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The Superdesign Show 2025 at Superstudio Più in Milan's Tortona District marks 25 years of shaping design culture. Embracing the theme of Happiness, the design event offers an optimistic perspective in a world that often feels weighed down by uncertainty. The concept is a response to the increasing desire for joy in everyday life, reflected in objects, spaces and the way we interact with design. On view from April 7 – 12, 2025 during Milan Design Week 2025, this edition explores how happiness can be embedded into form, material and experience, inviting visitors into a world where creativity and innovation merge to create uplifting environments.
The design fair, led by Gisella Borioli with art direction by Giulio Cappellini, welcomes over 70 designers from 10 countries across three continents, presenting more than 20 groundbreaking projects. The exhibition space itself mirrors the theme, unified by a radiant yellow hue symbolising energy and positivity. Graphic artist Daniele Cima has designed unique lettering for the event, where each letter functions as a miniature work of art, reinforcing the idea that even the smallest details can evoke joy.
To celebrate its anniversary, the studio presents Unforgettable – 25 Years of Design at Superstudio, a retrospective highlighting iconic contributions from some of Italy's most influential brands. Acerbis, Alcantara, Alessi, Boffi, Cappellini, Cassina, Ceramica Flaminia, De Padova, HENRYTIMI, Icone Luce, MDF Italia, Moroso, Living Divani, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, Technogym, Trussardi Casa and Zanotta are among the brands showcased, reaffirming their role in shaping contemporary design. These pieces, which have become benchmarks in the industry, serve as a testament to the enduring power of good design to bring comfort, beauty and, ultimately, happiness. As a media partner, STIR presents a curated list of exhibitors who are bringing their unique interpretations of happiness to the show.
Independent pavilions within Milan Design Week offer immersive experiences that embody the theme. Lexus presents A-Un, an installation that explores human-machine interaction, allowing visitors to synchronise their heartbeat with natural sounds within a space defined by luminous threads forming the silhouette of the Black Butterfly. This multi-sensory environment reimagines how future electric vehicle interfaces might integrate emotion and responsiveness.
Complementing this is Discover Together, a collaboration between Lexus and emerging talents that explores co-creation as a catalyst for design innovation. Swiss company Geberit introduces Where Water Meets Design, an installation dedicated to the transformative nature of water, emphasising sustainability and well-being through advanced design solutions.
A global perspective emerges through a series of collective exhibitions. The Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA) presents Urban Reflection, a showcase of ten teams of interior designers and manufacturers blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship. Recycled yarns and salvaged tram glass become poetic symbols of Hong Kong’s evolving identity. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) present Slow Hand Design Thailand 2025 and FRONT 100, celebrating Thai culture through furniture and statuettes designed to spark joy. Meanwhile, Happy Objects curates a selection of designs that reinterpret the notion of happiness, including the Amore Ocean bench by SLIDE, made from ocean-recovered recycled plastic, blending sustainability with a commitment to public engagement. The Scale of Commitment, curated by Materially, highlights how material innovation can drive a more sustainable design future.
The mosaic of exhibitors further expands the conversation on happiness in design. Acmé’s Ode to Everyday Things transforms mundane objects into artistic expressions, merging innovation with craftsmanship. The German National Tourist Board presents Cultureland Germany: A Design Journey, an exploration of German design heritage that connects iconic past creations with contemporary interpretations. Mattia Biagi’s Motototem reimagines the motorcycle as a sculptural object, blending materials such as travertine, glass and aluminium to bridge technology and nature. FORUM8’s Empowering Happiness Through Web 4.0 uses immersive technologies to redesign spaces and even takes visitors on a conceptual journey to the Moon. GPJ Japan's Happiness One-fab objects f(x)=? embraces the unpredictability of joy through the chaotic yet harmonious movement of a double pendulum.
Design and functionality intersect in projects such as Hsiang Han Hsu's X Possibilities for Cappellini, derived from the X Table System, a modular furniture system that blurs the line between nature and industry. Istituto Marangoni Milano’s Sensitive Space envisions the future of intelligent and interactive living environments where design and technology create responsive interiors. LAPILLI, in collaboration with FoodDesignStories, presents The Yellow Room, an experiential journey through a space divided into three key environments representing happiness—an evolving construction site, a lush garden and a materials library showcasing lava stone as a central element in emotional and sensory design.
The interplay of art, design and emotional engagement take centre stage at the design festival, with two significant exhibitions adding depth to the exploration of happiness. The FLA Flavio Lucchini Art Museum, dedicated to the visionary founder’s artistic journey, presents Enjoy, a preview exhibition at MyOwnGallery that unveils a selection of previously unseen works. The museum itself offers a unique experience through guided tours, taking visitors underground into air-raid shelters and historic workshops before revealing 20 thematic rooms that bridge the worlds of fashion, design and architecture.
At The Lab, the intersection of urban life and artistic expression is explored through Facades – Order in Chaos by Mao Sagao. His paintings transform cityscapes into abstract compositions, capturing the isolation of contemporary urban dwellers. Through layered textures and shifting perspectives, Sagao challenges perceptions of space and belonging, mirroring broader conversations about how design and the built environment shape human emotion. Across both exhibitions, the idea of happiness emerges not as a static state but as an evolving dialogue between form, history and personal experience.
Beyond exhibitions, Superdesign Show 2025 extends its vision of happiness through collaborations with key technical partners, whose contributions enhance the visitor experience and the event’s infrastructure. FREDDY provides a specially designed uniform for the team, reinforcing the synergy between movement and design. KALD GmbH introduces the Surf Bench, a sculptural seating system that echoes the fluidity of waves, while HEFLIES presents its weightless, balloon-like pouffes that blur the boundary between furniture design and art. Ferrari Trento elevates the celebratory atmosphere with its sparkling wine, setting the tone for the opening evening.
On the newly reimagined rooftop of Superstudio Più, SLIDE transforms the space into a dynamic relaxation area with its playful yet functional furniture, offering visitors a space to pause and reflect. Overlooking the city, Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Terzo Paradiso installation adds a contemplative dimension, reinforcing the show’s exploration of design as a medium for both joy and reflection.
The Superdesign Show 2025 reaffirms Milan as a global capital of design, where innovation is driven by a desire to create meaningful, joyful experiences. The theme of happiness is not just an abstract concept but an active exploration, one that underscores the fundamental role of design in shaping human experience. Through a carefully curated mix of heritage, experimentation and material innovation, this year's edition offers a vision of a world where design continues to inspire, uplift and create moments of delight.
Keep up with STIR's coverage of Milan Design Week 2025, where we spotlight the most compelling exhibitions, presentations and installations from top studios, designers and brands. Dive into the highlights of Euroluce 2025 and explore all the design districts—Fuorisalone, 5Vie, Brera, Isola, Durini, and beyond—alongside the faceted programme of Salone del Mobile.Milano this year.
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