Italian Design between technology and tradition

It is the atrium of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka that hosts the exhibition of the Association for Industrial Design (Adi) . The Adi Design Museum in Milan presents 'Italian Design: Innovation', a selection of projects that offer an overview of the excellence of innovation in Italian design.

The exhibition brings together historical icons such as the Blu Ponti majolica by Gio Ponti and the Marco vase by Sergio Asti, capable of reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship, with creations that open up new paths, expressions of a design that looks ahead: Anima, the lamp by Davide Groppi that transforms light into a sign; Farfallina by Álvaro Siza, a seat that celebrates formal and structural lightness; Thierry coffee tables by Piero Lissoni, an explosion of colour and versatility; and the 646 Leggera Outdoor chair, which reinterprets a Ponti classic with advanced technologies borrowed from the automotive industry.

Italian design demonstrates great sensitivity in applying technological innovation to the service of well-being and everyday life. Examples include the Mindtooth Touch device for assessing cognitive fatigue, Vimar's Linea series of home automation devices and the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer G15 green, which blend craftsmanship and connectivity to meet contemporary needs.

The selection is completed by the Isy22 tapware collection by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez, the evolution of a system that has redefined the design of water in an essential and modular key; Juicebox by Enel X, a charging station for electric vehicles, the expression of a design that makes technical infrastructure accessible, intuitive and sustainable; Nuovo Milano cutlery by Ettore Sottsass, with shapes as soft as polished pebbles, that fuse ergonomics, material and care for the gesture; and the Anna G. corkscrew by Alessandro Mendini, that transforms everyday use into a visual tale of affection. by Alessandro Mendini, which transforms everyday use into a visual and emotional story. Many of the products on display, awarded the Compasso d'Oro, testify to the quality and research that distinguish Made in Italy.

A journey through the different stories of Italian design, in which innovation is based on a solid design culture, projected towards the future. The other part of the showcases pays tribute to the contribution of Italian design to the world of performance, on the occasion of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics. A selection that includes the Fisi EA7 Emporio Armani race suit, developed for the Italian national team, the R001Sofia Goggia helmet, the Ergotek Pro mittens and the HP Horizon goggles by Dainese. Then the Dobermann 5 boot by Nordica, the Dobermann Gsr Dc Fdt ski, the Moon Boot (1970s), the Royal Prime skating boots by Risport, the Twin Gate carabiner by Grivel, and the Silver Surfer by Piero Lissoni. "Design is one of the building blocks of our country's reputation in the world for Made in Italy and our manufacturing system," said Andrea Cancellato director of Adi Design Museum Compasso d'Oro. "In fact, design accompanies us, it accompanies the daily life of each of us," added Cancellato.  "We are showcasing some of the best-known designs, but also novelties," said Ambassador Mario Vattani, commissioner general for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, "a concept that we show at the Italian Pavilion" by having the excellences "seen in their real, understandable version, almost to be touched."