The edition of Isola Design Festival 2024, organized by Isola, a physical and digital platform dedicated to design, will open to the public during Milan Design Week from April 15 to April 21, 2024.
Isola Design Festival will present an evolution of its successful format by exploring new locations, such as Lampo Milano, WAO PL7, and Galleria Bonelli, never before explored during Milan Design Week. For the first time open to the public during Milan Design Week, Isola aims to transform these hidden gems of the neighborhood into new hotspots of the district. The event will look to the future of design by nurturing creativity: exhibitions, installations, events, workshops, live performances, and talks will involve over 320 international designers, design studios, creatives, and producers hosted in over 40 locations, including three main hubs.
Isola Design Festival 2024 |This Future is Currently Unavailable
The chosen annual theme for Isola Design Festival 2024 is “This Future is Currently Unavailable”
“This Future is Currently Unavailable” is not just a slogan but a point for reflection and an invitation to act. The idea originated from our numerous trips abroad to major design events, giving us a taste of the immense potential within our community. This year, Isola will be on the move again to demonstrate that design is not only about sustainability but is also the engine for addressing real-world challenges. Imagine a traveling hub of stimulating, carefully selected, and innovative initiatives. We are not just building a network; we are laying the foundation for the future of design!” – says Gabriele Cavallaro, co-founder and CEO of Isola Design Group.
To project into the future, designers must experiment by working with actors from different fields and disciplines, seeking innovative solutions, and always keeping in mind the collective impact of design on the planet and humanity. Bringing together creatives from different nationalities, the event suggests a holistic approach that transcends the boundaries and traditional prerogatives of design. Through futuristic proposals combining innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship, Isola will bring together many realities in a promising multiverse of design, showcasing the potential of the industry in the years to come.
With its annual call, Isola has invited designers to imagine how design and new craftsmanship will shape our future and that of the planet:
Some say the future has already arrived. Others say the future is unpredictable. What we can say with certainty is that the future cannot be like the present we live in today.How can we best employ the latest technologies? How can we reduce the increasingly growing issue of food and industrial waste? How can we offer a better quality of life to everyone, everywhere? How can we leverage cultural and thought differences? How can we raise public awareness about socio-political crises and help manage current ones? Design must become the bridge to shape the future and lead us to a better tomorrow. But how do you imagine it?
Last year, Isola's global community met several times at various international events, from Milan Design Week to the London Design Festival, from the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven to Tanween in Saudi Arabia, ending with the Dubai Design Week.
With the goal of connecting different cultures and countries, Isola brings various realities from the Middle and Far East to Milan. Continuing the path started in 2023 and revealing all its propulsive strength, Isola Design Festival will present collaborations with partners from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates through the exhibition “Routes to Roots” conceived for Tanween (Ithra Creativity Conference) and “Anatolia” presented for the first time in Downtown Dubai.
Isola Design Festival 2024 will consist of several focal points: three main hubs – Lampo Milano, WAO PL7, and Stecca 3.0 – and five exhibitions curated by Isola's creative team led by Elif Resitoglu (creative director of Isola Design Group) and other guest curators.
Lampo Milano is a recent urban redevelopment project spanning an area of 40,000 square meters within a historic railway yard, the Scalo Farini. The project welcomes citizens from around the world, providing space for creativity through coworking areas, cultural events, workshops, and pop-up galleries. Lampo Milano will be the setting for two main exhibitions: Isola Design Gallery will celebrate collectible design, unique projects rich in history, and contemporary products created by independent designers and design studios worldwide. The setup, thanks to polycarbonate panels and materials provided by Polipiù, will be a play of colors, lights, and transparencies in contrast with the industrial and brutalist architecture of the gallery. “Is One Life Enough?” will showcase a curated selection of collectible pieces and market-ready products made with sustainable materials and circular methods. The exhibition focuses on the boundless possibilities within human life, a product, and a material, illustrating how to breathe new life into products designed for a single lifecycle. A section within the exhibition will be dedicated to Colab, the first material library created in the United Arab Emirates. The nearly zero-impact setup of the exhibition is made possible through collaboration with Fantolino, providing recycled egg cartons as the base for pedestals, and with Kineco, creating pedestal tops using mycelium.
Isola Design Gallery | David Valner Studio | Fungus vases | Photography: Tereza Valnerova
Within the new WAO PL7 (Via Luigi Porro Lambertenghi 7), a beautiful space managed by the OneDay Group dedicated to coworking, Isola will establish a hub with various exhibition areas, both indoors and outdoors, along with several installations. The underground parking of WAO PL7 will be transformed into a workspace to host “Disclosure: Design Studios Unveiled,” where different design studios will recreate their temporary ateliers to unveil the creative process behind their products. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the designers working within the space, showcasing the versatility of their tools and the application of modern design techniques. Within the coworking area, ecoLogicStudio, an architecture and design studio specializing in biotechnologies for the built environment, will set up a temporary laboratory and workspace to showcase the PhotoSynthetica Collection. This collection includes three biophilic design products: a biotechnological air purifier, a compostable stool, and a 3D-printed jewelry made from micro-algae biomass. Architecture Hunter will present the inaugural public event of The Hunt, an immersive augmented reality experience. Nine renowned architecture studios have been carefully selected to represent nine different countries, each creating an exclusive project. Renowned names such as Kengo Kuma, Luciano Kruk, WOHA, Michel Rojkind, Yodezeen, Studio MK27, SAOTA, Fran Silvestre and 3XN offer their interpretations of the “architect's refuge.” Finally, the Italian sustainable design brand with a human touch, Hiro, will collaborate with Isola to transform the space into a temporary showroom, the Hiro Design Home. This pop-up store will showcase the finalists' prototypes from the Call for Ideas dedicated to an evergreen product, the shoe rack, interpreted in a contemporary manner.
The third hub, Stecca 3.0, a socio-cultural center in the heart of the district, will host local and international designers, artists, institutions, and experts through public talks and workshops under the overarching theme “Crafting Dialogues.” In collaboration with Constructlab, IAAD, ISIA Urbino Academy, and Nieuwe Instituut, Stecca 3.0 aims to serve as a connector for the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
Isola Design Festival 2024 Main Exhibitions
Isola Design Gallery
Features projects and designs from various studios and designers, including names like A* Alittlemore Studio, Alice Lahana Studio, Studio B L, Studio Zoran Strijbosch, and many more. Participating projects and design studios include: 16m², 1×1 systems, A* Alittlemore Studio, Aernout Langeveld, Aimee Wilder, Alexandre Delasalle, Alice Lahana Studio, Andrei Clontea STUDIO, Apol Objects, Atelier Iris Nijenhuis, Bang, Binary Ceramics, Boi, Catherine van Bijnen, Chenchen Du, Ciro Timmers, Clémence Birot, Comma, x B&T, Comuna Mx +AD2, Crio, Dace Sūna, Daniela Deluca, David Valner Studio, Demehico, Design Shades, Elizabeth Vasquez /Pollen Studio, Elli Design, Engi Jaouda, Estúdio Carmine, Evangelion Studio, FiliPista, Floriane Bande, FONTANI (STUDIO F), Form&seek, Giorgio Bena, Harshita Jhamtani Designs, Heiko Bauer, Henri Texier, In2Green, Inge Simonis, Janneke de Lange, Jimmy Rojas, Jisk Lindeboom, Julia Chiaramonti, Konos Studio, Lamiss Akar, Length Breadth Height, Leo Achard, LTU CoAD, Luis Gimeno Design, Maayan Kipnis, Marina Studio Design, Mati sipiora, maxz, Mijali Posada, miriampryka, MLK Furniture, Moon Rabbit Adaptive Lab, Nils Sorger, Noiro Studio, NOSTUDIO, OHM studio, Pablo Octavio, Philipp Aduatz, Phlox, Quasidesign Studio, Ralf Gloudemans, Rampinelli Edizioni, Richa Gujadhur, Ritsert Mans, Roc H Biel, Ryoji Takahashi / VITRO, RYOSUKE AKAGI DESIGN, Saudade Collective, Sien Entus, Slightly Abstract By Sanjeet Gadkari, Structural-aspect, Studio B L, Studio Floris Meijer, Studio Kája, Studio Madeleine Scholtes, Studio Mau Mau, Studio Sospeso, Studio Zoran Strijbosch, Supapo Criativo, SvenJansse, Taftique, Tanay Kandpal, Triple Bottom Line, Tsubasa Koshide, White Studios, Woven Memories, Ya Phygital Fabrica, Yet Design Studio, Yif Design, Yufei Gao, Yuoning Chien, Yury Goncharov.
Isola Design Gallery| White Studios | Zoi collection | Credits: White Studios
Is One Life Enough?
Highlights a curated selection of collectible pieces and market-ready products with a focus on sustainability. Participating designers include: Albin Karlsson, altered artifacts, Austeja Platukyte, BlueCycle, Daniyar Uderbekov, Dario Erkelens, Emma Johann, Eugene Shon / ARTL, Eva Ausmann, Heiko Bauer, Interesting Times Gang, Krill Design, Lu Shenhuan & Fan Runming & Liu Yutong, Mariekke Jansen, matterpieces, Mushlume Lighting, Natalie Pichler, Oiamo, Piece of Cake, POLIMAIR, Prostor Studio, Sabrina Merayo Nuñez, Senzaquadro®, Shaghayegh Ranjbar, SiyuLiu, Studio Jean Louis Noël, Studio Samira Boon, Tatiana Skorodumova, Vincentius Aldi Masella / owalla, Wknd Lab, Yu Watanabe.
Is One Life Enough | Yu Watanabe_Radiance of Nature with Urushi | Credits: Shinji Yagi, Yoshihiro Ozaki, Yu Watanabe
Architecture Hunter
Architecture Hunter will present the first public event of The Hunt, the immersive augmented reality experience. Nine renowned architecture firms were carefully selected to represent nine different countries, each of which created an exclusive project. Famous names such as Kengo Kuma, WOHA, 3XN and Marcio Kogan (MK27)offer their interpretations of the “architect's refuge”.
ENHANCE – Design for Social Impact
A section curated by Juan Torres for DesignWanted, focusing on design initiatives with a positive impact on society. Participating designers include Cheuk Laam Wong, Fucina Frammenti, Nick Geiper & Charlotte Von Ravenstein, Pavels Hedström, and Rehub.
Dutch Corner
A section supported by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Milan, showcasing contemporary Dutch design. Participating designers include Albin Karlsson, Heiko Bauer, Studio Jean Louis Noël, and others.
Pop-Up Design Store and Media Corner
In collaboration with L'Essenziale Studio and HeyCrates, Isola will host a Pop-Up Design Store where visitors can purchase small design pieces and products. L'Essenziale Studio will also create a Media Corner in collaboration with DesignWanted.
Isola x IAMMI Collaboration
IAMMI will design a background for Talks and Panel Discussions, as well as an installation titled “LIKE A ROCK,” emphasizing sustainability using eco-friendly materials.
Installations at Lampo Milano
Various installations, including “Always Welcome Agile ‘HUT' Project” by Circular Squared, “Blueground” by ASA & Alberto Vallesi Design Studio x La Pietra Compattata, “Senziente” by Jonathan Bocca, and “The Future Will be Sown” by Made in Earth Collective.
Disclosure: Design Studios Unveiled
Within WAO PL7, Isola will create an exhibition space where different design studios will recreate their temporary ateliers, providing insights into their creative processes. Participating studios include Heilig Objects, Roni Collective, and Shailesh Rajput Studio.
Galleria Bonelli
Isola will host two exhibitions, “Anatolia” and “Routes to Roots,” featuring designs inspired by the ancient crossroads of civilizations and highlighting creativity from the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Asia.
New Craft (SHOP)
Next to Isola, institutions, academies, collectives, and design studios will be present to engage visitors with numerous interventions spread throughout the Isola Design District. Spanning across the neighborhood, Isola activates a network of locations, bringing together different design initiatives through strategically selected places connecting the three main hubs.
Around the Table curated by Masquespacio, located at Via Luigi Porro Lambertenghi 3. The Spanish studio will reveal an installation related to the world of tableware and lounge design. It transforms from a daytime exhibition to a private space for dinners with VIP guests, press, journalists, influencers, and architects at night. The installation will showcase unique tools by Macaroni Event used during interactive dinners. In collaboration with Dinner Conversations, Isola will host an exclusive dinner to create new connections among prominent figures in the design world. The event is realized in collaboration with RBSGROUP Italia. By arakawagrip by Arakawa & Co at Zona K in Via Spalato 11. Three exhibitions related to Arakawa will bring the works of 16 Japanese designers to Milan. Exhibitions include Arakawa Grip's Golden Library celebrating the brand's 50th anniversary, New Normal New Standard 4 – The Japanese Maison presenting the interaction between founders and young successors of family-owned businesses, and COMPOSITION by Kairi Eguchi featuring seven designers' works created using Arakawa Grip, inspired by phenomenology and fluctuation. Convey, The New Wave of Design Companies at Basic Village in Via dell'Aprica 12. With over 1000 sqm dedicated to presenting new products, setups, and activities, Convey connects contemporary brands and prominent figures to accelerate their growth, creating opportunities and promoting shared values to contribute to the construction of the new international design scenario. OATLY! Pop-up – Designed For Humans at Via Confalonieri 11. For the first time in Italy, an installation curated by Joris Verstrepen from the globally known brand for its oat-based products. New Craft (SHOP) at Via Guglielmo Pepe 16. An exhibition by the artisanal brand Shinkogeisha demonstrating how 3D printers can transform resin into common materials, giving rise to new resin products through the “trial and error” creative process. SOLIDIFIED, meaningful manifestations at Studio Via Farini in Via Farini 35. This exhibition will present products where materialization and the production method (craftsmanship) are essential. Tangible products that counteract an ephemeral world and evoke the senses. Size 100 by Design Soil at Via Pastrengo 5. A collection of furnishings with products fitting into a package with a total size of 100 cm. Products that become “souvenirs” of the size of international hand luggage. Urban Jungle Experience by Monkey 47 at Via Confalonieri 21. An olfactory and immersive installation in the urban jungle transporting visitors to the heart of the Black Forest. Created with materials from the leading Portuguese cork brand GENCORK, the installation will stimulate the senses, allowing guests to experience the aromatic botanicals of Monkey 47 gin. We Were Here curated by designers Jiin Yoon and Joris Verstrepen, at Via Cola Montano 13. A showcase of ingenuity leaving lasting marks through form and function, shaping the canvas of time. WORTH Exhibition at Bottega Immagine in Via Carlo Farini 60. A exhibition designed and organized by the multidisciplinary design studio Tellurico, presenting 70 projects developed as part of the WORTH Project, the largest European creative incubator dedicated to promoting transnational collaborations between designers, creatives, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and technology companies.
