Ten years
In 2009, the Dutch – led by Margriet Vollenberg – arrived in Milan, in the Ventura-Lambrate district, permanently pushing the boundaries of Milan Design Week towards the outskirts of the city. This year, Ventura Projects celebrates ten years with special events, new locations and projects that look to the future. It consolidates a winning format which has evolved over time, one always skilfully adapted to the urban transformation of Milan – from the warehouses of Lambrate to the tunnels under the Central Station.    

Ventura Future
For their second year, the exhibitors at Ventura Future are moving from Loreto (where they were last year) in Zona Tortona, to the spaces of BASE Milano (formerly Ansaldo), which offers 3,700 square metres of space and room for 83 installations. The main themes are biodesign and new technologies (with the exhibition “Future (H)eart(H): 8 Dutch Design visions for a liveable earth”), food design (with Isabelle Sanchez Jacques) and research into the materials of the future (by Eddyboy, Fabrique Publique and Studio Ludovico, among others). 

For anyone interested in current research in universities around the world, some of the best design schools will be grouped together at BASE: MIT Integrated Design and Management (USA), Rhode Island School of Design (USA), Central Saint Martins (UK), Royal College of Art (UK), Design School Kolding (Denmark) and FHNW Academy of Art and Design (Switzerland), to name just a few.

There will also be exhibitions curated at BASE, “Un-learn/Re-learn” (with Italo Rota, Salottobuono, Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto, Stefano Mirti, Super), and workshops, as well as evening programme of music.  

Practical information
New this year – and running counter to the general trend for free entry at Milan Design Fair – is a charge for admission (the cost is €5 per ticket, which is valid for the whole week). According to the organisers, it is a measure that should guarantee better quality.    

Ventura Future
BASE Milano
Via Bergognone 34, Milan, Italy
Opening hours
9–13 April: 09:30–20:00
10 April (Open evening): 20:00–22:00
14 April: 9:30–18:00    

Ventura Centrale
The Magazzini linked together by Ventura Centrale, under the tracks of Milan Central Station, have increased in number – from last year’s nine to 16. There will be 17 installations, all promising audience involvement and special effects. Exhibitors will include the Asian brands Yamaha, AGC (with a glass and ceramic installation) and Noroo Group (with a sensory installation). Also taking part is the Spanish ceramics company Cosentino (with production design by Benjamin Hubert / Studio Layer), the Dutch office furniture brand Lensvelt & Modular, and Rapt Studio (USA), who are making their Design Fair debut.
Guest will also include the Dutch designer Maarten Baas (with an installation inviting us to disconnect and a Bar Baas project in Dinky, a pizzeria across the street) and Freitag (with the artist Georg Lendorff’s questions about bad design). Lavazza and Gufram will together offer a new limited-edition icon.

Ventura Centrale
Via Ferrante Aporti 7bis-31bis
9–13 April: 10:00–20:00
14 April: 10:00–18:00