Curated by ArchiRev Editorial | Feature Story | Published May 5th, 2026 | Source: Snøhetta
Typologies: Installation & Commissions
Status: Completed
Location: Milan, Italy
Client: VitrA
VitrA and Snøhetta created the Ceramics Forged in Light installation for Milan Design Week 2026 as part of the INTERNI MATERIAE program. The installation’s goal is to provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind sensory experience while also teaching them about how ceramics change over time when exposed to elements such as light, water, and air.
The installation is set in the FuoriSalone environment, where the combination of artistry and modern industrial production processes has resulted in new ways to manufacture ceramic goods and reimagine the borders between traditional methods and innovative solutions. The materials used to make the exhibit will likewise experience a constant transformation from one form to another, producing a cycle of natural process and synthesis.
Space Composition with Ceramic Basins and Surfaces © Snøhetta
These transitions are created by light, sound, and feel, which shine through an oculus and other materials, creating reference points from old bathhouse environments to how environments have changed throughout time. Each of these factors can have an impact on ceramics such as bowls and jars, as well as the surfaces of displays constructed with them.
Light Interacts with Ceramic Textures © Snøhetta
A bowl (of water) sits at the center of the construction, reflecting the other elements on show and causing minor distortions in your perception of them. The surface of the body of water acts as a mirror and a threshold for the ceramic material (which is constantly in transition).
A reflective water basin with surrounding ceramic forms © Snøhetta
The studio’s main gathering and working space is a sizable social table. This table will be utilized for group lunches, “having quick staff meetings,” and collaborative work sessions, with a focus on workers getting together to talk about design work. In keeping with the studio’s philosophy of equal involvement and transparency, this table will also be a public space where anybody can utilize it.
Adaptable workspace with areas for casual collaboration © Snøhetta
A tranquil environment was created using various scents, textures, and noises. Light represents fire, which is how ceramics are made with clay-based materials. Water also serves as a fresh source of creation and a component in the ceramic recycling process. All three parts work together to generate a sensory-based narrative that may be experienced over time, enabling a more gradual level of involvement.
This project explores the concept of circular design from a broader perspective, taking into account the complete experience of a physical location. By demonstrating how ceramics have progressed through their life cycle, the exhibition demonstrates how materials can be understood and how technology can interact with them, establishing sustainability as a vital component of design.
The show Ceramics Forged in Light is based on a simple composition and an elemental quality, with architecture serving as a means of contemplation. The goal of this show is to urge visitors to consider the materials used to make ceramics, their origins, transitions, and future changes. The display challenges visitors to consider how light, material, and time constantly interact with one another.