‘CERAMICS FORGED IN LIGHT’ INSTALLATION AT MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2026
Snøhetta and VitrA Bathrooms and Tiles have joined forces for Milan Design Week 2026 to present ‘Ceramics Forged in Light,’ an installation that challenges our perception of industrial waste. Occupying a central position within the Interni ‘MATERIAE’ exhibition, the project marks VitrA Bathroom and Tiles’ twentieth year in Milan by subverting the traditional lifecycle of ceramic.
The space, designed in collaboration with the transdisciplinary studio, functions as a sensory path, using water, light, and clay to physically guide visitors through the different stages of ceramic production — from its raw, liquid origins to its final, fired form. Deepening its tie to sustainability, the installation centers around the debut of the nova vita recycled tile collection and recycled ceramic washbasin.
Snøhetta and VitrA Bathrooms and Tiles present ‘Ceramics Forged in Light’ during Milan Design Week | all images courtesy of VitrA Bathrooms
SNØHETTA AND VITRA BATHROOMS COMMIT TO CIRCULAR DESIGN
The collaboration between VitrA Bathrooms and Tiles and the renowned architecture studio stems from a shared commitment to material stewardship. While the global bathroom manufacturer approaches ceramic design as an elemental foundation for the modern bathroom, Snøhetta views it as a medium to delve into human-centered experiences and environmental integrity. Aligned with the ‘Materiae’ theme, the creative partnership explores how the fundamental elements of ceramic production — water, light, and clay — can be harnessed through circular design. By treating industrial waste as a premium resource rather than a byproduct, the duo transforms the necessity of green production into a space that honors the value of recovered materials.
NovaPetra | 100% pecycled porcelain tile collection
THE RECYCLED CERAMIC WASHBASIN
Through a regenerative manufacturing concept, VitrA Bathrooms and Tiles reintegrates industrial waste back into the production cycle to minimize environmental impact. The biggest achievement of the company’s extensive research and experimentation is the recycled ceramic washbasin, produced from waste materials of the manufacturing process that would otherwise be discarded. By prioritizing the reuse of existing resources over the extraction of new raw minerals, the project significantly lowers its environmental footprint. This commitment to a sustainable future is woven into every stage of the basin’s creation, from the careful reclamation of manufacturing remnants to a production phase powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including electricity harvested from the brand’s own solar power plants.
reclycled ceramic washbasin finished in a soft matte beige
Beyond technical specifications, the collection encourages conscious consumption through a timeless aesthetic. The recycled washbasins are finished in a soft, matte beige – a natural hue that reflects their unrefined origins – and are available in five distinct geometric forms, ranging from sharp rectangles to soft asymmetrical ovals.
The circular ethos extends further into the nova vita porcelain tiles, which are crafted with recycled material and verified by SCS Global Services. Together, VitrA Bathrooms and Tiles and Snøhetta demonstrate that the future of the bathroom lies in the intersection of architectural intelligence and responsible design.
available in five distinct geometric forms
VitrA Tiles’ ‘NovaFlake’ tile collection
a collection that encourages conscious consumption through a timeless aesthetic
recycled washbasin
‘NovaFlake’ porcelain tiles, crafted with recycled material
project info:
installation: ‘Ceramics Forged in the Light’
brand: VitrA Bathrooms and Tiles | @vitrabathrooms
design studio: Snøhetta | @snøhetta
location: University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7
dates: April 20-30, 2026
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