Audacity, research, and innovation in materials: ENHANCE returns, the exhibition that challenges the limits of design

Hosted in the Isola Design District at Basic Village (via dell’Aprica 12), ENHANCE presents an exhibition at Fuorisalone 2025 curated with a strong focus on the seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognized by members of the World Design Organization as particularly relevant for the future of industrial design.

The second edition of the exhibition will be an immersive journey through projects and research that delve into concrete solutions, highlighting design’s potential in shaping society. ENHANCE presents design as an essential driver of change and a tool for promoting sustainable development.

“It’s not about having all the answers, but about creating a space to explore meaningful questions with our audience." - Patrick Abbattista, founder of DesignWanted.


Photo courtesy of Isaac Lim Yi Jie

Three key concepts form the foundation of the exhibition format:

- Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals: ENHANCE aligns with the SDGs, showcasing projects that actively contribute to global sustainability without compromise.
 

- Focus on design driven by material research: The 2025 edition highlights projects that innovate through materials and production processes.
 

- International expansion: Following its experience in Milan, ENHANCE aims to expand its reach with future exhibitions in collaboration with international design events.

“We are excited to delve deeper into material innovation, inviting visitors and designers to reflect on how materials can shape sustainable design. It’s a journey for all of us, and we are learning along the way," says Juan Torres, curator of ENHANCE.


Photo courtesy of Riccardo De Vecchi

Supporting the exhibition concept will be the scenography, created by Terraformæ. Born as an experimental laboratory within the historic Fornace S. Anselmo, Terraformæ has always explored the potential of clay, considering it a key element in contemporary architecture. The scenography of ENHANCE will be composed of terracotta bricks created using a unique erosion technique developed by Simon Chaouat, inspired by Venetian facades shaped by rising sea levels. Once the exhibition ends, the bricks will be recovered for future use, in line with the sustainable approach of the event.

Exhibitors


Photo courtesy of EllerStudio_FrancescoMarano

Among the exhibitors, Monostudio Associati, winner of the DesignWanted special mention at EDIT Napoli 2024, will present Tempesta B, a work that transforms trees felled by storms into a symbol of rebirth.

They will be joined by Bundle Studio with Canopy Stool, a stackable and lightweight chair made from a bio-composite developed by the studio. Joshua Klappe with Self-Bent Chair, a fascinating exploration of self-bending wood. Japanese studio Wah with Trunk, a lighting series inspired by animism and the vitality inherent in natural objects. Emeline Ong with Bubblegum Pink Table from the Pastille Collection, a product exploring the interaction between custom molds and a composite pulp mix.


Photo courtesy of WAH

Shelf Life with Buoy, a stool that transforms discarded seashells into a dynamic and unexpected seat. Home by Zeo with Polar Shelf from the Iceberg Series, a product that merges modern design with biodegradable materials. Basse Stittgen with Knock on Wood Armchair, a chair made from a wood-based polymer clay composed of cellulose and lignin. Wilfried Becret with Monolith, created with unrecycled glass powder from the glass industry, recovered through the Terre de Verre project. DebonaDemeo x CHROMA COMPOSITES, presenting a collaborative piece that fuses design with cutting-edge composite materials.