Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
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08 APR – 13 APR
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09:00 – 18:00
Talks, round tables, masterclasses, and workshops with the participation of internationally renowned professionals.
Discover the complete program
In conversation with Es Devlin
Partecipa:
Es Devlin, Artista
in conversation with Sarah Douglas, Consultant, Advisor e Design Agent
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Arena Drafting Futures by Formafantasma
Fiera Milano, Rho – Pavilion 14
In conversation with Valeria Segovia
Designing a New Tomorrow
The future of buildings hinges on how we define great design. It’s time to shift our perspective—not just valuing materials that come straight from the earth, but celebrating those that have lived past lives, transformed and repurposed for a new era. Reused and recycled materials carry an inherent beauty, rich with history, while biomaterials—literally alive with potential—offer groundbreaking opportunities for innovation in the construction industry. Every layer of a building’s past deepens its story, creating spaces imbued with meaning and connection. In many ways, the “new” new build is made from old parts, reimagined for a future that embraces sustainability and creativity.
The Talks are recognised by the Italian National Order of Architects (CNAPPC − National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators) as accredited educational initiatives, each one of which will therefore be worth 2 credits. To ensure credit recognition, pre-registration to the following form is recommended: FORM.
Thursday 09 April
11.00 a.m., in English
Participants: Valeria Segovia, Principal, Design Director Gensler London
in conversation with Massimo De Conti, Architect, Journalist
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Arena Drafting Futures by Formafantasma
Fiera Milano, Rho – Pavilion 14
Round Table: Manufacturing excellence and Italian Style around the world
Manufacturing excellence and Italian Style around the world: comparing experiences for growth on international markets
Italian design, a reflection of Italian quality and beauty, creates connections with other Italian supply chains, promoting the spread of ‘Made in Italy’ products all over the world, while boosting both GDP and employment. This example of industrial and manufacturing integration, which has no equal anywhere in the world, has been a key factor in our country’s growth at an international level.
Partecipants:
Stefania Trenti, Head of Industry & Local Economies Research Department Intesa Sanpaolo
Fiorenzo Bandecchi, President Yachtline 1618
Sabrina Berini, Export Manager DEA
Luigi Passera, CEO Lario Hotels
Alexander M. Bellman, Architect
Maurizio Riva, President and CEO Riva1920
Anna Roscio, Executive Director Sales & Marketing Imprese Intesa Sanpaolo
Modera Giusi Legrenzi, Journalist and Radio Speaker RTL 102.5
Curated by Intesa Sanpaolo
Drafting Futures.
Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Drafting Futures Arena by Formafantasma Fiera Milano, Rho – Pav. 14
Round Table: The Business of Design
“The Business of Design: Global Perspectives on Trade, E-Commerce, and Distribution” is the title of the Round Table. With contributions from authoritative voices, it explores the crucial challenges and opportunities of an increasingly global industry, providing an overview of how it is being shaped by international trade, e-commerce and distribution strategies.
Wednesday 9 April
4.00 p.m., in English
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Arena Drafting Futures by Formafantasma
Fiera Milano, Rho – Pavilion 14
In conversation with Bjarke Ingels
As cities rapidly transform, Bjarke Ingels’ architectural vision redefines the relationship between space, materiality, and interaction, echoing Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology. In Phenomenology of Perception, he posits that space is a lived experience, shaped through movement, matter, and sensory perception. We do not merely inhabit the world—we engage with it in an embodied, dynamic way. In Ingels’ architecture, this idea manifests in urban spaces that transcend functionality, becoming environments that actively shape experience. Through material experimentation—from the structural solidity of brick to the fluidity of light—and the integration of technology, his work transforms built space into an immersive, interactive organism. Rather than static constructs, his spaces evolve as arenas of play, relationship, and perception. In conversation with Oliva Sartogo, Ingels will explore these themes at Salone del Mobile 2025, reflecting on how materiality, technology, and human interaction can redefine the future of urban design.
Thursday 10th April
11 am, in English
Bjarke Ingels, Architect, Founder and Creative Partner Bjarke Ingels Group
in conversation with Oliva Sartogo, Co-Founder & Architect Lead VIV Arts
The Talks are recognised by the Italian National Order of Architects (CNAPPC − National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators) as accredited educational initiatives, each one of which will therefore be worth 2 credits. To ensure credit recognition, pre-registration to the following form is recommended: FORM.
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Drafting Futures Arena by Formafantasma
Fiera Milano, Rho – Pav. 14
Ph. REFORM Sofie Mathiassen
Round Table: The Business of Hospitality
The roundtable “The Business of Hospitality: Where Design Meets Functionality” explores the interplay between aesthetics and functionality in determining success in the hospitality industry. With an eye on innovations in the sector and the theme of sustainability, the meeting analyzes the role of design as an instrument and enabler to improve and respond to the needs of contemporary travelers.
Thursday 10 April
4.00 p.m., in English
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Arena Drafting Futures by Formafantasma
Fiera Milano, Rho – Pavilion 14
In conversation with Lesley Lokko
The talk by Lesley Lokko, founder of the African Futures Institute and curator of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, explores the rapid process of urbanization in Africa and the challenges that this entails in terms of education, sustainability and social innovation. The event aims to analyze the structural deficiencies in architecture and urban planning on the African continent, with an emphasis on the need to develop professional, conceptual and technical skills to deal with the changes taking place. One of the main objectives is to highlight the potential of Africa’s young population as an asset for the global future. With a significantly lower average age than Europe and the United States, the continent’s human capital represents an unexplored source of creativity and innovation. The talk calls for reflection on how it is possible to draw on this energy to rethink architectural and urban planning practices in more sustainable and equitable ways. Finally, Lokko proposes a change of perspective: it is not a question of teaching Africa how to adapt to global standards, but of understanding if and how the world can draw inspiration from situations often considered marginal, yet potentially the bearers of innovative solutions for the future.
The Talks are recognised by the Italian National Order of Architects (CNAPPC − National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators) as accredited educational initiatives, each one of which will therefore be worth 2 credits. To ensure credit recognition, pre-registration to the following form is recommended: FORM.
Friday 11th April
11 am, in English
Lesley Lokko, Founder, Chair African Futures Institute
in conversation with Manuela Lucà-Dazio, Executive Director The Pritzker Architecture Prize
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Arena Drafting Futures by Formafantasma
Fiera Milano, Rho – Pavilion 14
Discover more, in the interview with Lesley Lokko
Ph. Alix McIntosh
In conversation with Paolo Sorrentino
The talk by Paolo Sorrentino, moderated by the journalist Antonio Monda, aims to analyze the creative and production processes of auteur cinema, through the experience and poetics of one of the most influential contemporary filmmakers. The encounter presents a reflection in depth on the narrative and stylistic dynamics that characterize Sorrentino’s cinema, with a focus on the construction of the image, the direction of the actors and the writing of films. Through an analytical and methodological approach, participants have the opportunity to acquire tools to understand the language of cinema and the relationship between aesthetic form and narrative content. The talk focuses on the evolution of his style, from his debut to his most recent works, highlighting the dialogue between cinema and other art forms. In addition, the subject of investigation is the recurrent themes of his filmography, such as memory, identity and the representation of power. The educational objective is to provide participants with a critical key to interpret Sorrentino’s cinema, developing a sensibility towards the visual and narrative language.
The Talks are recognised by the Italian National Order of Architects (CNAPPC − National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators) as accredited educational initiatives, each one of which will therefore be worth 2 credits. To ensure credit recognition, pre-registration to the following form is recommended: FORM.
Saturday 12th April
11 am, in Italian
Paolo Sorrentino, Oscar Winner Filmmaker
in conversation with Antonio Monda, Journalist
Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives
Curated by Annalisa Rosso
Arena Drafting Futures by Formafantasma
Fiera Milano, Rho – Pavilion 14
Ph. Michael Avedon