From monumental reflection at Statale to the suspended dimension of Brera: Studio q-bic and Politecnico di Milano rewrite the language of water
On the occasion of Fuorisalone 2026, water is not merely the element being dispensed, but the primary raw material of design. Rubinetterie Treemme, a historic pillar of Made in Italy excellence, doubles its Milanese presence with two high-impact interventions curated by Studio q-bic. While the collaboration with Politecnico di Milano in the Cortile d’Onore of the Università Statale explores the ethical responsibility of consumption, in the heart of Brera, space is transformed into a sensory temple where design emerges from the darkness as a pure sculptural vision.
Ad Aquam: The Prism of Awareness at Statale
Set within the context of the “INTERNI MATERIA ENERGIA” exhibition, the installation Ad Aquam – Reflections transforms the Cortile d’Onore into a narrative device. Born from the synergy between Rubinetterie Treemme and the Politecnico di Milano School of Design – Poli.Design, the project appears as an “L-shaped” architectural structure clad in corrugated mirror sheets.
The metallic skin fragments the surrounding historic architecture, reflecting the ever-changing nature of water. Inside, the path is divided into two distinct moments:
- Emotional Impact: An immersive triangular space where global data projections make the fragility of water resources visible.
- Individual Responsibility: A functional exhibition area where visitors interact with the faucets, viewing real-time water flow through smart meters, thus transforming consumption into ethical awareness.
Pure Flow: The Suspended Dimension in Via Palermo
Moving to the Brera Design District, at the historic Falegnameria Cavalleroni, Rubinetterie Treemme presents Pure Flow—a diametrically opposite experience centered on abstraction and silence. The windows of Via Palermo 8 reveal a liquid ecosystem: a continuous, hypnotic rain that douses the first room, purifying the space from urban noise and welcoming visitors into a state of absolute suspension.
The heart of the exhibition is a “black void” where the products shed their purely technical function to become art. The faucets emerge from the darkness, suspended within opalescent white totems—monoliths of light that enhance their finishes and perfect geometries. It is a celebration of pure aesthetics, where design floats in the dark.
From Memory to Project: A Return to Matter
The Brera journey concludes with a tribute to the venue’s history. At the back of the hall, an industrial bookshelf and an imposing wooden workbench recall the original soul of the carpentry workshop. In this tactile area, Rubinetterie Treemme’s research returns to the operational dimension: architects and visitors can sit, touch samples, and interact with finishes, giving shape to new project ideas.
Through these two stages, the Tuscan company demonstrates how contemporary design must dialogue with two parallel urgencies: the need for rigorous environmental ethics and the desire for an aesthetic experience capable of evoking emotion and suspending time.
