Salone del Mobile 2018: must-see exhibitions and installations


One of the biggest design events in the world, Salone del Mobile.Milano, begins on the 17th of April. In the lead up to this week-long event, DesignCurial share our must see exhibitions and installations at Salone del Mobile for 2018.


Words by Sam Forsdick

Taking place from the 17th to 22nd of April, the Salone del Mobile.Milano - or Milan Furniture Fair - is back for 2018. The most keenly awaited international event for the furnishing and design sectors, Salone del Mobile is once again showcasing design excellence, quality and innovation, celebratiing the latest design trends and innovations.

This year, over 2000 exhibitors will be promoting their various products to over 300,000 visitors and journalists. The vast array of exhibits give glimpses into the future of home design and outdoor space. Underneath the larger Fair are also various smaller events, including the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, EuroCucina (the world's benchmark kitchen sector event), the International Bathroom Exhibition.

With so much to see and do at the week-long event, DesignCurial has put together a preview, listing some of the must-see exhibitions and installations at Salone del Mobile 2018:

Hidden Garden

Florence-based architecture studio, Pierattelli Architetture, have teamed up with Flos, Vitra, Porcelanosa Grupo, Gruppo Giardini, Bruni Costruttori, and Flamingo Firenze to work on a new concept for an urban green space. The Hidden Garden looks inconspicuous from the outside – merely four panels blocking off 100msq of a pedestrianised part of Milan. However, on the inside, the space transforms into an infinite garden where mirrors and reflections are used to give the illusion of a much larger area.

The aim was to create an oasis within the bustling city centre, where people can escape and rediscover the pleasure of walking in the park. Visitors are encouraged to decorate the outer walls - which should be considered a blank canvas for artists who wish to express their creativity. The walls will be cleaned every 24 hours, allowing new artists to contribute their own work each day.

Find the Hidden Garden at the Piazza Gae Aulenti

Typecasting Exhibition with the Vitra Design Museum

For the week of Salone del Mobile, the Vitra design museum is displaying over 200 iconic and forgotten objects that have impacted society. Covering a 20-year period, the Typecasting exhibition promises to offer a new perspective on furniture design and its role in society.

Curated by designer Robert Stadler, the exhibition uses the unusual concept of grouping items together by their characteristics; Stadler says he sees human attributes in each of the pieces including frugality, vanity and restlessness. The Austrian designer hopes that this will allow people question the function of furniture in modern society and will inspire people to look at design in new ways.

Find the Typecasting Exhibition at La Pelota, Via Palermo

Wewood and WOHAbeing Collaboration

The first ever partnership between the Wewood, the Portuguese purveyors of wooden furniture, and Singapore architectural firm WOHA will be on show in Milan this year. WOHA launched their design brand, WOHAbeing, at the end of 2017 and this new furniture range in collaboration with Wewood is one of their first projects.

The unique collaboration has produced a range of furniture solutions such as an easy chair, lamp, and matching side-table. Salvador Gonzaga, the CEO of Wewood, believes that both parties complement each other well and can introduce each brand to new markets.            

Find the collaboration in Hall 6 - Stand D43   

Margraf Marble

With over a century of experience in working with marble, Margraf's expertise has previously been used for projects within hotels, airports and business centres - including Canary Wharf in London, and the World Financial Center in New York. During Salone del Mobile, the Italian marble masons will be showing off their new range for the home.


Image: Margraf

The collection includes floor and wall tiles, mosaics, tubs, shower trays, washbasins, countertops, shelves and kitchen sinks. Each marble item has been quarried and designed by the Margraf team and can transform any domestic environment - or hotel wellness area - into a place of refinement and luxury.

Find Margraf in Hall 2 - Stand F33

Carl Hansen and Son

During Salone del Mobile Carl Hansen and Son will present a collection that draws its inspiration from some of the greatest designers of contemporary furniture. Their collection of Danish furniture classics takes some of the most influential Scandinavian designs, bringing them up to date through the use of new materials and modern techniques.

The furniture series that Carl Hansen and Son will be showcasing at the event include modern takes on Poul Kjærholm’s PK1 chair; Børge Mogensen’s Hunting Table; Kaare Klint’s sofa; and Arne Jacobsen’s Society Table. In order to re-release these timeless furniture pieces, Carl Hansen and Son have worked with the impressive list of designers from Denmark’s golden age, and their families - with such a strong heritage, this is a collection that shouldn't be missed.

Find Carl Hansen and Son in Hall 5 - Stand D10

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