Salone del Mobile 2026 Taps OMA for Its Masterplan

The Salone del Mobile.Milano has officially pulled back the curtain on its 64th edition, revealing an ambitious framework for the landmark event set to unfold from April 21 to 26, 2026. This year, the premier design fair is not just a marketplace; it is a sprawling cultural and economic infrastructure project. A major announcement is the appointment of the world-renowned architecture firm OMA, led by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten, to design the masterplan for the new “Salone Contract” initiative.

A Strategic Shift in Design Curation

The Salone del Mobile 2026 is moving beyond its traditional format. This edition introduces a long-term strategy focused on curatorial depth and cross-sector dialogue. At the heart of this evolution is Salone Contract, a multi-year project designed to address the growing complexity of large-scale commissions in hospitality, retail, and workplace design. The initiative will be introduced through a thematic itinerary and a public lecture by Rem Koolhaas, laying the groundwork for a full exhibition in 2027. This positions architectural research as a key driver for industrial strategy.

The main entrances to the Salone del Mobile 2026, showcasing the scale and modern architecture of the Fiera Milano, Rho exhibition center. — The entrances to the Fiera Milano, Rho, ready to welcome over 1,900 exhibitors for the international design event. Image © Giulia Copercini

Unifying the Visitor Experience

This year’s communication campaign, “A Matter of Salone,” centers on the essential role of materials in the design process. The campaign’s visual narrative informs a reworked visitor experience, supported by a new wayfinding system aimed at improving accessibility and orientation across the vast Fiera Milano fairgrounds. This focus on a cohesive journey helps connect the various exhibitions, including the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, and the biennial EuroCucina, into a single, legible ecosystem. The goal is to transform the complex event into an interconnected and easily navigable experience, reinforcing Milan’s status as the global capital of design.

A portrait of architect Rem Koolhaas, who has been appointed by Salone del Mobile 2026 to design the "Salone Contract" masterplan. — Architect Rem Koolhaas of OMA, who will lead the strategic masterplan for the new Salone Contract initiative. Image © Vincent van den Hoogen, Courtesy of OMA

Expanding the Architectural Dialogue

The Salone del Mobile 2026 continues its commitment to fostering new talent and ideas. SaloneSatellite will once again feature 700 designers under 35, highlighting emerging practices from around the globe. Furthermore, new projects like Salone Raritas, which is dedicated to collectible and limited-edition design, and immersive installations such as Aurea. An Architectural Fiction, expand the fair’s scope. By integrating interior design, craftsmanship, and spatial experimentation, the fair continues to be a critical platform for the future of architectural design. With its blend of established brands and emerging voices, the Salone del Mobile 2026 promises to be an essential destination for anyone passionate about the future of design and the built environment.

A conceptual visual for the Salone Raritas project, featuring abstract forms and a focus on material texture and collectible design. — The visual identity for Salone Raritas, a new project dedicated to collectible and limited-edition design. Image © Formafantasma

What are your thoughts on this strategic shift for the Salone del Mobile?

A Quick Architectural Snapshot

The event will span over 169,000 square meters at Fiera Milano, Rho, hosting more than 1,900 exhibitors from 32 countries. The program features four annual exhibitions and the return of two biennial shows focused on kitchen and bathroom innovation, emphasizing sustainability and new domestic and collective spaces.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The increasing complexity of the global contract furnishing sector, which now generates value through integrated systems and data, places systemic pressure on the traditional trade fair model. In response, the institution is transitioning the event from a temporary marketplace into a permanent cultural and economic infrastructure.

This strategic pivot necessitates treating the event’s structure as a design problem itself. The commissioning of an architectural firm known for strategic analysis to develop a “master plan” is a direct outcome of this decision. The resulting framework a multi-year research initiative, curated itineraries, and enhanced wayfinding is the logical symptom of an industry attempting to manage its own scale and complexity to maintain market dominance.