Through an evocative dialogue between speculative objects and future sustainable habitats for the Moon, the installation, inspired by lunar landscapes explores the boundary between truth and imagination, within the exhibition-event INTERNI Cre-Action at Fuorisalone 2025.

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 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.

The installation, shaped as a geodesic dome, invites visitors to reflect on the adaptability of design in extraterrestrial contexts, comparing speculative design and scientific solutions and transforming 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.

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 until full capacity is reach at Aula del Senato Accademico of the Università degli Studi di Milano.

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. The event will also be live streamed on NABA YouTube channel.

Design for the Moon - Credits

Project by: NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti and The Design School at Arizona State University, ASU

Curated for NABA: Claudio Larcher, Design Area Leader, and Luca Poncellini, Design and Applied Arts Department Head; for ASU, Arizona State University: Luis Angarita, Hazal Gümüş Çiftçi, Elena Rocchi e Guglielmo Trotti (ASTROTERRA Collective)

With NABA Design Area students: Gabriela Alvarez Jaramillo, Simone Barattin, Gaetan Bernimont, Matteo Bragalini, Massimiliano Cattaneo, Carlo Cipolla, Gaia Colella, Eleonora Coppola, Filippo Deodato, Alessandro Fedele, Lorenzo Ferrara, Federico Giuberti, Michele Malerba, Aurora Marelli, Shuling Mei, Roberto Milanetto, Sanyuktaa Paatil, Liu Peiyan, Francesco Quaranta, Giulio Roversi, Sofia Schartner

Coordinated by: Sofia D’Andrea, NABA Design Area Academic Assistant, Ernesto Iadevaia, NABA lecturer, Carmelo Zocco, Design Area Laboratory Manager, Silvia Fiorini, Design Area Laboratory Specialist

With ASU students of Industrial Design and Space Architecture programs: Fern Alcala, Shubh Agrawal, Malek Attar, Arbaz Khan, Jared Morris, Viraj Nikam, Logan Northrop, Enhui Shao, Benjamin Smith, Haley Smallwood, Maulik Solanki, Tushar Singh, Shardul Shrungare, Kevin Taylor, Arpan Vora

Thanks for the extraordinary participation: Paolo Nespoli

Technical Partners: Zanotta, Abet HTS, 4BILD, Sharebot

NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti with ASU Arizona State University

“Design for the Moon”

at INTERNI Cre-Action

Cortile d’Onore dell’Università degli Studi di Milano  - Via Festa del Perdono, 7

INTERNI Cre-Action open to the public: 7-17 april 2025

7-13 april from h. 10 AM to 12 PM, last access 11.30 PM
14-16 april from h. 10 AM to 20 PM, ultimo ingresso 9.30 PM

17 april from h. 10 AM to 6 PM

Talk with Paolo Nespoli, former astronaut from ESA

“Esperienze personali dopo quasi un anno di vita sulla ISS”

Aula del Senato Accademico, Università degli Studi di Milano - Via Festa del Perdono, 7

Wednesday 9 april, h. 11 AM

Free access until full capacity is reached

Live streaming on NABA YouTube channel