Impressions from Milan Design Week 2026
Impressions from Milan Design Week 2026
From 20 to 26 April 2026, Milan once again became the stage for Milan Design Week. Gira was there together with the BERÜHRUNGSPUNKTE communication initiative and partner brands TRILUX and KEUCO.
Milan Design Week has long been a must-attend event for anyone passionate about architecture, interior design and product design. Every spring, visitors flock to Milan to find inspiration from showrooms, installations and exhibitions. Yet the event is not just about individual innovations, but about the bigger picture: Which materials will shape the years ahead? What colours, shapes and design philosophies are gaining momentum? And how do spaces change when technology, craftsmanship and design are conceived together?
For one week, the entire city becomes a stage for new ideas, exciting projects and every facet of design – a perfect blend of dolce vita and everything that design fans could wish for.
Two formats, one Design Week
Milan Design Week brings together two key formats. First, there is Salone del Mobile, the international furniture fair at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition centre, which takes place every other year alternating with Euroluce. Many brands use it to showcase their latest products. The other key format is Fuorisalone, which brings installations, exhibitions, talks and brand experiences to the city itself, spread around showrooms, courtyards and temporary venues. Many of the most popular spots are concentrated in areas such as Brera, Tortona, 5VIE and Isola, where exhibitions, installations and showrooms make Milan feel like an immersive, walk-in design exhibition.
“Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week are important global platforms for innovation, architecture and design. We at Gira are therefore all the more delighted to have taken part in this unique event for the first time, together with our BERÜHRUNGSPUNKTE partners KEUCO and TRILUX. Our presence there convincingly demonstrated how modern design, intelligent connectivity and the Gira Smart Home can be combined to create holistic living environments. What pleased us most was the tremendous interest shown by the architects and designers from around the world who we met in Milan to share our vision of connected living and sophisticated design.
”
Head of Gira Italy
Good design and Vitruvius's theory of architecture
Ultimately, the same questions always arise: What defines good design? What makes a good product?
As early as the 1st century BC, the Roman architectural theorist Vitruvius formulated three principles that remain the benchmark for good architecture and design: firmitas (durability), utilitas (functionality) and venustas (beauty). In Milan, we demonstrated how these guiding principles continue to shape our approach to product development.
With #VITRUVapproved, we joined forces with KEUCO and TRILUX to create a Fuorisalone showroom in the Brera Design District dedicated to various perspectives on timeless design. Instead of a traditional product presentation, the focus was on dialogue. The international character of the audience particularly stood out. It was precisely this dialogue that made the week so special: inspiring conversations, new contacts and a concept that truly came to life.
Our specially created Vitruvius statue also helped extend the concept beyond the showroom itself. We presented the figurines to selected architects as a physical reminder of the three guiding principles of firmitas, utilitas and venustas. Many of the figurines then embarked on a journey of their own, reappearing for photo opportunities at various locations during Milan Design Week and creating a visual trail through the city that furthered the #VITRUVapproved concept. The journey even led to Bar Basso – the gathering spot where the community winds down every evening after a busy day at Design Week.
“We would like to thank everyone who visited our showroom, asked questions and shared their points of view with us. The many encounters and conversations showed how much interest there is in good, enduring design. We are taking away a wealth of inspiration from Milan and look forward to continuing the dialogue beyond Design Week.
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Architecture Media Manager at Gira
For further insights into the Fuorisalone at this year’s Milan Design Week:
Milan Design Week has long been a must for anyone passionate about architecture, interiors, and product design. Every spring, visitors flock to Milan to find inspiration in showrooms and exhibitions. Among them are ArchitekturSCOUTS Sandra and Leo, who take a closer look at several installations as well as the showroom of Gira, KEUCO, and TRILUX in the Brera Design District.
Auch bei einem weiteren Tag auf dem Fuorisalone der Milan Design Week 2026 nehmen uns die ArchitekturSCOUTS wieder mit zu den spannendsten Ausstellungen. Wie wichtig der Kontext ist, in dem Architektur und Kunst hier ineinandergreifen und einen Raum schaffen, in dem Atmosphäre und Begegnung kreiert wird, erfahren wir in Interviews mit den kreativen Köpfen hinter den Installationen.