Photos of the installation on site will follow.
Munich/Milan. Presenting A Garden of Curiosity – an
immersive installation cocreated by MINI and Paul Smith for the Salone
del Mobile. Set in the historic Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda in Milan, A
Garden of Curiosity adds yet another highlight to the rich history the
collaborators already share. Connected by their British heritage and
iconic designs, the two design houses come together to celebrate
optimism, curiosity and innovative spirit. The installation combines
Paul Smith’s signature use of colour with the eye for detail for which
MINI is renowned and invites visitors to explore and enjoy the playful
world of design.
“Paul Smith and MINI complement one another perfectly, as our
collaboration for this project demonstrates once again. We are united
by the joy of design, and our shared enthusiasm for craftsmanship,
innovation and individuality makes A Garden of Curiosity an experience
full of colour, sound and expression,” said Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design.
Visitors immerse themselves in colour and sound: an experience
for all the senses
Set amid the enchanted garden of the Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda, the
installation is accessed via a wooden footbridge that takes visitors
across the courtyard and through a red door. The door represents a
symbolic invitation to look and see. On the other side is the green
space created by MINI and Paul Smith. It consists of pathways that are
lined with plants and grasses and lead to open platforms and cubic
installations. The iconic Paul Smith Signature Stripe runs discreetly
through the garden as a recurring design element. Architecture,
textures, colour and sound converge to create sensory experiences.
Interactive theme rooms
The Colour Theory Room acts as a visual intersection between Paul
Smith’s signature colour palette and the colours of the new MINI Paul
Smith Edition. Visitors can arrange colour samples on an interactive
wall, the overall picture changing constantly throughout the day with
each new personal design. In keeping with the philosophy of Sir Paul,
the wall also gives visitors the opportunity to experiment with colour
combinations.
The Listening Room builds on this experience with Sir Paul’s voice
recordings, highlighting the importance of colour theory. Another open
platform invites visitors to experience the space with all their
senses, allowing them to consciously enjoy a moment away from the
hustle and bustle of Milan.
Adding the joy of discovery to the installation, the new MINI Cooper
Convertible Paul Smith Edition is waiting to be found and invites
visitors to take a closer look. Its appearance and details not only
reflect Paul Smith’s distinctive style, but also capture the brand’s
playful, optimistic and independent spirit. This exclusive highlight
of the installation merges into the charming overall scene.
“I’ve always adored my visits to Milan for Salone del Mobile and I’m
delighted to be back in the city to introduce the world of design to
my new MINI. I look forward to sharing this special project with you
all,” said Sir Paul Smith.
Heritage meets curiosity
Walking through the courtyard to the installation, visitors are
immersed in the history of MINI and Paul Smith. Here, they can explore
three cars from the collaboration between the two companies, which
stretches back to 1998: the Paul Smith 40th Anniversary Mini, the MINI
STRIP by Paul Smith and another MINI Cooper from the latest Edition.
The specially created colour Nottingham Green adds stylish accents to
the Edition’s mirror caps, octagonal radiator grille and wheel hub
covers with Paul Smith lettering. A selection of others details also
reflect the distinctive style of Paul Smith and ensure this MINI
Edition captures the essence of ‘classic with a twist’.
The Paul Smith 40th Anniversary Mini: A one-off car from 1999, whose
bodywork morphed into a living work of art with 86 stripes in 26
colours. The interior also contained surprising use of colour (e.g.
the lime green glove compartment) and highlighted Paul Smith’s playful style.
The MINI STRIP by Paul Smith: Another one-of-a-kind creation, the
MINI STRIP of 2021 – based on the MINI Cooper – was reduced to the
essentials, as per the principle of ‘less is more’. The minimalist
design put the focus on construction and function, with the aim of
showcasing a new-at-the-time, responsible approach to design.
A Garden of Curiosity will be open on 21 – 26 April 2026 as part of
the Salone del Mobile in Milan. It can be visited in the House of MINI
at Via A. Manzoni 41 each day between 10.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m.