During Milan Design Week 2026, British designer Tom Dixon and his interior design agency, Design Research Studio, hosted a multi-brand residency at the Mulino Estate. The exhibition marked the debut of Dixon’s AW26 collections and featured a collaborative installation with office furniture leaders Coalesse and Viccarbe.
The residency was centered around a preview of the Mua Mua Hotel, a new concept situated within the historic Mulino Estate. Originally designed in 1929 by Chiodi and Gio Ponti, the complex has been under the ownership of the Virga family since 1955. Curated by Ludovica Virga as a multidisciplinary hub, the property also features a garage, central courtyard, and original Gio Ponti grain silos. Following the Design Week residency, the estate will transition into a fully operational hotel.
Coalesse and Viccarbe took over the estate’s garage to present meaningful communal spaces in an immersive experience where workspace meets disco. The showcase explored the blurred lines between professional and social spheres, featuring a curated installation of Coalesse, Viccarbe and Tom Dixon designs.
The layout was split to demonstrate a seamless transition: a focused office environment on one side and a vibrant lounge-to-party atmosphere on the other.
“What we wanted to do here with Coalesse was create a lounge where you could work and play,” designer Tom Dixon explained. “One set of furniture can have two lives.”
Outside in the courtyard, the “Work Hard, Play Hard” theme continued with an outdoor collection featuring Viccarbe and Tom Dixon, highlighting the ultimate versatility of modern design.
