'A Statement of Form' offers more than just hot air at Milan Design Week

Legend has it that a thick fog caused married couple Angelo Campiglio and Gigina Necchi Campiglio from Pavia to get lost on the way to their hotel after an evening of opera at La Scala in Milan. As a result, they came across a building plot for sale in Via Mozart, and it was precisely here that the architect Piero Portaluppi built the now-famous Villa Necchi Campiglio for them and Gigina's sister Nedda.

A good 90 years later, water vapour was again back in focus at this magical place – though this time in a more useful form. On the occasion of Milan Design Week, luxury kitchen appliance manufacturer Gaggenau broke away from the idea of a classic product presentation in order to make the energy of steam perceptible and the soul of the company tangible with an interactive installation here in the middle of the metropolis.

A real work of art for all the senses and one of the highlights of Fuorisalone, ‘A Statement of Form’ – the name of the immersive sculpture – was hosted at Villa Necchi Campiglio's glass pavilion. ‘It was one of the most exciting projects we have ever worked on,’ reported architect Hendrik Müller of Studio 1zu33, who was instrumental in designing the piece.

Together with chief Gaggenau designer Sven Baacke and other integral partners such as marble master Salvatori and ceramic tile manufacturer Kaufmann Keramik, they succeeded in setting the scene for the company's high-quality appliances, while at the same time making tangible the tradition, craftsmanship and premium quality of their materials. Thanks to the great variety of detail, even returning trade visitors were able to discover something new.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the fair, Gaggenau also offered a quiet space for meetings, discussions and conviviality at the villa, quickly establishing itself as a go-to spot for architects and designers. Numerous well-known faces from the architecture scene, along with other engaged visitors and media representatives, descended on the locale for the installation opening to experience the creativity and unique atmosphere generated by ‘A Statement of Form.’

The programming – which included talks, lectures and exclusive events on topics such as design in the post-pandemic era, the kitchen as the focal point of the home, sustainability and longevity in design – continued to meet the high expectations created by this successful start. This was due in no small part to the high calibre of guests that Gaggenau was able to attract for the various live panels.

The list included Francesca Portesine of Bjarke Ingels Group, designer Søren Rose, Mike Holland of Foster & Partners, designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, founding partners of Yabu Pushelberg, Andrea Molteni of DADA, architect and designer Dara Huang of Design Haus Liberty and architect Michel Rojkind.

Though the talks were broadcast around the world via a live stream, an in-person visit was mandatory in order to taste the culinary heights possible with appliances from Gaggenau. Christian Jürgens – chef of the three-Michelin-star restaurant ‘Überfahrt’ at the Althoff Seehotel on Lake Tegernsee and long-standing partner of the premium manufacturer – was invited to oversee the daily cooking events.

Jürgens' focus in Milan was fully devoted to the overarching theme of steam – he artfully demonstrated the countless possibilities of steam cooking and showcased Gaggenau's new Culinary Warming Drawer. In the process, the renowned chef impressed not only with his compositions from the world of haute cuisine, but also with his great talent for entertainment. The holistic gourmet moments were complemented with tastings from two special suppliers: Winemaker Elías López Montero and Salumi Bettella.

As part of the ‘Respected by Gaggenau’ initiative, Elías López Montero of Verum Wines in Spain and Azienda Agricola Bettella from Italy were honoured for excellence in their respective fields. While Montero focuses on the cultivation of traditional grape varieties and the use of unique wine production methods, Salumi Bettella stands for excellence in pork products made from animals raised in a species-appropriate manner: the Maiale Tranquillo®, or ‘silent pigs’.

The art of the third prize-winner, Spanish ceramics studio Apparatu, run by Xavier Mañosa and his family, was also on show as part of the overall installation in Milan. Mañosa combines traditional pottery with modern processes and unusual materials to create unique designs. It was with a particular sense of pleasure that, after two years of pandemic-related virtuality, Gaggenau was finally able to honour the achievements of these three different producers and present the awards in a live setting.

Overall, Gaggenau looks back on this year's Salone del Mobile with satisfaction. ‘We were delighted with the lively interest,’ says business development manager Victoria McKay, who sees the valuable encounters as a prelude for further collaborations with the exciting community that came together at Villa Necchi Campiglio. After all, ‘A Statement of Form’ represents only the first chapter of a new masterpiece in the field of architecture and design.

© Architonic