spiga 42
This installation redefines materiality and spatial relationships through sculptural seating, tubular light formations, and inflatable structures. It blends Marsèll’s footwear craftsmanship with innovative furniture design, inviting visitors to engage with shifting textures and forms.
Milan Design Week 2025 offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore groundbreaking design concepts across the city. With such a range of exhibits, Milan Design Week 2025 is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
-----Articles Referenced------
https://www.designboom.com/design/designbooms-ultimate-guide-milan-design-week-2025/
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