Exhibitions
In the exhibition design imagined by Formafantasma, international galleries, historic factories and companies specializing in unique craft skills tell their stories, each in their own way. Some display their know-how, others shift the focus back on the masters of the 20th century, while yet others call on contemporary artists and designers to collaborate
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives, Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026
The programme of Talks at the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 will bring together architecture, design, and industry to interpret the transformations of the present. From the first edition of the Salone Contract Forum, coordinated by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten (OMA), to international conversations and panels, right through to events designed for the weekend public: an initial selection of speakers, disciplines and visions to interpret the present
The cultural programme of the Salone del Mobile.Milano has evolved over time into an autonomous infrastructure for the production of meaning: a platform where the culture of design — understood as an interpretative, critical and forward-looking practice — becomes the common thread through which different disciplines converge to interpret the transformations taking place. The various fields that the programme brings together do not merely frame the exhibition, but serve as a tool to expand and orient it. It was this vision that led to the creation, four years ago, of Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives, curated by Annalisa Rosso, Editorial and Cultural Director-Advisor, based in the Drafting Futures Arena by Formafantasma, Rho Fiera Milano, Pavilion 14.
The first edition of Salone Contract Forum
As the beating heart of the Public Programme in Pad. 14, the Drafting Futures Arena will host Salone Contract Forum, developed in collaboration with OMA, opens with welcome by Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano and introduction by David Gianotten, Managing Partner – Architect at OMA. A structured reflection on the changes happening in the Contract sector on April 22nd. The opening event will be Contract Sector Opportunities in a Transforming Industry, moderated by Ed Stocker, Europe Editor at Large for Monocle. In the afternoon: a Masterclass by OMA’s founder, Lecture by Rem Koolhaas: Current Preoccupations, followed by an introduction and presentation of the Salone Contract Masterplan by Maria Porro and David Gianotten. The session will wrap up with the Common Ground Among the Pillars of the Contract Ecosystem roundtable, moderated by Christele Harrouk, Editor-in-Chief of ArchDaily.
The programme for Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
This year the programme of talks and conversations curated by Annalisa Rosso, Editorial and Cultural Director, Advisor at Salone del Mobile.Milano, is in its fourth edition. On April 23rd, Tosin Oshinowo, Nigerian architect, designer and creative entrepreneur, will introduce a critical perspective on African architecture and urban planning. Followed by Book Singning. David Barragán, co-founder of Ecuadorian studio Al Borde, will add to the schedule for April 24th his point of view rooted in South American architecture practice. Followed by Book Signing.
In addition to these, there will be round-table discussions: Arab Design Now: Networks of Making, Networks of Meaning; ITALIAN FURNITURE AND DESIGN. The role of finance in sustaining the sector's global excellence; The value of Italian Design and the strength of supply chains facing new economic and geopolitical challenges; Two Speeds of Design. Between Scale and Singularity.
The weekend will be dedicated to two events that are perfect for design lovers: on Saturday, April 25th, a performance by Matteo Caccia, curated by Rivista Studio, Casa – Luogo – Sentimento (Home – Place – Feeling); on Sunday, April 26th, a meeting with radio host La Pina, in collaboration with Radio Deejay.
Architects registered with CNAPPC (the Italian National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators) are entitled to 2 CPD credits: please complete the form to register and initiate the accreditation process. Training credits will be awarded exclusively to participants who have signed the attendance register on site.
Special projects
For the 64th edition of the Salone del Mobile, Maison Numéro 20, the Parisian agency founded by Oscar Lucien Ono, designs an immersive narrative installation that rewrites the codes of luxury and hospitality as a theatrical and sensory experience. At the Salone del Mobile.Milano, design is also a tool for interpreting the times. It is from this standpoint that ABITO, the exhibition promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and curated by Palomba Serafini Associati. In its role as a platform for contemporary projects, the Salone will also be hosting the Ministry of Culture with the exhibition MADE IN MiC, the centrepiece of which will be the Archetipi section. In addition to this, there is THE CHAIN OF WONDERS: an exhibition celebrating the history and identity of FederlegnoArredo, edited by Beppe Finessi.
The cultural programme of SaloneSatellite
Once again, SaloneSatellite will shine a spotlight on the most experimental frontiers of design, with over 700 designers under 35 and 22 Design Schools and Universities from around the world. The 15th edition of the SaloneSatellite Award will take place on 22 April at 12:30. This will be followed on 23 April by the talks Where and how does good design come about? and Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation.
Next Gen at Work. Stories of Work Told by Those Who Do It
As part of the 64th edition, on Friday 24 April, Next Gen at Work is a new project dedicated to the younger generation, created to bridge the gap between students and the world of work within the design and furniture supply chain.
Salone all across the city
On April 24th, Common Archive – The White Night of Design – an initiative curated by the Salone del Mobile.Milano Observatory, with support from the Lombardy Region and the City of Milan – will bring to life an event spread across multiple locations in the city. For one night, and for the first time together, Milan’s design and architecture historical archives will open to the public for over 50 guided tours and talks.
From April 17th to 26th, Design Kiosk returns to Piazza della Scala with a series of conversations dedicated to emerging independent publishing, curated by Reading Room. Meanwhile, thanks to a collaboration with K-Way for the Fair, a newsstand in Piazza Sant’Eustorgio turns into the starting point of an urban itinerary defined by Bianca Felicori, founder of Forgotten Architecture, touching on five emblematic examples of 20th-century architecture. Finally, Salone also includes Salone in the City, a new print and digital guide dedicated to Milan.
