Products of Hungarian design LAB curated by Rossana Orlandi will be unveiled in Milan

Launched in collaboration with the globally recognized design icon, Rossana Orlandi, the Hungarian design LAB program started in April 2023. Within the framework of the HFDA’s incubation program, five manufacturer and designer pairs have embarked on joint product development projects, each upholding an international standard of excellence. The broader public will have its first opportunity to view the outcomes of this program at an exhibition organized during the Milan Design Week, held at the prestigious Triennale Museum, from April 15 to 21, 2024.

HFDA initiated its inaugural design LAB program in 2020 with the objective of fostering collaborations among creative industry stakeholders. Year after year, the incubation program has successfully facilitated partnerships between manufacturers and designers, then in 2023, it was launched in a renewed format in collaboration with Rossana Orlandi.

The fourth iteration of the design LAB program marks a significant milestone as it is the first time local manufacturers and designers have collaborated with an international mentor throughout the product development process. Rossana Orlandi, serving as the program’s curator, has been involved in every step from the selection of project plans to the final stages. Her decades of international experience, expertise in fashion, design, and contemporary art, as well as her interest in Hungarian cultural heritage, have all contributed to the creation of products that innovatively encourage a blend of tradition and modern technology. Numerous contemporary artists have launched their careers from her gallery in Milan, including the globally renowned Jamie Hayon, whom Time Magazine listed among the 100 most influential creators of our time.

Within the framework of the design LAB curated by Rossana Orlandi program, five manufacturer and designer pairs worked together on projects selected by a professional jury. The collaboration between Barlang Műhely Kft. and Juhász Norbert (studio komok) resulted in the Átló furniture collection, born from a playful geometrical experiment. The sideboard and lounge chair highlight the diagonal as a simple geometric phenomenon, while also conveying the importance of human connections. Lumoconcept Kft., in collaboration with designer Diána Alchhabi, developed a kinetic chandelier. Inspired by the Matthias Church's bell tower, the Bloomaire elegantly combines art, nature, and technology, creating a new spatial dimension of light. The Multifelt Factory Kft. and Judit Pócs Studio combined functionality with traditions and artistic inspiration in the Szelíd Kövek product family. Inspired by sea-polished stones, the curved, felt-covered acoustic panels offer a multitude of form variations, contributing to a cozy yet modern atmosphere in communal spaces. The bridges of Budapest inspired the Pontum furniture collection, brought to life through the collaboration between Nezozen Kft. and sarakele studio. The collection's minimalist aesthetic parallels the form of bridges, reflecting the importance of building connections between people. The solid wood furniture is available in two color variations: the white collection is made of ash wood, while the black collection employs a special ancient Japanese yakisugi technique. The collaboration between Zakar Clayart Design Kft. and Dóra Abodi, artist and designer (ABODI, ABODI Ceramics), resulted in the ABODI Mythical Creatures collection, inspired by myths and folk tales. The project features ceramic objects embodying gods and creatures, born from clay, hardened by fire, and colored with a uniquely developed glaze.

A key strategic pillar of the HFDA is to assist Hungarian brands in entering international markets, with a focus on export promotion. International appearances, such as at the Milan Design Week, provide extensive visibility for local brands, contributing to these objectives. Accordingly, the agency will spotlight the completed design LAB products at an exhibition in the Triennale Museum from April 15 to 21, 2024, as part of the Milan Design Week.