The most anticipated design fair of the year returns April 18–23 for its 61st edition. This year, Salone del Mobile has announced changes meant to address sustainability, user-friendliness, and quality throughout the fair, as well as the return of the international lighting exhibition Euroluce after a four-year hiatus. The fair-within-a-fair will feature an installation by design studio FormaFantasma, an exhibition about the light bulb, and a solo show, featuring the work of architectural photographer Hélène Binet, that examines the relationship between lighting design and architecture. Rising talents will be on display at the annual Salone Satellite—a section of the fair spotlighting 550 creatives from 27 design schools and universities around the world. Speakers for the week include team members from Snøhetta, Shigeru Ban Architects, and MAD Architects.
Unboxing, a show feature, is a selection of novelties, trends, and interesting products. Here are just a few of the products we're looking forward to seeing and learning more about.
Slamp, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of its collaboration with Zaha Hadid, presents a majestic lighting project ARIA INFINITA, designed by Zaha Hadid. "The partnership with Zaha Hadid was born from a brilliant intuition of Nigel Coates who was art director of Slamp at the time and a friend of the architect. He invited her to imagine a project for us. This encounter marked a very important moment for us, consolidating the dialogue with the more visionary world of contemporary architecture. ARIA INFINITA is our way of paying tribute to Zaha's revolutionary presence, her charisma, and her ability to look at things in such a radical way."
—Luca Mazza, Slamp general director
A-N-D introduces the Vector lighting series. Designed by Lucas Peet, panels are fitted together to create a slender rectilinear section, directing light to wash down its inner sloped surfaces.
BONALDO introduces the Youpi chair designed by Fabrice Berrux. Its original shape is completely covered in fabric or leather upholstery, the circular backrest flows into the large seat and is supported by a flared conical base.
MARIANTONIA URRU introduces the ORTIGU collection designed by Mario Cucinella Architects. Taking inspiration from the bark of cork (or Ortigu in Sardinian), the textiles in this rug and pillow collection use the Pibiones technique—a method of twisting thick yard around needles on the loom to create a raised effect—which give them a distinct texture.