From September 18 to 21 at BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano, the outdoor design event returns. A new edition themed Frames of Nature, blending installations, cinema and nature
Open Air Design returns to Milan, bringing outdoor design to the forefront in an open, inclusive, and accessible format. Now in its fifth edition, the event will take place from September 18 to 21, 2025, in the regenerated setting of BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi, the urban park that has become a symbol of the Porta Nuova district’s renewal.
Frames of Nature: design meets the language of cinema
This year’s theme, Frames of Nature, draws inspiration from cinema, a medium that—like design—creates narratives and imaginaries capable of connecting people, ideas, and cultures. Curated by COIMA Image in collaboration with MoscaPartners and with a special film program by Muse Factory of Projects, the event features a rich schedule of installations, talks, screenings, and performances designed to engage a wide and diverse audience.
Design brands take center stage in an open-air set
Fourteen leading design companies will be the protagonists of the event: Artemide, BI.CI, Dynamo, Ecocontract, Garc, Gessi, Kartell, Antonio Marras + Nodo Italia, Medit, MV Line, Poliform, Slalom, and Tecnomont. Each will transform BAM into a large open-air set, presenting their creative vision through immersive installations and site-specific projects.
Universities and new generations join the conversation
The event also welcomes the contribution of students from the Design School at Politecnico di Milano and from IULM University. With fresh and experimental perspectives, they will explore the theme through visual research and design. The program will be further enriched by a selection of Italian and international documentaries exploring the relationship between humans and nature, with screenings, director Q&As, and conversations with participating companies.
Open Air Design 2025: an invitation to the city to imagine a shared future
Promoted by the Fondazione Riccardo Catella, the initiative extends an open invitation to the city: to experience design as a tool for civic education, creativity, and collective participation. Workshops, public talks, installations, and performances will animate the event throughout its four days.
