Design Week Blooms in Portanuova
Are you ready to let imperfection bloom? From April 16 to 26, on the occasion of Milan Design Week 2026, Portanuova transforms into an open-air laboratory where design goes beyond aesthetics and becomes an invitation to connect. With the project Blooming Imperfection – Relationships in Progress, the district turns into the stage for a collective experience that celebrates flaws and incompleteness as essential parts of beauty and human connection.
Let yourself be guided along a sensory journey: for the first time, Andrea Olivari’s works bring into the physical world a poetic language usually confined to the screen. An iconic triptych lays bare the heart, stomach, and brain to reveal who we truly are.
But don’t just observe—interact. Scan the QR code next to each artwork to generate your own personalized version of the installation, building a bridge between the physical and digital worlds. Meanwhile, the emotional voice-over curated by Gabriele Agostinelli will transform your walk into a deep, immersive audio experience. And if you feel like taking part, stop by the photo corners, capture your moment, and share it by tagging @portanuovamilano: every space is designed to be experienced together.
The dialogue between art and people continues at Piazza Gae Aulenti 12, where the project’s themes are explored through a series of talks developed in collaboration with Chora Media. Experts and well-known voices such as Alessandro Cattelan, Professor Umberto Galimberti, Cronache di Spogliatoio, and other guests—including content creators and authors from Chora Media and Will—will discuss mental well-being and contemporary relationships:
Thursday, April 16, 6:30 PM: Andrea Olivari (Artist) with Camilla Ferrario
Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 PM: Riccardo Haupt (CEO, Chora & Will) with Riccardo Bassetto
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 PM: Prof. Umberto Galimberti (Philosopher and Psychoanalyst) with Silvia Bombino
Thursday, April 23, 6:30 PM: Chiara Piotto (Journalist) with Camilla Ferrario
Friday, April 24, 6:30 PM: Cronache di Spogliatoio with Fontana di Trevi
Saturday, April 25, 6:30 PM: Gabriele Agostinelli with Ilaria Ferraresi
Sunday, April 26, 6:30 PM: Alessandro Cattelan with Carlotta Notarpietro
The experience then becomes a matter of taste in Piazza Alvar Aalto. At the Flower Bar—a space curated by Alea, where design and sustainability become part of the experience—you can stop for lunch and enjoy a moment of pause designed to be shared, with a food offering by Casaburi. This is also where the social table comes to life: one large communal table that invites connection and turns a meal into conversation. Before you leave, take a piece of this blooming experience with you: through the Portanuova Milano App, you can reserve your complimentary flower bag curated by Fiuri.
To enjoy Design Week stress-free, you can also use the Portanuova Milano App to book and pay for parking in just a few clicks: park for at least two hours in Portanuova Garibaldi or Varesine parking areas and receive one hour free.
We look forward to welcoming you to Portanuova to let imperfection bloom together.
And don’t miss these other highlights:
Novamobili: Explore the renovated flagship store and preview the new living collection.
📍Via Melchiorre Gioia, 6/8
Volvo Studio Milano: BREATH. Architecture of Lightness, an immersive installation by MANDALAKI.
📍Viale della Liberazione corner Via Melchiorre Gioia
True: Authentic design and new ideas for contemporary spaces in the new showroom.
📍Viale della Liberazione, 15
Alfaparf Milano Professional: Surprises and gifts dedicated to hair care at the Semi di Lino Pop-Up.
📍Piazza Gae Aulenti
Teka: A journey through design and memory to rediscover the value of everyday moments.
📍Piazza Gae Aulenti
Audemars Piguet: Crafting Time, an exhibition dedicated to excellence in watch design.
📍Via Vincenzo Capelli, 1
Andreu World: A space where design meets well-being, blending craftsmanship and innovation.
📍Via Alessio di Tocqueville, 14
Alea Showroom: Design, sustainability, and new outdoor collections among art and events.
📍Via Alessio di Tocqueville, 12
Gòodurie Soresina: Cheese Vibes, a Taste & Music event where flavor meets design.
📍Via Alessio di Tocqueville, 10
Within this mosaic of experiences, take a moment to unwind at the BAM Rose Garden – Oasis for Insects and Butterflies: 120 roses across 85 varieties, 17 nectar-rich and host plants, and even two bug hotels. A thriving ecosystem that enhances the park’s biodiversity, offering a space of beauty and accessibility.
