Duravit at Milan Design Week 2026
When bathroom ceramics become works of art
Milan Design Week is considered the most important international barometer for design, material innovations, and the intersection of architecture and interior design. Once a year, Milan becomes a concentrated barometer of how we will plan, build, and design in the future. Which finishes, colors, and technologies will prevail, and what philosophies lie behind them? In addition to the traditional “Salone del Mobile” trade fair, “Fuorisalone” in particular shapes the cityscape. Throughout Milan, showrooms, galleries, and temporary installations open their doors, bringing design to life as an experience within the urban landscape.
This was also the case at the Gran Meliá Palazzo Cordusio, not far from Milan Cathedral, where Duravit and Patricia Urquiola created “Balcoon – Scapes,” an atmospheric, sculptural spatial composition. The installation invited visitors to think beyond the purely functional aspects of bathroom design and to draw inspiration from new perspectives on the bathroom as a designed living space. At the same time, Duravit presented selected new products and iconic collections in the nearby showroom, showcasing the brand’s design versatility in a direct product context.
On sculptures, textures, and perspectives
In the walk-through installation, Patricia Urquiola translated the design language of the Balcoon series she created into sculptural objects, thereby giving them a new, dynamic dimension. The exhibits were based on the round and square elements typical of Balcoon, but took on the form of architectural structures depending on the viewer’s perspective. This impression was reinforced by the warm-toned colors and the tactile, irregular finish of the ceramic.
The central concept behind the installation was to remove the products from their original functional context. Urquiola’s characteristic free interplay of shapes, colors, and proportions gave rise to entirely new, atmospheric perspectives.
"We wanted to show that even functional elements such as a vanity or a bidet can develop their own expressive power. We worked on this installation for over a year. The result is a small ‘Teatrino’—a field of totems and objects that engage in dialogue with one another and open up new perspectives on the bathroom as a designed living space."
A sculptural collector's item
From the free interplay of the compositions, the installation gave rise to a stool designed by Patricia Urquiola, which reinterprets the Balcoon series as a standalone, sculptural piece of furniture. The stool is available as a limited edition of 26 numbered pieces. The edition is intended as a reference to the year 2026 and was manufactured at the Duravit plant in the Black Forest. The stool was first shown to the public in Milan, where it served as an integral part of the overall presentation.
During Milan Design Week 2026, the “Balcoon – Scapes” installation became a hub for connection and exchange. Whether at the opening night at the Gran Meliá Palazzo Cordusio or on the following days, numerous design enthusiasts gathered to experience the installation through shared dialogue and its immediate spatial impact. Duravit would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all guests and partners for the successful event.
Discover the Balcoon product line
The Balcoon bathroom collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola for Duravit, recently won the 2026 German Design Award. The collection received the award in the “Excellent Product Design – Bath and Wellness” category. The jury particularly praised the combination of clean geometry and a warm, natural color palette.
