Tortona Design Week steers Fuorisalone 2022 keeping ‘Fluidity and Design’ in focus

In an effort to reshape the city into the world capital of design, Milan Design Week 2022 has set into motion its myriad events, including the intrinsic Fuorisalone 2022. As every year, earning its spot amongst the most anticipated protagonists, the Tortona Design Week has returned from 6th to 12th June, 2022. This edition unfolds with the Fluidity and Design project at its heart, a concept with which the promoters and organisers of the event - Torneria Tortona and Tortona Locations - reestablish the path taken in recent times to construe design as an accumulator of cultural and sociological transformation. These are the determinants that characterise the path the industry pioneers are treading, guided by the environmental plight that is upon us and is moulding our lives.

Featuring companies of national and international reputation, Tortona will be packed with striking presentations by Subaru, Timberland, Apima, Saviola, IKEA, Candy, Hoover, Haier, Lexus, gloTM, Delta Light, Capital, Decor Lab and Lechler - ColorDesign among others. Main sponsor of the project, Subaru, will unveil the shapes of SOLTERRA, the first BEV entirely driven by an electric engine, which will be the highlight of Subaru Peace of Mind Lounge: a harbour of relaxation and artistic performances.

As a symbol of commitment to the path trodden by Tortona Design Week, the 2022 edition will also see the revelation of ‘Completing the fragments of nature’. Designed by a group of Domus Academy students, the project was awarded as the winner of The Roundabout: design with nature contest, launched in 2021 by Tortona Design Week and Domus Academy. Owing to the contribution of Urbo Style, Linea Light Group and Sense immaterial Reality, the Rotonda in Via Bergognone will morph into a virtual and physical installation, envisioning a more ecological and sustainable Milan, in view of the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026.

From amongst the wide roster of projects, installations and events that will unravel at the design festival, let’s look at the showcases that will highlight the six-day celebration:

Timberland x Stefano Boeri Interiors present ‘Floating Forest’

Urban greening is an indispensable step in opposing the effects of climate change and enhancing quality of life: an urban forest can not only tip the balance in favour of improvement of environmental health but also aid in restoring biodiversity to leave a legacy for future generations. The installation by Timberland, a New Hampshire based brand, aims to inspire a new generation to move the world forward, spotlighting the important role that nature plays, accentuating the brand’s vision for a greener future, along with the concept of circularity, where nothing goes to waste. A meaningful and recognisable attraction created on the waters of the Darsena in Milan, the Floating Forest expresses new forms of environmental responsibility and new methods of utilising urbanised spaces. Designed by Stefano Boeri Interiors, the striking element on the urban landscape, reconciles the natural world and human beings, creating a space where the distance between nature and humans takes on new forms.

MADE IN PORTUGAL by APIMA and AICEP

Following a successful first event, last year, APIMA (Portuguese Association of Furniture and Related Industries) and AICEP bring to Milan a second initiative, striving to foster Portuguese brands and products within Italian buyers and the throng of international designers, buyers and other professionals that visit Milan during that week. An exclusive selection of the best Portuguese products for home design and interiors will be showcased from the 6th to the 11th June,2022 in the ‘MADE IN PORTUGAL naturally’ exhibition at Tortona Design Week. The Portuguese show, located at Via Tortona, 30, encompasses an elegant ensemble of products from over 40 companies of several industries, such as furniture, bedding, home textiles, cutlery, ceramics, lighting and rug designs. The exhibition will feature solutions from some of the most renowned Portuguese companies, such as Laskasas, GlammFire, JMS, Spal and Ferreira de Sá Rugs. Together, they simulate a welcoming and exquisite area composed of a lounge and bar.

IKEA Festival

IKEA brings the ‘IKEA Festival’ to BASE in Milan for Milan Design Week 2022. Contributing to the Tortona Design Week, the festival will follow a dynamic schedule of events and engaging experiences to illustrate the future of retail and design, explore the evolution of the relationship between people and their homes, and demonstrate how improving everyday life can create a more mindful home. Adhering to the theme of this year's Fuorisalone, Between Space and Time, IKEA will feature Fredrika Inger, Global Range Manager at IKEA of Sweden, Design Manager Johan Ejdemo, in-house designers Mikael Axelsson and Friso Wiersma, UK-based designer and collaborator Ilse Crawford, Rotterdam-based designer Sabine Marcelis among many more. “Fuorisalone is the high point of every design-enthusiasts’ calendar,” says Marcus Engman, Chief Creative Officer at Ingka Group, the largest IKEA franchisee. “After two long years without it in our lives, we are thrilled to be coming back with a bursting schedule full of the unique IKEA magic, from collaborations to democratic design talks, and ever-changing installations to parties every evening,” he adds.

‘Home Switch Home’ by Haier Europe

Following the success of the ‘Connect to Extraordinary’ experience presented in 2021, Haier Europe returns to Tortona Design Week with an immersive and experiential journey called ‘Home Switch Home’, that will portray smart home designed by Haier Europe for three international brands Candy, Hoover and Haier; the consequence of relentless attention to technological innovation, artificial intelligence, and design. Three ecosystems that develop around people’s lives, adapt to personal taste and anticipate the needs and desires, where appliances and services come together to provide a contemporary home experience. Technology, connectivity, and design amalgamate to bring forth innovative solutions designed around values and targets of each specific brand.

GARDE x ADF for Re_creating by nature

GARDE, in collaboration with ADF that brings Re_creating by nature to Tortona Design Week, exhibits a piece of furniture conforming to the theme. The winning projects of the 2021 New Graduate Award which was established by the Order of Architects of the Province of Milano and organised by the Order’s Foundation will also share the stage. The duo, Lisa Ogawa and Tomomi Kawashima conceive their work as “a work that explores the charm of the natural world. Stones are hard, cold, and inorganic, even though they have been familiar to people since ancient times.” “However, by combining the act of consumption, we have designed a figure that can be placed near people,” they share.

Zip Zone Events

Zip Zone Events is the event format designed by Alessandra Stretti to emphasise the nature of Fuorisalone, which symbolises the beating heart of design in various forms. A multifaceted and immersive experience, the features range from collective exhibitions of design and art to creations of innovative and recycled materials in their purest expression. Additionally, ‘Fuori di Design’, a cluster of talent showcases promoted by Materioteca, takes place within Zip Zone Events. In this tenth edition products resulting from materials reuse and/or recycling are hosted. The exhibition will be powered by the extraordinary participation of Idea Plast, whose research and development department has proven time and again to be an exceptional force of inspiration in giving an unparalleled second life to a disparate variety of polymeric waste.

STIR takes you on a Milanese sojourn! Experience Salone del Mobile and all the design districts - 5vie, Brera, Fuorisalone, Isola, Zona Tortona, and Durini - with us. STIR’s coverage of Milan Design Week 2022, Meanwhile in Milan showcases the best exhibits, moods, studios, events, and folks to look out for. We are also excited to announce our very own STIR press booth at Salone del Mobile - Hall 5/7 S.14, Fiera Milano RHO.