Packing up and ready to go – ahead of the furniture fair in Milan

Furniture design is an important component for architects, and a key element of architectural education. In 2026, around twenty LTH students will travel to the Milan furniture fair to exhibit works they have developed during their second year of study, under the guidance of lecturers Martin Svansjö and Marit Lindberg.

While the students wrap pieces in bubble wrap, build the stand and wait for the paint to dry before everything is packed onto Euro pallets – those travelling include the exhibitors themselves and an additional group joining to help, build, supervise and network – Per‑Johan Dahl, Head of at Architecture and Built Environment, looks forward to his visit to Salone del Mobile.

But is it really so obvious that architects should devote themselves to furniture design?

"Several influential architects have, throughout history, used furniture design to experiment with form and construction. These experiments have also been scaled up to influence how we build houses and cities. Historical examples include Charlotte Perriand and Le Corbusier, Ray and Charles Eames, Carlo Mollino – and not least Scandinavia’s own Gunnar Asplund, Sigurd Lewerentz and Arne Jacobsen."

Experiments with spatial ideas

By working with furniture, LTH’s architecture students have the opportunity to experiment with spatial ideas that can be immediately tested through the furniture’s relationship to, and impact on, the human body, says Per‑Johan Dahl.

"The students practise craftsmanship, material knowledge, construction, joining techniques and aesthetics. At the same time, furniture design gives our students the opportunity to challenge societal norms. They can quickly, and at low cost, realise ideas that may be difficult to test through building and urban design."

The Milan fair is often described as the most influential and prestigious context in the world for exhibiting furniture design, Per‑Johan Dahl explains.

"Legendary and influential designers such as the Memphis Group, Philippe Starck and Snowcrash have all exhibited their furniture at the Milan fair. In other words, it is a fantastic opportunity for our students to be exposed in this setting and to interact with such an international and dynamic environment."

Ripple effects

Building contacts with international designers, entrepreneurs, companies, media and curators becomes a learning experience in itself, and can hopefully spark curiosity about more cultures and environments. From the department’s perspective, the idea is that the Milan initiative will create ripple effects that strengthen internationalisation and collaboration.

"Personally, I look forward to meeting dedicated students who take their place with their experimental and fantastic furniture. I also hope to update myself and absorb new knowledge about contemporary and future furniture design that we can translate into research, teaching and collaboration here at LTH."