Why Milano Design Week should be on your bucket list?

by Suada Dema

More than to a hectic city, Milan itself sometimes resembles to an enormous exhibition that cannot go unrelated to the concept of the obvious, aesthetics and the experimentation in search of the immaculate.

10th September marked the ending of Milano Design Week 2021, one of the world’s most important events for design and architecture. Regardless of this year’s different circumstances, for six days in a row design enthusiasts had the chance to visit the exhibitions of Salone del Mobile in Rho Fiera and the events of Fuorisalone happening in the most famous districts of the city.

For new architects and designers, design week is another kind of learning experience and a great source of inspiration, not only because of its visual impact but also by offering a direct interaction with how people use and experience design as well as what they look for in innovative products. More often than not, Fuorisalone is a place where new initiatives take place, different cultures, techniques and design approaches get promoted and recognised for their efforts and contribution to the challenges of architecture and design. Special attention is given especially to the presentation of the projects, where different creatives choose to play with all the details of spaces, the light and the sounds, in order to provide an immersive escapade.

The fairs and exhibitions are followed by creative events that give one the opportunity to connect with the most impactful professionals in the field of contemporary design and architecture. Talks, presentations and interviews with prominent architects take place continuously, encouraging participants to get a closer look on the challenges the field of design is facing, related to climatic, political and social changes. The events are not limited to formal ones, as more encompassing public activities accompany the exhibitions throughout the whole week.

Walking the streets of Brera in search of old palazzos that now are venues to contemporary installations, one can’t help it but feel part of a treasure hunt. Nevertheless, what really makes this event so important is not necessarily, that eccentric chair or its other esoteric objects, but the moment you realise that you are overwhelmed by experiencing so much in so little time, the idea that every detail is important and that good design can really have a tangible impact, except the aesthetical awe.

After all, Design week is the time when the city of Milan becomes what it dreams to be, an immersive manifestation of beauty, good taste and a new elaborately thought of temporary reality.