Salone Milano 2025 to Focus on the Human Factor

It’s that time of the year when Milan transforms for the biggest design event of the year. For those who have experienced Salone del Mobile.Milano firsthand, they know it is nothing short of a festival—one where the entire country comes together to celebrate people, design, and collaborations.

SCALE sits down for an in-depth conversation with Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, to gain insights into this year’s edition and the vision shaping its future.

From April 8 to 13, 2025, with more than 2,100 exhibitors from 37 countries, Salone Milano will once again be the thriving nerve center of design — a hub that disseminates vital energy throughout the city, transforming Milan into the World Design Capital and attracting design enthusiasts from around the world. This year, as with all previous editions, the Salone 2025 aims to surpass its predecessor — and it will succeed, a feat I have always found confounding. Yet, the Salone does this every year, flourishing a little more with each edition.

This year, the first edition of the Euroluce International Lighting Forum will take place on April 10 and 11 in the Forest of Space Arena. Following the success of the 2023 edition, The City of Lights, the two-day event will explore the story of light from a multidisciplinary perspective.

More than 20 international speakers—including lighting designers, architects, artists, scenographers, scientists, anthropologists, astronomers, and psychologists—will take the stage at the Forest of Space Arena, designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.

Another major highlight of this year’s Salone is Library of Light, an installation by Es Devlin.The renowned British artist will illuminate the Pinacoteca di Brera with a spectacular installation dedicated to the value of knowledge. The Library of Light will be located at the center of the 17th-century Cortile d’Onore, which connects the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Braidense National Library, and the Academy of Fine Arts.

It is an extraordinary sculpture—an 18-meter-diameter circular “beacon of knowledge” composed of illuminated shelves containing over 2,000 volumes. The structure, characterised by a rotating floor and glowing surfaces, is positioned slightly off-center within the courtyard, resembling a sundial. During the day, as the structure slowly rotates like a compass, sunlight reflects off the slanted mirrors that enclose the library, casting light onto the columns, statues, and previously unlit sections of the building. At night, its luminous form creates striking shadow plays on the courtyard walls.

“With more than 169,000 square meters of sold-out exhibition space, the 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano is set to welcome over 2,100 exhibitors, including 168 brands making their debut at the Salone and 91 returnees, with an increasingly strong international presence,” shares Mario Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano.

One key reason why the Salone continues to lead the world of design—beyond the success stories of the brands it showcases—is the presence of women leaders at the helm of the event. From Mario Porro, the President of the Salone, Marva Griffin Wilshire, Founder and Curator of SaloneSatellite, to Annalisa Rosso, Editorial Director & Cultural Events Advisor of Salone del Mobile.Milano, women hold many significant leadership positions within the organization.

Maria Porro, who became the first female president of the Salone in 2021, reflects on the event’s evolution: “We worked on shaping the ideas and visions that have emerged over the last few years, guided by two simple questions: What is the new role of the Salone? How and where do we begin redesigning its future?”

She continues, “Since 1961, the Salone del Mobile has been an ecosystem that intertwines business, culture, and networking. The Salone’s strength lies in its professional audience from 150 countries, whose participation drives its success and resonates throughout the entire value chain. This is why—against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global scenario—we have placed even greater emphasis on attracting professionals from both established and emerging markets, encouraging key competitive elements such as sustainability, and offering a cultural program that sparks new reflections on the future.”

We speak to Maria Porro to understand what the Salone Milano 2025 is all about.

SCALE: What is the central theme or focus of the 2025 edition, and how will it reflect the evolution of design trends?

Maria Porro: In this edition, Salone del Mobile.Milano will focus on the human factor, memory, and emotional intelligence. The common thread uniting all events and activities is encapsulated in the new communication campaign, Thought for Humans: everything that is built is designed to interact with human beings. This fundamental concept will be expressed through a series of installations and talks, exploring the deeper cultural value of design.

Typically, Salone does not have a single overarching theme but rather multiple areas of focus. This year, light takes center stage, as the biennial Euroluce returns—the international reference platform for lighting design. With 300 exhibitors, Euroluce showcases the latest advancements in the sector, driven by technology, sustainability, innovation, intelligent systems, AI integration, biophilic design, and enhanced user control, enabling personalized atmospheres and tailor-made environments.

Euroluce will also debut the first edition of The Euroluce International Lighting Forum (April 10–11, Pavilion 2), a two-day event featuring masterclasses, roundtables, and workshops hosted within The Forest of Space Arena, designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. This immersive space integrates nature into architecture, fostering discussions on the future of lighting through a multidisciplinary approach. More than 20 international speakers, including lighting designers, architects, artists, set designers, scientists, biologists, anthropologists, astronomers, and psychologists, will share their visions, research, and design practices.

Some of the key names? Lonneke Gordijn, artist and co-founder of DRIFT; Stefano Mancuso, a pioneer in plant neurobiology; and Timothy Ingold, Professor Emeritus of Social Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen, to name just a few.

SCALE: Are there any major structural or conceptual changes planned for the fair in 2025? Will there be any major changes to the fair layout, visitor experience, or accessibility in 2025?

Maria Porro: This year, we will continue to prioritise the visitor experience by further enhancing the ring-layout exhibition concept in the pavilions, making navigation at Salone del Mobile.Milano even more intuitive. Additionally, we are expanding and refining measures to improve accessibility, ensuring a more seamless and inclusive experience for visitors with disabilities.

SCALE: Sustainability has become a key pillar of design. What new sustainable practices or initiatives will be introduced at Salone 2025?

Maria Porro: In 2024, Salone del Mobile.Milano renewed and refined its Sustainability Policy, further integrating it into the strategy and management of both the organization and its various events.

For the 2025 edition, we will continue enhancing our commitment to sustainable practices, from eco-friendly ticket office gadgets—such as badge holders and Red Cards made from recycled materials—to the reuse of bookshop structures and the Formafantasma Arena. Additionally, we will maintain our carpet-free approach in the pavilions to reduce environmental impact.

Sustainability will also take center stage in this year’s Cultural Programme, which will explore ways to design a better future by addressing key environmental challenges. Among the featured speakers is Lesley Lokko, President of the African Futures Institute and Director of the Venice Biennale 2023, whose work has made a fundamental contribution to shaping a new vision of social and environmental sustainability.

Beyond environmental concerns, social sustainability remains a key focus. During the fair, we will announce Salone’s support for the AIRC Foundation, which marks 60 years of dedication to advancing independent cancer research. This commitment will be highlighted through a special edition of Love Design, a fundraising initiative aimed at fostering the growth and training of young research talents.

SCALE: How do you see emerging technologies like AI, digital fabrication, and smart materials shaping the exhibits at Salone 2025?

MARIA PORRO: It will be a surprise also for us. We do not have priority access to what companies will present, however many of the exhibiting companies in their production are already considering more and more these emerging technology.

SCALE: Will the fair introduce new categories or special showcases to address pressing global issues like circular economy and eco-conscious design?

MARIA PORRO: The many talks, masterclasses, workshops of The Euroluce International Lighting Forum and of Drafting Futures. Conversations about Next Perspectives (Pavilion 14) will focus on the transmission of knowledge and experiences to encourage reflection on the opportunities and responsibilities we have today towards a tomorrow that is already present, through themes linked to design imagination, sustainability and the evolution of the dynamics of the sector in cultural contexts that are also very distant from each other.

SCALE: Salone del Mobile is a global stage for design. How is the 2025 edition expanding its international reach and influence?

MARIA PORRO: Throughout the year, we organize numerous events and press conferences worldwide to promote the design and furniture industry, foster dialogue between interconnected cultures, and create business opportunities for Made in Italy.

Our journey began in September in New York with an event on Italian design, curated by Ferruccio Laviani. This was followed by two key events in China: a scenographic installation by artist Matilde Cassani at The Orbit in Shanghai, where 65 iconic products from 36 leading Italian furniture brands were displayed; and in Hong Kong, we presented the SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection 1998–2024 Exhibition to mark the 25th anniversary of SaloneSatellite, which had been celebrated in Milan with a major exhibition at Triennale during Salone del Mobile 2024.

Following these international stops, we added another destination—Miami, where we hosted a special gathering for the international design and art community during Art Basel Miami. The journey then continued across major European cities—Munich, Copenhagen, Paris, and Madrid—before returning to the U.S. with stops in New York City, Toronto, and Houston, as well as in New Delhi.

These events have engaged journalists, professionals, architects, and designers—key voices in the design industry—who offer valuable insights and broader reflections that extend beyond design into multiple spheres of society. Because, ultimately, design is everywhere.

SCALE: How is Salone collaborating with global institutions, country specific institutions, universities, and designers to push the boundaries of design discourse?

MARIA PORRO: We maintain a strong partnership with ITA – the Italian Trade Agency, which supports us in promoting Made in Italy worldwide. Many of our international events, including those in New York, Houston, Shanghai, and New Delhi, were organized with their support. In recent years, we have also participated in Italian Design Days (IDD), an initiative by the Italian Foreign Ministry and ITA – Italian Trade Agency. Additionally, we have collaborated on government-led initiatives, such as our press events hosted at embassies, including this year’s event at the Italian Embassy in Copenhagen in January.

Another key relationship we have nurtured is with Triennale Milano, the temple of design, as well as the ADI Museum and ADI (the Association for Industrial Design), which has been managing the Compasso d’Oro Award—Europe’s oldest and most prestigious design award—since 1958. We also collaborate closely with Teatro alla Scala, where we celebrate the Opening Night of Salone, and Teatro Piccolo di Milano – Teatro d’Europa, where we have previously hosted press conferences and the presentation of Milan Design (Eco) System, a research project led by Politecnico di Milano. This project provides an in-depth analysis of the impact of Milano Design Week, with Salone del Mobile serving as an international catalyst alongside the city’s ever-expanding calendar of design events in April.

In Milan, we have strong ties with foundations dedicated to preserving the legacies of Italian design masters, such as Franco Albini, Achille Castiglioni, and Vico Magistretti. Beyond these institutional connections, we actively engage with architects, designers, and lighting design associations worldwide.

This year, we have also forged new cultural partnerships to highlight Milan’s artistic heritage, including a collaboration with the Museo della Pietà Rondanini – Castello Sforzesco, where one of our key events will take place

SCALE: What role do emerging designers and independent studios play in shaping the 2025 edition? Are there new initiatives to support young talent?

Young creatives have been very important to Salone del Mobile since 1998 when SaloneSatellite has  started.Founded as a platform for experimentation and production, SaloneSatellite serves as a unique meeting point where young designers and design schools can engage directly with industry professionals. It provides an opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies, techniques, and artisanal know-how, a tradition at risk due to a generational shift that has been slow to take off.

As a one-of-a-kind creative reservoir, SaloneSatellite fosters an ongoing intergenerational dialogue about the future of design. To support emerging talent, it has established the SaloneSatellite Award, now in its 14th edition. Since its inception, the award has been chaired by Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of Architecture & Design and Director of Research & Development at MoMA. Each year, a jury selects the three best projects from those submitted by the young designers and displayed in a collective exhibition.

The prototypes showcased at SaloneSatellite frequently attract clients and companies that recognize their potential, helping transform these concepts into market-ready products. This tangible opportunity is what makes SaloneSatellite invaluable to young designers.

In support of the next generation of talent, this year we are introducing specially discounted tickets for students, encouraging those about to enter the world of design and manufacturing to experience the event firsthand.

SCALE: Can you share any exciting details about immersive installations, collaborations, or keynote speakers for Salone 2025?

The 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking event, with three remarkable site-specific installations that will take center stage in 2025. Each project explores different aspects of human experience, design, and culture, blending the visual arts with architectural and interior design innovation.

Villa Héritage by Pierre-Yves Rochon (Pavilions 13-15): Pierre-Yves Rochon, a renowned French architect, presents Villa Héritage, a bold interior design concept showcased within A Luxury Way. This exhibition celebrates the essence of timeless living, emphasising how inheritance should inspire freedom rather than constrain creativity. It promises to explore the notion of legacy and the evolution of luxurious living spaces in a contemporary context.

La Dolce Attesa by Paolo Sorrentino (Pavilions 22-24 Entrance): The visionary Oscar-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino brings a poetic and emotional installation titled La Dolce Attesa, which delves into the universal experience of waiting—specifically, the sweet anticipation of pregnancy. Sorrentino’s installation, in collaboration with scenographer Margherita Palli, will create a space filled with possibility and expectation, inviting visitors to reflect on the beauty and wonder of life’s most intimate moments.

These installations not only celebrate design in its multifaceted forms but also underscore the ways in which art and architecture can address universal themes of humanity, legacy, and transformation. The Salone del Mobile 2025 is set to be a journey of exploration, emotion, and inspiration

Keynote Speakers: Drafting Futures – Conversations on Next Perspectives

The Drafting Futures talk series will feature visionary architects and thought leaders, including: Lesley Lokko, founder of the Africa Futures Institute and curator of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale, Valeria Segovia, Director & Design Director of Gensler London, part of the world’s largest architecture firm with clients across 100+ countries.

This highly anticipated dialogue will explore emerging perspectives in architecture, design, and urban futures.

SCALE: With your years of experience with the Salone, what is the one innovation that has made a major impact on the way Salone has been functioning?

MARIA PORRO: Supersalone made a strong impact as the first global event following the challenging years of the pandemic. It demonstrated that it is both possible and crucial to hold major international events live again, even after such a disruption, while embedding sustainability and environmental awareness into furniture production. Supersalone was also, at long last, a live, shared event—a significant opportunity for the design sector to focus all its energies on best expressing the quality that sets it apart. It marked the first step toward a more conscious approach to sustainability.

Another major impact occurred in 2023 when Salone launched three key innovations:

The first was a single exhibition level, with exhibitors from the upper pavilions (8-12, 16-20) moving to the lower ones. This created consistent aesthetic, narrative, and reference paths, further enhancing the visitor experience and increasing opportunities for individual brands to meet and interact.

The second innovation was a new Euroluce layout, featuring an urban, loop-shaped path. Instead of visitors being faced with numerous directional choices, this layout allowed them to encounter all the exhibitors within just a few hundred meters, avoiding the frustration of missing out on something.

The final innovation was a wide-ranging cultural component within the lighting biennial spaces, consisting of multidisciplinary content—from architecture to photography and art—with exhibitions, talks, workshops, and site-specific installations curated and organized by curators of various generations, spheres, and backgrounds.