Swiss Creatives Address Community And Inclusion At Milan Design Week

Returning for its third edition at Milan Design Week and aligned to the industry’s calendar highlight of Salone del Mobile, the House of Switzerland Milano is a collective exhibition conceived through an ongoing partnership between the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and Presence Switzerland, a unit of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Opening its doors on Monday until 13th April, the exhibition will reside in the iconic location of Casa degli Artisti.

With this year’s exhibition centred on the theme of collaboration, it brings together the work of emerging designers, independent studios, established brands and institutions from across the region. A multitude of skillsets and projects will be displayed within the house, each referencing the theme through unique and individual interpretations. Responding to an open call, the final selection of exhibiting projects was made by an international jury of industry experts who examined the positive synergy experienced through these collaborative projects and how they worked across borders, cultures, practices and sectors.

Also reflecting on current global issues, both from an environmental and societal viewpoint, the House of Switzerland Milano presents how design can be a valuable tool for change. “With a platform like House of Switzerland Milano, especially in the context of Salone, we need to showcase projects that combine concrete propositions, honest reflections, and high-quality design,” says Marie Mayoly, Head of International Platforms for Design at Pro Helvetia. “Emerging designers are at the heart of the House—bringing fresh energy and future-oriented solutions that respond to evolving societal needs. Their presence complements the more established Swiss brands and designers already present in Milan, enriching the overall narrative of Swiss design.”

With each project addressing social change in its own way, it is making visible diverse realities, expertise, and forms of influence on equal levels Mayoly also adds. Dversa Studio is one of the exhibitors tackling inclusivity head-on, within the homewares sector. Presenting ‘kwer’, a universal tableware set that has been designed in conjunction with individuals who face challenges in using conventional tableware, the project showcases the power of a co-creative approach to ensure products are not only functional but also inclusive and accessible. Users from diverse backgrounds, abilities and ages integrated their insights into the process of the collection, so real-life needs could be addressed and end-users could play an active role in shaping the final design.

“At the heart of collaboration are people. When individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise come together, it fosters a culture of listening, learning, and trust,” continues Mayoly. “In times of uncertainty, true progress comes not from one viewpoint prevailing over another, but from co-creating solutions that reflect a shared vision. From a Swiss perspective, this approach resonates deeply— different languages, dialogue, and consensus-building are part of our DNA. We see collaboration not just as a method, but as a mindset—one that helps bridge divides, reduce polarisation, and allows us to move forward together.”

Designer Lena Bernasconi is presenting her project WWW (Women Work Wear) that responds to the question: Are objects sexist? In exploring the gender bias that still exists in the manufacturing of certain items, specifically workwear, she has designed a new set of work pants that take into account the experiences and perspectives of 25 women – each of whom she interviewed throughout the creative process. Istituto Svizzero will also be presenting The House of Dorothy, a large-scale installation created by Vincent Grange in 1997 that sits at the intersection of spatial design and queer history. By speculatively imagining the home of ‘Dorothy’ (which references the term “friends of Dorothy”, one of many secret codes historically used by the LGBTQIA+ community to discreetly identify each other), the project pays homage to queer spaces while also divulging the queer histories of Milan itself as it takes place within the city.

Another installation titled ‘Rings of Collaboration’ addresses the need for inclusive design and solutions that respond to the needs of those with disabilities. The result of a collaboration between the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation, Mode Suisse, Design Prize Switzerland and Augment IT, it aims to promote autonomous lifestyles while bridging gaps between the worlds of medicine, education, research and technology. Similarly bringing multiple partners together, The Living Tent is a project that stems from the work of an interdisciplinary group of eleven students and two professors from Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art (HSLU). The interactive structure is crafted from resources and materials found within the school, conveying a sense of community and family as multiple contributors have shaped the outcome together. Referencing the schools collaborative spirit, the project hopes to create an experience where individual achievements are celebrated within the context of a common purpose.

With such positive design sensibilities being witnessed within this collective exhibition, it is set to be one of the highlights of the upcoming Milan Design Week. And, while a week-long celebration of design from across the world, Alexandre Edelmann, Head of Presence Switzerland, hopes visitors get the chance to witness the future-focused mindset of the country’s contemporary design talent. “Swiss design has always been rooted in functionality and clarity, but today’s designers are increasingly aware of the broader impact their work can have on society,” he says. “While function remains central, the context in which design operates has become just as important. Swiss designers consciously integrate social and environmental considerations into their creative process, aiming to develop solutions that not only serve a purpose but also contribute positively to a global society.”