On the occasion of Milano Design Week 2025, the leading international event for the design world, NABA, in collaboration with The Design School at Arizona State University - ASU, will present the installation “Design for the Moon” within the exhibition-event INTERNI Cre-Action at Fuorisalone 2025, scheduled from April 7 to 17 in the Cortile d’Onore of the Università degli Studi di Milano (Via Festa del Perdono 7).
NABA at Milano Design Week 2025: “Design for the Moon”
The project “Design for the Moon” is curated by Claudio Larcher (NABA Design Area Leader), and Luca Poncellini (Design and Applied Arts Department Head), in collaboration with The Design School at Arizona State University - ASU, featuring Luis Angarita, Hazal Gümüş Çiftçi, Elena Rocchi, and Guillermo Trotti (ASTROTERRA collective), students from NABA’s Design Area coordinated by Sofia D’Andrea (NABA Design Area Academic Assistant) and Ernesto Iadevaia (NABA lecturer), along with students from ASU’s Industrial Design and Architecture/Space Architecture programmes.
Through an evocative dialogue between speculative objects and future sustainable habitats for the Moon, the installation, inspired by lunar landscapes and shaped as a geodesic dome, invites visitors to reflect on the adaptability of design in extraterrestrial contexts, exploring the boundary between speculative design and scientific solutions. The installation transforms into a “lunar living room”, where visitors are invited to recline on the iconic Sacco armchairs by Zanotta and gaze at the “Moon” from within, creating a moment of pause and reflection.
Inside, a series of 3D-printed tools created by NABA Design Area students reimagine everyday objects, showcasing an anthropological approach to design and allowing visitors to envision human experiences on the Moon. Completing the installation, a film and 3D projects related to space architecture and design, developed by students from the Space Architecture courses at The Design School at Arizona State University ASU, offer further insight into exploring extraterrestrial habitats.
On the opening day of the INTERNI Cre-Action exhibition, April 7, the installation "Design for the Moon" will be completed with a performative action exploring the lunar theme through the expressive use of spray paint. An abstract map inspired by lunar landscapes will gradually take shape throughout the day, as the contrast between the white surface of the geodesic structure and the metallic shades of grey applied by a group of Alumni from NABA’s Visual Arts Area comes to life.
NABA at Milano Design Week 2025: the talk “Esperienze personali dopo quasi un anno di vita sulla ISS” by Paolo Nespoli
The discussion on space environment design will be further explored in a talk by Paolo Nespoli, former astronaut of the ESA (European Space Agency), titled “Esperienze personali dopo quasi un anno di vita sulla ISS”. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 9, at 11:00 AM by invitation at the Senate Hall of the Università degli Studi di Milano and streamed live on our YouTube channel.
Drawing from his personal experience, Nespoli will offer the audience a unique perspective on designing environments aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Through a selection of images highlighting key details of space stations—many of which are relevant to the design of lunar habitats—he will share insights and lessons learned for future Moon missions.
NABA at Milano Design Week 2025: event details
Installation “Design for the Moon”
April 7–13, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM
April 14–16, from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM
April 17, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
INTERNI Cre-Action
Cortile d’Onore, Università degli Studi di Milano
Via Festa del Perdono, 7
Talk “Esperienze personali dopo quasi un anno di vita sulla ISS” with Paolo Nespoli
April 9, from 11:00 AM
Live on the Academy’s YouTube channel.