Space and architecture with their ability to inspire us, along with places in which we can immerge ourselves to become relaxed and calm are elements of interest for our future design scenarios.
Next Design Perspective, a manifesto born from a study commissioned by Altagamma to WGSN, the international trend research company, presented these themes and topics last October in Milan. During their presentation the MoMa Design Director Paola Antonelli had already anticipated the subject of the “Broken Nature” through his XII Triennale Exhibition open from the 1st of March till the 1st of September. The concept of “Restorative Design” highlights many projects where people and the environment are front and center, including social and natural ecosystems.
Also, the “Museo di Storia Naturale” in Milan, known for their scientific approach, focused on issues of the climate change which as stated by Luca Mercalli (president the Italian Metereological Society) “is no longer a hypothesis, but a process which has already started”.
“Understanding the climate change, Experience Exhibition” is an experimental method of storytelling in which visitors discover the causes and effects of the global warming thorugh the stunning pictures of National Geographic and new immersive, digital technologies.
Image courtesy Nat Geo
Both these Milanese exhibitions dive deep into the bonds between people and the environment, taking note of how they coexist but have exponentially become more and more unbalanced. Broken Nature is focused on architectural design projects, exploring the concept and possible strategies of restoration, while Experience Exhibition focuses on natural elements thanks to the vast photographic materials.
The attention of the worldwide media to this theme, spawns from the desire to reconnect with nature and find a balance both at work and in the private life, the beginning of a new social ecology. It is a phenomenon theorized by the sociologist Maffesoli, in his book about Nomadism, a prophetic text written in 2000, which states that the instincts of man will lead us to restart an adventurous journey through life, becoming nomads again and living amongst nature.
How is this related with the workplace? The elimination of physical boundaries seems a bit extreme, as well as the division between the private and professional worlds: the widespread office is already here, and will be central focus at Workplace 3.0 during the 2019 Milan Design Week.
It’s likely that the workplace of the future will be completely different from the one we know today, moving towards more naturalistic designs: habitats immersed in the green, where the indoors merge with the outdoors, positively impacting people’s wellbeing.
To design along this path, companies must act and respect the planet, with social initiatives promoting a better world.