True Cost: A Swatchbox Exhibition

Swatchbox, the global sample platform for architects and designers, has unveiled its 2024 exhibition at the heart of Milan Design Week 2024.
The exhibition, titled ‘True Cost’, is located at Via Fiori Chiari, 12 at the center of the famous Brera Design District in Milan.
Visitors experience two contrasting elements of the exhibition. First, they encounter an evocative material installation built entirely of construction waste and paired with an audio-visual experience that portrays disquieting realities of the impact of construction waste on the planet.
Entering a second room of the exhibition, visitors experience the 2024 Milan Swatchbox Sample Gallery, a collection of modern materials curated by Marco Castiglioni, Senior Project Architect at Il Prisma. Each material sample on display is available to architects and designers for free through the Swatchbox Pro platform and Swatchbox Mobile App. By showcasing innovative solutions and alternatives to traditional sampling methods, the Swatchbox Sample Gallery aims to empower designers and architects to make more informed and sustainable choices in their projects.
"This exhibit is a testament to the power of design to spark meaningful conversations and drive positive change," remarked Castiglioni. "It's a reminder that we must rethink our approach to the entire construction process and prioritize sustainability in every aspect of our work."
Swatchbox has sourced real examples of material waste for the exhibition from collaborating architecture and interior design practices in Milan, including GBPA Architects, Genius Loci Architettura, Park Associati, Cino Zucchi Architetti, Il Prisma, Matteo Thun, BBA Studio, and Coima Image.
“When we first heard news of the Swatchbox exhibition that would draw attention to the unnecessary waste generated by construction, we knew we wanted to collaborate,” said Dora Renzulli of GBPA Architects. “The sheer volume of materials that firms like ours work with every month is difficult to grasp until you see it in person.”
"We wanted to create a space that not only captivates the eye but also challenges the status quo," explains Isabella Maiocchi, Regional Manager at Swatchbox. "The traditional approach to construction is undeniably wasteful, and it's imperative that we, as an industry, acknowledge and address this issue."