Back to the Future Installation by AB+AC Architects – A Hypnotic Fusion of Heritage and Futurism at Fuori Salone 2023

 Architects:AB+AC Architects 

During the 61st edition of Fuori Salone in Milan, luxury handcrafted surfaces brand Fantini Mosaici invited Lisbon-based studio AB+AC Architects to design a temporary installation marking the location of its upcoming first Milan showroom at Foro Bonaparte 68. Titled "Back to the Future", the installation transforms traditional craftsmanship into a futuristic, immersive sensory journey.

A Concept Bridging Past, Present, and Future

The installation celebrates the legacy of Italian mosaic, terrazzo, pebblestone, and marble artistry while reimagining these millennial techniques for contemporary and future design contexts. Fantini Mosaici, with over 123 years of expertise, is globally recognized for bespoke, high-end surfaces in luxury hotels, designer boutiques, residences, sacred spaces, and governmental projects. This project is both a tribute to that heritage and a challenge to evolve it—where low-tech artisanal skill meets high-tech spatial imagination.

A Two-Part Spatial Experience

The 50-square-meter installation unfolds across two sequential rooms, each offering a distinct atmosphere:

1. Reception & Reflection Zone Visitors first enter a dimly lit reception area, a transitional space allowing the eyes to adjust and the mind to prepare for the visual and tactile encounter ahead. Here, the floor features a hand-drawn, wave-pattern mosaic crafted from Black Portoro and Light Orobico marble, symbolizing the fluidity of tradition over time. Informative displays invite guests to explore Fantini Mosaici’s rich history, craftsmanship techniques, and portfolio.
2. Immersive Kaleidoscopic Room Passing through sensual, layered curtains, visitors step into a surreal kaleidoscopic chamber. The floor becomes a custom 3D mosaic of floating pyramids, surrounded by a grid of terrazzo portals that create the illusion of an infinite universe. This otherworldly space blurs boundaries between physical architecture and perceptual depth, encouraging visitors to lose themselves in a futuristic landscape of endless possibilities.

Craftsmanship Meets Cutting-Edge Design

“Back to the Future” is more than an installation—it’s a statement on design evolution. It demonstrates how ancient techniques can be adapted for modern immersive environments, preserving heritage craftsmanship while speaking the language of contemporary architecture. The project’s success lies in the synthesis of tactile materiality and spatial illusion, a hallmark of AB+AC Architects’ approach.

All  photographs are works of  Nicola Gnesi