Salone del Mobile.Milano Observatory
Global events such as Salone del Mobile.Milano have a profound impact on their host cities. Measuring that impact with rigour, consistency and a long-term perspective is the first step towards understanding it properly. The Observatory launched by Salone del Mobile.Milano was created in response to this need: to turn data and analysis into shared knowledge, serving the city, the industry, institutions and the broader design community.
Commissioned by the Salone del Mobile.Milano in partnership with the School of Design at the Politecnico di Milano, the Observatory operates year-round. Through annual reports, thematic research, events and structured dialogue with public and private stakeholders, it maps the relationships between design, economics, mobility, tourism, sustainability, cultural production and urban governance. Its purpose is to develop shared analytical tools and build a knowledge base capable of informing decisions, policies and long-term visions for the Milano Design System within an international context.
Our work
The Salone del Mobile.Milano Observatory pursues its research agenda through four complementary workstreams, each informing and reinforcing the others throughout the year.
Salone del Mobile.Milano Annual Report
Since 2024, the Observatory has published a system-wide Annual Report drawing on data, analysis andmultidisciplinary contributions to assess the impact of Milan Design Week on the city, its economy and design culture. It serves as an authoritative reference for institutions, businesses and industry professionals.
- Milan Design (Eco) System 2025 Annual Report
In this edition, the Annual Report offers a more in-depth assessment of the impact generated by Salone del Mobile.Milano and Milano Design Week on the city. New areas of focus include visitor flows based on mobile network data and the first study of Milan’s cultural and design production.
View the Report
Watch the presentation event
- Milan Design (Eco) System 2024 Annual Report
The first edition of the Salone Annual Report set out, for the first time, to map the size, dynamics and impact of Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week. The result is a snapshot of a dynamic ecosystem that transforms the city into an international capital of design each year.
View the Report
Watch the presentation event
Working Tables
The Salone del Mobile.Milano Observatory’s Working Tables bring together institutions, businesses, universities, professionals, experts and stakeholders from across the design system. To date, they have involved more than 240 participants, examining the key research themes in depth, broadening perspectives and translating data and interpretations into shared reflection on the challenges, opportunities and future scenarios shaping the Milano Design System.
Events and public encounters
The events and public programmes promoted by the Salone Observatory translate research into open platforms for discussion, debate and participation. Through formats such as Common Archive – La Notte Bianca del Progetto and Next Gen at Work. Storie di lavoro raccontate da chi lo fa, developed in collaboration with Green Design Days and Assarredo, the Observatory broadens the conversation, fostering new connections across disciplines, practices and professional generations.
Check out Common Archive
Check out Next Gen at Work
Data and methodology
The strength of the Observatory lies in its method: certified KPIs for measuring Salone del Mobile.Milano’s performance, first-hand data collected in the field on the urban dimension of Milan Design Week, collaboration with highly qualified data holders, and scientific supervision by the School of Design at the Politecnico di Milano. Methodological transparency is an integral part of every publication.
Governance
The Observatory is promoted by the Salone del Mobile.Milano and developed in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan and the Lombardy Region. Its research activities are carried out through ongoing dialogue with research centres, experts and representatives of the sector, ensuring rigour, independence and openness to contributions from the professional and academic communities.
