A sculptural dialogue in Milan | Duravit @ Milan Design Week 2026
Duravit highlights bathroom as spatial experience at Milan Design Week 2026
Duravit, the German bathroom giant, marked a striking presence at Milan Design Week 2026 with an eclectic presentation blurring utility and art. The centrepiece was Balcoon–Scapes, an immersive installation designed by Patricia Urquiola. This exhibit commuted the design idiom of the Balcoon bathroom series into a sculptural spatial composition by abstracting basic shapes and warm colour moods. Washbasins and toilets were completely released from their functional roles, appearing as totem-like elements. To inject a playful character, the installation featured a toilet with a fur-like texture and bidets with structured layers of concrete. Urquiola spent over a year creating this teatrino, a little theatre where objects enter into a dialogue to redefine the bathroom.
Duravit, the German bathroom giant, marked a striking presence at Milan Design Week 2026 with an eclectic presentation blurring utility and art. The centrepiece was Balcoon–Scapes, an immersive installation designed by Patricia Urquiola. This exhibit commuted the design idiom of the Balcoon bathroom series into a sculptural spatial composition by abstracting basic shapes and warm colour moods. Washbasins and toilets were completely released from their functional roles, appearing as totem-like elements. To inject a playful character, the installation featured a toilet with a fur-like texture and bidets with structured layers of concrete. Urquiola spent over a year creating this teatrino, a little theatre where objects enter into a dialogue to redefine the bathroom.
ELITE ROOFTOP SOIRE
To kick off the week, Duravit hosted an exclusive cocktail event on the rooftop of the Gran Meli Palazzo Cordusio for 450 invited guests. The high-profile crowd included architecture partners alongside international VIPs Kelly Rutherford and Angela Missoni. Patricia Urquiola and Duravit CMO Lder Fromm welcomed guests, sharing insights into their international design partnership.
THE LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTIBLE
A major highlight was the debut of the limited-edition Balcoon stool, which commutes the bathroom’s design language into a distinct piece of sculptural furniture. Produced at the Duravit plant in the Black Forest, the exclusive series comprises exactly 26 numbered pieces, instantly establishing it as a coveted collector’s item.
SHOWROOM INNOVATION AND CITY VISIBILITY
Parallelly, Duravit opened its heavily frequented Milan showroom to offer a compact overview of its design spectrum. On display were new Balcoon additions, ME by Starck, Ocavo washing areas, and advanced SensoWash shower-toilets. To maximise impact, a branded tram traversed the city, while a shuttle bus connected the showroom to the main installation.
