Patrick Abbattista Highlights 10 Notable Projects at Milan Design Week 2026

Patrick Abbattista of DesignWanted has selected ten significant projects for Milan Design Week 2026, emphasizing a shift toward critical materiality and contextualization. The list includes a collaboration between Swiss modular system USM and Norwegian studio Snøhetta titled 'Renaissance of the Real' at Fondazione Luigi Rovati, exploring physical experience in a digital age. Alcova presents two sites: the former Military Hospital in Baggio, featuring site-specific installations by 120 international talents, and Villa Pestarini, a private Franco Albini residence opening to the public. At Palazzo Litta, 'MoscaPartners Variations' focuses on spatial metamorphosis with an intervention by architect Lina Ghotmeh. Masterly, curated by Lidewij Edelkoort at Palazzo dei Giureconsulti, showcases ten years of emerging Dutch talent. DEORON gathers over 50 international designers in an industrial space in the Porta Venezia Design District. 6AM's 'Over and Over and Over and Over' at Piscina Romano uses repetition in glass to create spatial experiences. Gaggenau's 'Presence' at Villa Necchi Campiglio concludes a trilogy on appliance design through subtraction. 'Polish Modernism – A Struggle for Beauty,' curated by Federica Sala and Anna Maga at Torre Velasca, examines design as cultural resistance. Rick Tegelaar's 'OASIS' at Viale Abruzzi presents process-oriented design with moving objects and immersive elements. These projects reflect broader trends in contemporary design, including hybrid formats, experimental materials, and engagement with historical contexts.