The Porta Venezia Design District’s 2025 edition of Milan Design Week is poised to be a groundbreaking celebration of creativity, innovation, and the dissolution of boundaries. Inspired by the visionary Eileen Gray, a pioneering figure in industrial design and architecture, the event will explore the theme of "No Boundaries," a concept that challenges conventional norms and fosters a deeper connection between art, design, and the human experience. Gray, known for her independence, unique style, and commitment to authenticity, serves as the spiritual anchor of this year’s program. Her philosophy of questioning everything to create something meaningful resonates throughout the event, which seeks to redefine the role of the contemporary designer as a storyteller, explorer, and inventor of hybrid spaces.
From April 7 to 13, 2025, the district will transform into a vibrant hub of exhibitions, installations, and events that blur the lines between the physical and digital, the past and the present, and the boundaries of art and design. The program is designed to provoke radical questioning and unlock the tension between what exists and what could exist. One of the standout exhibitions is POETICA, a collaboration between WonderGlass and Calico Wallpaper, housed in the historic Istituto dei Ciechi. This installation is a mesmerizing fusion of craftsmanship, materiality, and poetry, where glass and paper become vessels for memory and imagination. The dreamlike space invites visitors to experience the fluidity of creation and perception, as objects shift and boundaries reveal and conceal themselves. WonderGlass, known for its innovative approach to glassmaking, and Calico Wallpaper, celebrated for its custom-fit, non-repeating murals, bring their unique expertise to this project, creating a story-in-the-making that transcends traditional design norms.
Another highlight of the event is Two-Fold Silence, a solo exhibition by Milan-based design brand 6:AM. Led by the creative duo Edoardo Pandolfo and Francesco Palù, the brand will transform the historic former public bathrooms of Piscina Cozzi into a space of discovery. This site-specific installation will feature a mix of past and new works, including lighting and object collections, showcasing how tradition and innovation can coexist. The space will serve as a testament to the power of creativity in reimagining abandoned places and fostering a dialogue between past and present. Meanwhile, Convey, an international design platform, will launch its third edition with a brand new location in the heart of Porta Venezia. Curated by Simple Flair, the event will introduce the concept of guest designers, expanding its curatorship beyond brands. Among the highlights is the European debut of New York-based design studio Sunfish, which will showcase its self-produced furniture collection. Convey’s mission to promote shared values and connect contemporary design brands with key players in the industry will take center stage, offering a platform for discovery and collaboration.
DEORON, a digital platform known for its curation of avant-garde design, will make its physical debut with ELEVATING OBJECTS. This exhibition will bring together more than 40 international design brands, merging furniture, lighting, home decor, and tech into a cohesive showcase of aesthetic innovation. The event will feature a custom-made artisanal sound system, reinforcing the idea that design is not just visual but also sensory. Quality and innovation are at the heart of this exhibition, which seeks to elevate the boundaries of design. Meanwhile, Wittmann, the Austrian furniture brand, will celebrate its 130-year legacy with Cultivating Comfort, an immersive retrospective at the picturesque Maria Calderara space. The exhibition will highlight Wittmann’s commitment to handmade precision and comfort, featuring works by esteemed designers Jaime Hayon, Sebastian Herkner, and Federica Biasi. The brand’s dedication to blending traditional techniques with contemporary innovation will be on full display, offering a journey through its rich history and creative milestones.
The sensory experience continues with SENSES, a collaboration between IAMMI and Materia Studio. This exhibition, housed in MelzoDodici, will transform visitors into protagonists of an engaging narrative. Through a sophisticated interplay of light and shadow, tactile contrasts, and audiovisual elements, the space will come alive with symbolic objects that invite exploration and reflection. Each piece is designed to evoke a sense of wonder, creating a memorable journey of intense sensoriality. GROHE, a global leader in bathroom and kitchen solutions, will also make a splash with its Aqua Atelier at Milan’s Garden Senato. This immersive exhibition will explore the relationship between humans, water, and the environment, featuring functional products and crafted artifacts that inspire meaningful interactions. Visitors will have the opportunity to reflect on water’s role in our lives and contribute to the creation of an Aqua Poem. The event will also highlight GROHE’s commitment to environmental responsibility, with an Aqua Bar constructed from recycled bottles to raise awareness about water pollution.
Finally, USM will unveil Connected by Our Dreams, an exhibition that embodies the brand’s playful yet versatile spirit. Located at Viale Piave 27, the space will feature five immersive environments that invite visitors to engage with USM’s new modular product through color, scale, sound, and texture. The exhibition will challenge perceptions of modularity, offering a dreamlike experience that provokes new ways of thinking about design. Over six decades, USM has redefined modularity, making it timeless and sustainable, and this event promises to be a testament to its enduring legacy. As the Porta Venezia Design District enters a new chapter, it does so with a dynamic ecosystem of ideas, voices, and creative visions. Through its No Boundaries Design manifesto, the event captures the essence of Eileen Gray’s philosophy, reminding us that objects, spaces, and users are never static. The district’s 2025 edition is not just a celebration of design but a call to action—to question, explore, and create without boundaries.
