The Milano Design Week 2026 and Salone del Mobile 2026 featured an active participation by the European Council of Interior Architects this year, strengthening its international presence through a series of events and activities focused on the future of interior design and interior architecture in Europe.
One of the highlights of the week was the “Responsible Interiors” event, co-organized by ECIA together with the Associazione Italiana Progettisti d'Interni. The event took place on April 24 at Palazzo Lombardia, with the collaboration of Regione Lombardia, Fondazione Pio Manzù, and ARound Design as media partner.
The event was divided into three discussion panels focused on the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary interior design. The first panel, titled “Safety, Inclusivity and Beauty in Interior Design,” was opened by ECIA President Thomas Seifert and featured contributions from Franco Caimi, Maurizio Favetta, Massimo Duroni, and Rama Gheerawo. The discussion explored the role of design in creating safer, more inclusive, and aesthetically engaging spaces.
The second panel, “The Role of Design in the Future of European Professional Standards,” focused on current European standards in interior design and interior architecture, with special attention given to the new UNI 12001 standard. The discussion included interventions by Antonio D. De Antonis, as well as René Pier, Luciano Perondi, and Favio Rossi, among other experts from the sector. Both panels were moderated by May Fawzy.
The event concluded with an inspiring keynote speech by renowned designer Karim Rashid, who shared his vision of the future of design, the evolution of the profession, and the transformative role of interior design in contemporary society.
In addition to “Responsible Interiors,” ECIA also took part in the event “Interior Design without Borders, from Spain to Europe,” organized by the Basque Living Cluster together with the Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Decoradores y Diseñadores de Interior. The event focused on the profession from a European perspective, while also offering an overview of the current state of interior design in Spain, presented by Unai Sanz. The discussion also addressed the importance of the furniture industry in the future of interior architecture, with participation from Sokoa. The session was moderated by Andoni Diaz.
To conclude the week, ECIA representatives visited the showroom of Extremis, a Belgian manufacturer specializing in outdoor furniture. ECIA expressed its gratitude for the opportunity to attend such a special event, connect with fellow professionals, and discover the brand firsthand.
ECIA described its participation in Milano Design Week 2026 as highly positive and enriching, highlighting the event as a source of inspiration and new ideas for future European projects and collaborations.