From May 17 to 19, 2026, with collateral events also scheduled for May 20, ICFF – International Contemporary Furniture Fair returns to New York, reaffirming its position as one of the most influential events in the international contemporary design scene. With approximately 30,000 visitors every year from across the globe, the fair represents a key reference point for companies, media, buyers, influencers, and international universities.

Within this global context, Istituto Marangoni Milano Design will take part with a dedicated exhibition stand showcasing a selection of projects developed by students from Milano, together with the Design Departments of London, Dubai, and Mumbai.

Continuum: tradition and innovation in dialogue

The curatorial concept behind the 2026 participation is “Continuum”, an exploration of design as a living and constantly evolving system. The project investigates the relationship between memory, technology, and the future, showing how contemporary design is now capable of transforming cultural heritage into new design visions.

Through objects, systems, and immersive experiences, the projects on display present an interdisciplinary approach in which humanities, research, and technological innovation converge into a new idea of global and responsible design.

Istituto Marangoni Milano Design projects showcased at ICFF

Representing Istituto Marangoni Milano Design will be Camille Ferreira with “Pebble”, a project that has already stood out within the school and received international recognition. The work perfectly embodies the “Continuum” theme through its ability to combine aesthetic research, experimentation, and contemporary design sensitivity, reaffirming the school’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of designers capable of interpreting the transformations of the present.

Alongside “Pebble”, two additional projects developed in collaboration with leading Italian design brands will also be showcased: the flower project created with Alessi and the cake stand designed with L’Astro.

The project developed with Alessi originates from the research initiative “Domestic Oracles”, presented during Milano Design Week 2026, and explores the relationship between artificial intelligence, domestic objects, and human interaction. The flower interprets design as a sensitive and emotional presence, capable of transforming technology into a poetic and relational experience.

The cake stand developed with L’Astro explores the dialogue between contemporary craftsmanship, product culture, and material experimentation, reinterpreting a traditional domestic object through an essential and contemporary design language. The project reflects Istituto Marangoni Milano Design’s approach to design as a research-driven process capable of combining aesthetic identity, innovation, and a strong connection with the creative industry.

Design as a bridge between memory and innovation

Istituto Marangoni Milano Design’s participation at ICFF 2026 is part of a broader reflection on the contemporary role of design and design education. These themes will be explored during the talk “Design as a Bridge Between Memory and Innovation: The Future Role of Education”, taking place on May 18 in New York at the headquarters of the ITA – Italian Trade Agency.

The discussion will bring together Giulio Cappellini, Josh Owen, Director of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies, and Sergio Nava, Global Scientific Director of Design at Istituto Marangoni, around an increasingly relevant topic today: the relationship between technological innovation, cultural memory, and the education of future generations of designers.

According to Sergio Nava, contemporary design is now required to engage with complex systems in which technology, ethics, sustainability, and cultural identity constantly interact, redefining the very role of design itself.

Within this scenario, education takes on a strategic role: training designers means developing a critical ability to interpret change and guide it responsibly. In this perspective, memory is not a limitation to innovation, but a living structure that allows design to maintain meaning and cultural depth.