Munich/Milan. MINI and Paul Smith have collaborated to create A Garden of Curiosity, an immersive installation for the Salone del Mobile 2026. Located in the historic Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda in Milan, this project further highlights the longstanding partnership between the two British design icons. The installation aims to celebrate innovation and creativity through a vibrant exploration of colour and form.
A Sensory Experience
Visitors enter A Garden of Curiosity via a wooden footbridge that crosses a courtyard and passes through a striking red door, symbolising an invitation to explore. Inside, the installation showcases pathways adorned with plants and grasses, leading to platforms and cubic structures. A continuous motif of Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe threads through the garden, merging architecture, textures, colour, and sound into a cohesive sensory experience.
Interactive Spaces
The Colour Theory Room serves as a visual nexus, where Paul Smith’s distinctive palette meets the hues of the new MINI Paul Smith Edition. Here, guests can manipulate colour samples on an interactive wall, creating a dynamic visual display that evolves throughout the day. This aligns with Sir Paul’s philosophy of encouraging colour experimentation.
Next is The Listening Room, featuring audio recordings from Sir Paul that underscore the significance of colour theory. Another open platform invites visitors to engage fully with the space, offering a momentary escape from Milan’s bustling atmosphere.
Showcasing the MINI Cooper Convertible Paul Smith Edition
At the heart of the installation lies the new MINI Cooper Convertible Paul Smith Edition. This model embodies Paul Smith’s unique aesthetic while also reflecting MINI’s playful and optimistic spirit. Its design details seamlessly integrate into the overall charm of the installation.
“I’ve always adored my visits to Milan for Salone del Mobile, and I’m delighted to present my new MINI,” said Sir Paul Smith, expressing his enthusiasm for this special project.
A Legacy of Collaboration
As visitors journey through the courtyard towards the installation, they encounter three notable cars from the ongoing partnership between MINI and Paul Smith that began in 1998. These include the Paul Smith 40th Anniversary Mini, the minimalist MINI STRIP by Paul Smith from 2021, and another recent MINI Cooper model.
The specially crafted Nottingham Green colour on the latest edition adds stylish accents to features such as mirror caps and wheel hub covers, showcasing Paul Smith’s distinctive design approach. The original Paul Smith 40th Anniversary Mini, created in 1999, featured a body covered in 86 stripes across 26 colours, while the MINI STRIP exemplified a ‘less is more’ philosophy by focusing on essential construction and function.
Event Details
A Garden of Curiosity will be accessible from 21 to 26 April 2026 as part of the Salone del Mobile in Milan. The installation can be found at the House of MINI located at Via A. Manzoni 41, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
© BMW Group
