Superbloom, a multi-sensory exhibition designed by RIOS, welcomes visitors to a vivid experience inspired by Southern California blooms. The installation aims at a different approach to portraying nature as the main character of a spatial experience: it’s a continued conversation about nature and how it constantly influences and shapes our thinking as designers and humans. Superbloom is an immersive, synesthetic experience showcasing how design can steer emotions, create a moment of wonder, and joyfully bring people together.
As part of Milan Design Week 2022, Superbloom will run from June 6 – 12th. Read more information about RIOS’ Debut at Milan Design Week 2022.
The journey orients the visitor through colors, scents, and sounds across three rooms – the Rain Room, Sprout Room, and Bloom Room – each building a crescendo of activity as one approaches the final space. These rooms create simulations of biological processes such as the watering, propagation, and blooming of wildflowers.
The Rain Room sets the stage for blooms in nature with an earthy aroma and music of arrhythmic tones simulating falling rain. The immersive experience inspires people to come together in a joyous engagement with nature.
— Sebastian Salvadó, Creative Director
In the distance, the sun beckons visitors to the Sprout Room, which transitions one to the fresh air and greenery that has not yet matured to its hyperbolic state. Colors shift from deep to bright, dappled sounds fade into a wild field, and scents are aromatic, woody, and fresh. Rio Benches, designed by RIOS in collaboration with JANUS et Cie, are positioned throughout to offer a moment of respite.
Visitors are welcomed to an otherworldly dimension as they approach the Bloom Room. Filled with exaggerated and vibrant floral installations and scents that evoke a joyful experience reflective of nature’s reemergence and the concentration of energy of the Superbloom. The Bloom Room is the space of being “reborn,” where projected images and play on light accompany melodic music.
— CarloMaria Ciampoli, Studio Director of Experience Design
We harnessed collective participation across our entire office to find a body of ideas that represent RIOS’ values and aspirations. The iterative process of prototyping at full-scale and refining the materiality, form, and interaction with lights and projections highlights the pivotal role of our Fabrication Lab.
After design week, thanks to Milan-based design agency Esther Burton, the exhibition items will be donated to ‘Ai.Bi. Associazione Amici dei Bambini’, a non-profit association fighting child neglect in Italy and worldwide as well as supporting refugee Ukrainian mums with their kids in Italy. Instead of being discarded, Superbloom’s colours will bring joy in the playrooms of local welcoming structures.
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Sebastian Salvadó – Creative Director, RIOS
CarloMaria Ciampoli – Studio Director, RIOS
Simone Lapenta – Design Director, RIOS
Erin Gehle – Senior Director, Marketing + Communications, RIOS
Etosha Moh – Director of Public Relations, RIOS
Erin Williams – Senior Project Designer, RIOS
Robin Kim – Senior Project Designer, RIOS
James Chung – Design Fabrication Specialist, RIOS
Ryan Vasquez – Design Fabrication Specialist, RIOS
Treati Yazdani – Product Designer, RIOS
Anthony Nitche – Designer, Sound Composition, RIOS
MAP Design Communications – Milan PR and Press Office
Design Agency Co. – US PR and Press