Design is a solution we seek to address both personal and professional queries in our lives.
At the end of Day 2 at Salone Del Mobile , it was time to relax with a drink. Thanks to the Italian sun setting at 8 PM, you could enjoy your drinks while basking in its golden rays. I found myself in the delightful company of Katherina, someone I had met at Drafting Futures. The conversation that unfolded emphasized the necessity of design on a personal level. “When I was 17, my parents divorced, and during that turbulent time, I fell in love with an IT guy. We stayed together and eventually got married. Everything seemed perfect until I gave birth to our child. That’s when things started to unravel. As a professional corrosion engineer, I often wondered if the dedication I had for my partner as also work was being reciprocated. In this challenging phase, I discovered that design was the perfect antidote for me. It allowed me to maintain a positive state of mind and pass on good vibes to my daughter. Transitioning from a career in engineering to design isn’t easy, but as a mother, I believe it’s a necessary step. To immerse myself in the world of design, I found my way to Salone Del Mobile.”
Going forward, what happens next is another story waiting to unfurl. Yet, the conversation underscored the crucial role of design in our personal lives. It also meant an event like Salone Del Mobile draws not only those who pursue design professionally but also those seeking solutions for deeply personal challenges.
While having this conversation, my mind was also correlating this entire episode with a complex personality back in Delhi that I have had to deal with in my life. My attention also fell on a poster which read, “Salone Del Mobile: Where Design Evolves!” Clearly, it was more than just design that came into being here.
For centuries people have been fascinated by the concept of a time machine. Some want to go back in time and some want to change the course of events. In reality, this isn’t possible. Whenever I arrive in the city of Milan and get a chance to communicate with a global diaspora including fellow Asians who reside in Milan, I think…this is as close as I can come to the world that existed back home, prior to the partition of India. This is perhaps how the day-to-day communication took place between people who are referred to as Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Europeans; Divided by Britain, United in Milan. For me as an Asian, the city of Milan means a lot more!
Salone Del Mobile in Milan often reminds me of the tales I heard as a child about the migration of Siberian cranes and yellow wagtails to India every winter to find a mate. Village elders would often tell me these stories when I asked why I met them year after year instead of going elsewhere. They used to add jokingly, “Who knows, maybe akin to the cranes and wagtails, you may find love here,” and then with a hint of doubt, “or maybe elsewhere, in another city.” Years later, when I started visiting Salone Del Mobile, I often felt that the pursuit of good design is akin to finding a mate. Why else would people from across the globe flock to this annual design fair? This year I decided to alter my usual way of exploring Salone Del Mobile. From arriving in the city to exploring the various pavilions, I took a new approach. Unlike previous years when I usually arrived at Malpensa Airport, this time I flew into Milan Linate Airport via Rome and headed to the Hilton Hotel in Milan. After satisfying my hunger with Indian delicacies at Gandhi Ristorante in Lima in the evening, I was ready the next day to immerse myself in the allure and innovation of great design.
It was 8:30 am, Rho Fierra was blooming with red and white, the signature colors of Salone Del Mobile, and the legendary crowd of design enthusiasts had already lined up at the entry gates. After a few minutes of patience and perseverance I was inside the fairgrounds. A few meters away from the entrance, a stoic poster featuring David Lynch enticed the attendees, evoking curiosity about the installation the legendary filmmaker had designed. The name ‘Thinking Room’ reminded me of the nickname I had for my own mind. The fact that the installation was Lynch’s broader exploration into design, showcasing his skills beyond filmmaking, particularly highlighting his passion for carpentry and furniture design, was enough to catch my attention.
Unlike previous years when my Salone exploration began with Salone Satellite, this year I decided to check out the brands and installations first. Big names including Kartell, Molteni and Edra whose names have become synonymous with the fair, had a queue of enthusiasts dying to check out the brand’s offerings. Thankfully since I was an early lark, I didn’t have to wait much.
As an annual design event, year on year, Salone Del Mobile keeps improvising across numerous fronts, including its layout. This year the design of the individual areas served as a guide, creating a pathway that included both experiential spaces and zones for rest and relaxation, Then there were these immersive and interactive site-specific installations that also stole the highlight. One such installation titled “Under the Surface” was based in Pavilion 10 which hosted the International Bathroom Exhibition. The installation designed to examine the significance of water in bathroom design was developed by Accurat, Design Group Italia, and the design studio Salotto NY. Presented as a submerged island, the installation explored the effects of daily water use and how modern bathroom design can influence and change our habits.
When design drapes your mind, you want everything to be beautiful. Right from your living and work spaces, to your thoughts, all of it matters. Just like the seamlessness of form, function and aesthetics in architecture and design, the mind yearns for seamless design resolutions which can gratify our senses. As the nature of the query changes, so do the design resolutions and this year too Salone Del Mobile had risen up to the expectations.
Pavilion 13 hosted a group of high-profile companies showcasing classic-style furniture catering to the varied tastes of global design enthusiasts. The impressive list of brands here included Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors, Longi and Treca Paris.
The Bathroom Exhibition occupied not just Pavilion 10 but Pavilion 6 as well. The integration of technological components capable of improving the quality of life was a highlight of the exhibition. The varied product portfolio of the different brands here included smart toilets, advanced faucet systems, and other innovations designed to enhance user convenience and efficiency. The notable brands included Roca, Kohler, Duravit and Hansgrohe all of whom showcased innovative products. Roca featured the Nu faucet collection by Studio Inma Bermudez, Kohler introduced smart sanitary ware activated by sensors or magnetic cylindrical remote control and Duravit presented the Aurena bathroom series with perfect contours, precise proportions, and a variety of colors, sizes, and finishes, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Much of the Salone layout design was based on the goal to transform the fair into an open ecosystem that encouraged dialogue and collaboration within the design community. The “Drafting Futures” arena in Pavilion 14 was an embodiment of this idea. Conceived as a space for dynamic conversations and lectures, the design featured seating recycled from the previous edition of the fair, emphasizing sustainability. The entire area was covered with a mossy green carpet printed with abstract doodles, creating a visually engaging environment that matched the velvet seating and the adjacent green- and wood-clad library. The central positioning of the speakers facilitated a circular exchange of thoughts and information, enhancing the interactive nature of the discussions.
The “Drafting Futures” program featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Francis Kéré, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect known for his community-focused projects; John Pawson, a renowned architect celebrated for his minimalist designs; Jeanne Gang, the founding partner of Studio Gang, recognized for her innovative architectural solutions; Hans Ulrich Obrist, the Artistic Director of the Serpentine Gallery, known for his influential work in contemporary art; Maria Porro, the President of the exhibition, also participated in the discussions; Deyan Sudjic, the former director of the Design Museum in London, contributing his expertise in design and architecture; and Johanna Agerman Ross, a curator and writer, engaging in conversations with other notable figures.
“Drafting Futures” lived up to its name, leading me to Katherina with whom I later engaged in a conversation that centered on the question, “What futures are we, as individuals, drafting in our personal lives, and is there a way out?” Facilitated by a shared love for design, this chance meeting would prompt me to ponder on key aspects of my thought process. However, now there were more brands and products to discover.
In Pavilions 14 and 18, the focus was on hospitality, with companies like Quadrifoglio Group playing a key role. The designs showcased new trends, materials, and unique concepts for hospitality, aiming to make a lasting impact on the design industry. These projects addressed current challenges and aimed to create both economic and social value in an ever-changing industry. Additionally, Pavilions 14 and 18 provided insights into the office world, emphasizing design, innovation, flexibility, functionality, sustainability, and versatility. The showcased brands included Quinti Sedute, Slalom acoustic & partition systems, and Martex. The bouquet of prominent brands also included Cattelan Italia, Pedrali, Nardi, Secolo, RS Barcelona and Milla & Milli
As an event, Salone has witnessed the evolving nature of design trends. Each year, the careful and meticulous selection of exhibitors has enabled it to offer precise design solutions. Salone Internazionale del Mobile, EuroCucina | FTK, International Bathroom Exhibition, International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, and Workplace 3.0 S.Project all deeply satisfy contemporary design queries. It’s only when an exhibition gratifies the creative rationality that it truly succeeds.
To enhance the design query argument, it is important to understand that queries and solutions can transcend timelines. If I am an expert architect or designer, not all of my queries may be addressed by the brands I am familiar with; they might come from a much younger generation. Salone del Mobile understands this dynamic effectively, and each year, SaloneSatellite brings together young designers from across the globe.
Around 600 participants from 32 countries and 22 international Design Schools and Universities from 13 countries entered the 25th edition of the SaloneSatellite. Taking part for the first time this year were designers from Prince Sultan University (Saudi Arabia), Belgrade Business and Arts Academy of Applied Studies from Serbia, Michael Graves College in the United States and Xi’An Jiaotong-Liverpool University from China. Salone Satellite 2024 marked its 25th anniversary with a significant celebration of emerging design talents. This event, a key part of the Salone del Mobile, introduced several new features, including a mentoring program and the first online design store specifically for Salone Satellite participants.
SaloneSatellite Awards celebrated exceptional talent in design, with Studio Ololoo from China securing the First Prize for their innovative “Deformation Under Pressure” lamp, highlighting the significance of the platform for emerging designers. Filippo Andrighetto from Denmark earned the Second Prize with his “Veliero” bookcase, underscoring the importance of persistence and dedication in the field. Italy’s Egoundesign received the Third Prize for their unique “Voronoi” 3D printed brass cups, inspired by stone balancing, acknowledging SaloneSatellite’s support for creative approaches. A Special Mention went to Collectif Mohamed Romani, Chems Eddine Mechri, and Ahmed Bssila for the ONAT lamp, granting them a residency in China, further enriching the global design community.
Apart from products and innovations, I have always valued the conversations I have had as Salone, in the 25th edition of SaloneSatellite I got a change to garner insights on design philosophy and allied topics when I spoke to Ana Marija Ćuća (Part of the SCION (Plemka) Project) and later Federica Breedveld Bortolozzo The SCION (Plemka) Project showcased innovative designs that blended tradition with forward-thinking concepts. Inspired by grafting – a process where a noble plant part (scion) is integrated into another plant to create something new – the project brought this idea into design. These designs were presented as part of the Furniture Design 2 course within the Master’s program in Spatial Design at the Belgrade Business and Arts Academy of Applied Studies, Department of Art and Design. The project, supervised by Professor Jugoslava Kljakić Donić, emphasized tradition, sustainability, and functional integrity, highlighting the importance of storytelling in design and the potential for innovation while respecting tradition and sustainability.
It was my last day at Salone and half an hour before the fair would come to a close, it was also a time when a conversation with designer Federica Breedveld Bortolozzo would begin, a conversation furthered by a product ‘Who Looks at Who’ which she had designed, the product had much to do with the male gaze which objectifies women said the designer, for me as a viewer it did remind me of an octopus as well.
The design philosophy of the product led the centrist in me to steer the conversation towards why unmarried and at times married women chose to stay with men who mistreat them. Why despite them having a chance to break free they don’t? Why would they not choose men who respect them and rather manipulate them? Is it because in the former case the power of status and wealth act as a guiding light, or is it that their emotion or motive itself confines them? If the product I am looking at addresses the misogynistic tendencies, is there a design which will address the complex behavior which endangers the life of a female and males who genuinely love them? I am hoping product designers will find it out sometime.
My convictions on this matter stem from a poignant moment in my life, shortly after my mother’s passing, when I first heard these words from an architect: “I talk to you when I am in distress because I feel very relieved.” Despite offering unwavering support both personally and professionally during her darkest hours, she chose to remain with those who exploited her, and later, with someone so possessive that it led to violence. Her inability to recognize that those who bring calm to her chaos, who uplift her during turmoil, are worthy of her love reveals a tendency : the capacity to seek solace from someone during a crisis, yet an incapacity to reciprocate that love intimately. My heart, mind and soul still await a resolution which will take into account I am human too and work in my favor.
All of this led me to reiterate what my mind concluded after speaking to Katherina over a drink. Our creative queries as also affinities are a response to the existential crisis which we face in our day to day lives. In design, we are looking for a resolution, we are trying to find a way out and we are looking for happiness Once you understand that you realize that Salone Del Mobile is a place where people arrive not just to find products but a resolution they seek in their lives. The nature of the query albeit professional since it is coming from architects, designers and design enthusiasts has a dash of personal significance attached to it. Hence design is a product, design is a syntax for happiness, design is a resolution and design is an experience in itself
As the 62nd edition of Salone came to a close, I made my way toward the exit, looking at the poster for Salone Del Mobile 2025. I wondered what stories the city of Milan and Salone Del Mobile will conjure in its next edition. Enlightening me about the innovations and wonder of design, this edition made me aware that I am not the only one battling personal struggles. Like they say darkness mandates the relevance of light, letting it guide us towards happiness from plight, I hope to bask in companionship of the ‘sacred feminine’ when I script the Salone Diaries 2025. For now, it was time for me to head to Rome and meet more interesting people, including some from war-torn Ukraine, who managed to keep their lives in order, smile, and be free.
Text By : Vikas Bhadra
Connect Online@www.salonemilano.it/en
