Salone del Mobile Explores Culture of Design Beyond Business

FDT Bureau

Salone del Mobile.Milano goes beyond mere business and networking, delving into the rich culture of design and innovation. Pavilion 14 served as a hub for Talks, Round Tables, the Salone’s Library, and the Corraini Mobile Bookshop. Here is a detailed report on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

The Talks and Round Tables, titled Drafting Futures: Conversations about Next Perspectives, curated by Annalisa Rosso, was held in Pavilion 14’s Arena, designed by Formafantasma. These sessions featured leading figures from various fields, encouraging insightful discussions on contemporary issues. The theme Drafting Futures emerged from collaborative efforts over the past year. Renowned speakers like Francis Kere, the first African architect to win the Pritzker Prize, shared insights on community involvement in architecture. Other sessions included discussions between John Pawson and Deyan Sudjic, and Jeanne Gang with Johanna Agerman Ross, exploring various aspects of design and architecture. Besides Talks and Round Tables, various themes were addressed, including artificial intelligence, the relationship between pleasure boating and design, and innovations in the hospitality sector.

A notable addition this year was the Salone Library project, also designed by Formafantasma. Key speakers recommended books that influenced them. Formafantasma also collaborated with the Corraini Mobile Bookshop, where authors signed books after the Talks. This initiative underscored Salone del Mobile.Milano’s commitment to fostering a culture of learning, inspiration and collaboration within the design community.

Image credit: Romano Dubbin