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Spanish Interior Design Shines at Milan Design Week 2026 with 'Appartamento Spagnolo'

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The exploration of modern living environments remains a primary focus for architects and designers globally. Amidst evolving styles and the blending of traditions, contemporary interior design masterfully combines diverse materials, textures, and palettes to redefine personal spaces. Within the context of our homes, design serves as a crucial framework, supporting the intricate balance of daily life. The recent Milan Design Week 2026 highlighted this with the fourth iteration of 'Appartamento Spagnolo,' a collaboration between ICEX and Elle Decor Italia. This exhibition presented a unique platform for showcasing cutting-edge Spanish interior design within the grand setting of a historic palazzo.

This year's 'Appartamento Spagnolo' at Milan Design Week 2026 was a testament to the dynamic evolution of Spanish interior design. The exhibition, a joint effort by ICEX and Elle Decor Italia, skillfully blended historical architectural grandeur with contemporary design concepts. By transforming the Palazzo Castiglioni into a series of immersive domestic environments, the event offered a compelling vision of how modern living spaces can be both functional and aesthetically rich, while adhering to principles of sustainability and innovation.

The Palazzo Castiglioni Transformed: A Canvas for Modern Living

The philosophical underpinnings of modern design were vividly expressed through Studiopepe's exhibition design at the Palazzo Castiglioni. Organized by Interiors from Spain and curated by Elle Decor Italia, the exhibition artfully re-imagined the historic palace into a series of temporary domestic settings. Each section of the exhibition was dedicated to a specific residential function, spanning various rooms including the Sala Pavoni, Sala Sommaruga, Sala Liberty, central passageways, the winter garden, and the courtyard. Studiopepe's strategy involved creating a fluid spatial configuration with six distinct ambiances, achieved by segmenting the vast spaces using lightweight, adaptable partitions.

Milan-based Studiopepe, led by Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, envisioned this project as a 'dwelling within a dwelling,' contrasting the contemporary aesthetic with the palace's traditional ornamentation. The interior layout was structured around individual volumetric units, characterized by their graceful, organic forms. This design approach skillfully established a dual spatial narrative: the enduring architectural framework of the past accommodating the transient, contemporary volumes. Each designed environment served a specific domestic purpose, such as living areas, dining spaces, kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms, alongside transitional zones. The circulation path was non-linear, connecting all areas through smooth transitions rather than conventional hallways.

Innovative Design Elements and Material Harmony

To establish seamless spatial continuity, a carefully curated color scheme was applied across all the rooms. Deep brown and chocolate tones formed the base palette, subtly accented with pastel green and vivid acid yellow. Lighting played a crucial role, integrated into the architectural design to enhance depth and create visual layers. Both ambient and task lighting systems were strategically employed to emphasize transitions between spaces and highlight the interplay of materials across various surfaces, textiles, and ceramic applications. The exhibition also featured contributions from a diverse group of Spanish brands, including Agora, Alexandra, Ape Group, and many others, with each piece thoughtfully integrated to form a cohesive living system rather than being displayed as isolated objects.

The installation presented a compelling example of 'reversible architecture,' where architecture, interior design, and product display were unified through elements of subdivision, permeability, and material integration. The project made extensive use of lightweight constructions, modular components, and demountable partitions. Guided by the concept of discovery, the exhibition masterfully interpreted the contemporary living environment, crafting intimate atmospheres each possessing a unique and distinct character. The strategic use of semi-transparent metal mesh curtains served as primary dividing elements, defining boundaries without fully enclosing spaces. These permeable screens maintained visual flow between rooms while directing movement and access, particularly in the winter garden, where interventions were minimal to preserve existing architectural details and introduce modular furniture as flexible additions. This area beautifully bridged the gap between the historical structure and the modern installation.

Railway Warehouse Transformed into a Transparent Exhibition Space
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Railway Warehouse Transformed into a Transparent Exhibition Space

LR Vandy's 'Rise' Exhibition: A Dynamic Exploration of Rope Sculpture at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
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LR Vandy's 'Rise' Exhibition: A Dynamic Exploration of Rope Sculpture at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Heatherwick Studio Designs Liquid-Inspired Eyewear for JINS
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Heatherwick Studio Designs Liquid-Inspired Eyewear for JINS

Building materials

Polaire by Louve: Ceramic Sculptures Inspired by Polar Landscapes

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The 'Polaire' series by Louve. presents a captivating collection of ceramic sculptures that explore the profound effects of erosion and the transformation of polar landscapes. Crafted from stoneware, these pieces embody a delicate balance between resilience and vulnerability, mirroring the gradual changes observed in melting ice and fractured geological formations. The artist's approach involves intricate layering and meticulous hand-building, resulting in forms that articulate themes of tension and impermanence.

Drawing visual cues from sea ice, frozen terrain, and naturally eroded structures, each sculpture in the collection features cracked surfaces, irregular edges, and dense material accumulations. These elements create an impression of objects caught between states of stability and imminent collapse. The creation process is marked by repetitive manual actions, emphasizing a slow, deliberate accumulation of material and varied surface textures, highlighting the inherent characteristics of ceramic art.

Manon Benoit, the designer behind Louve., uses material treatment as a cornerstone of the 'Polaire' series. The interplay of rough textures and delicate fissures, combined with layered finishes, establishes a striking contrast between robustness and fragility. A subtle, pale color palette evokes the ethereal quality of frozen matter and the dynamic shifts within polar environments. The forms gracefully transition between smooth and fractured surfaces, visually conveying the forces of pressure, erosion, and melting that shape natural landscapes.

Through the medium of ceramics, 'Polaire' thoughtfully addresses the ongoing metamorphosis of natural surroundings influenced by climate instability. Instead of directly replicating specific landscapes, the sculptures artistically translate the processes of erosion, fragmentation, and eventual disappearance into tangible objects. These pieces exist in a fascinating space, bridging the gap between geological artifacts and abstract sculptural expressions.

The collection serves as a poignant artistic commentary on the delicate state of our planet's polar regions. Each piece, with its nuanced textures and evocative forms, invites viewers to contemplate the beauty and fragility of these remote environments. The craftsmanship not only showcases technical skill but also carries a deeper message about environmental change and the passage of time, making 'Polaire' a resonant body of work in contemporary art.

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Carpenter's Home: Weaving Tradition and Innovation in Rural Chinese Architecture
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Carpenter's Home: Weaving Tradition and Innovation in Rural Chinese Architecture

Studio Carraldo's "DELULU" Installation: Navigating Uncertainty through Interactive Labyrinths
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Studio Carraldo's "DELULU" Installation: Navigating Uncertainty through Interactive Labyrinths

Balmuda's Innovative Pocket Watch-Inspired Clock Redefines Time Perception
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Balmuda's Innovative Pocket Watch-Inspired Clock Redefines Time Perception

Building materials

Louvre Museum Selects STUDIOS Architecture and Selldorf Architects for Major Redevelopment

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The esteemed Louvre Museum has announced the successful conclusion of its redesign competition, selecting STUDIOS Architecture and Selldorf Architects as the chosen firms for the monumental “Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance” project. This ambitious undertaking, initiated by France's Ministry of Culture, seeks to revolutionize the visitor experience and reintegrate the museum with the urban fabric of Paris, nearly four decades after I.M. Pei's iconic pyramid redefined its main entrance. The winning proposal was lauded for its architectural finesse, its thoughtful integration within the existing urban and historical context, and its innovative strategies for managing visitor circulation and comfort.

The central tenet of the chosen design involves revitalizing the Louvre's historic eastern façade, particularly the Grande Colonnade. This strategic move is aimed at re-establishing the museum's connection with the city while simultaneously alleviating the persistent overcrowding issues at the current pyramid entrance. The plan introduces a series of new public access points and carefully crafted circulation routes. Extending from Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois towards the Colonnade and the Cour Carrée, the design envisions a sequence of beautifully landscaped public spaces. A prominent belvedere will offer expansive views of the Louvre's façade, complemented by newly verdant moats that create a tranquil public platform. Two gracefully sloping ramps will guide visitors down into the subterranean areas.

These concealed pathways, nestled within the ancient stone retaining walls, will lead to two new underground museum entrances situated on the Seine and Rue de Rivoli sides. The architectural vision seamlessly incorporates new dining establishments, a bookstore, and retail spaces at the moat level, striking a harmonious balance between planted areas and durable mineral surfaces. This thoughtful design not only enhances thermal comfort but also provides shaded public environments. Furthermore, the underground expansion will house additional exhibition areas and a specialized viewing route for the Mona Lisa. This innovative “Parcours Joconde” is specifically designed to recontextualize Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece and alleviate the current concentration of visitors in the Denon Wing.

Unveiled in January 2025 by Emmanuel Macron, the Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance initiative represents a profound commitment to scientific, cultural, architectural, and environmental advancement. The project's overarching goal is to update the museum's infrastructure and introduce new spaces and entry points that will fundamentally transform how visitors engage with this world-renowned institution. The first phase, the “Louvre – Grande Colonnade,” is dedicated to creating new public entrances through the eastern section, thereby reinstating the grandeur envisioned by Louis XIV's original monumental façade. These new access points will not only ease the heavy foot traffic at I. M. Pei's glass pyramid but also significantly improve overall circulation, offering guests a more welcoming and accessible experience.

Below the Cour Carrée and its surrounding gardens, a substantial underground expansion is planned, which will feature an additional museum wing. This new area will include the aforementioned dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa, aiming to provide a more intimate and less crowded viewing experience for one of the world's most famous artworks. A new grand exhibition hall is also slated for construction, which will enable the Louvre to host larger and more diverse temporary exhibitions, solidifying its position as a dynamic contemporary cultural venue. The broader objective is to seamlessly re-establish the museum's connection with its surrounding urban landscape, from the historic moats of the Grande Colonnade to the majestic façades overlooking the Place du Louvre.

The second facet of the project, dubbed “Louvre Demain,” outlines a long-term masterplan for the comprehensive renovation of the museum’s technical systems and infrastructure. This ensures that the historic site will meet modern standards of sustainability and accessibility, preparing it for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The architectural modifications will be meticulously overseen by François Chatillon, the Chief Architect of Historical Monuments, guaranteeing that the project respects and preserves the Louvre’s invaluable heritage. Through the Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance, the institution endeavors to strike a delicate balance between its historic magnificence and contemporary requirements, building upon the legacy of Pei’s Grand Louvre project of the 1980s and 1990s, which, while transformative for areas like the Cour Napoléon and Richelieu Wing, left the eastern façade largely unaltered. This initiative seeks to complete that grand vision, reuniting the classical architecture of the palace with the vibrant city that envelops it.

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