Milan Design Week 2025 - Geoffrey Bawa Collection Launch

Image : Phantom Hands

By

Phantom Hands-Media

Date

09.05.2025

Phantom Hands launched the Geoffrey Bawa Collection at Milan Design Week 2025, with an exhibition at the INODA+SVEJE gallery in Brera from April 7th to 13th.

Exhibition set up.

Three years in the making and developed in close collaboration with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, the exhibition featured re-editions of the late Sri Lankan architect’s iconic pieces of furniture, lighting and objects, designed between the mid 1960s and mid 1990s for various projects.

Setting up the tapestry before the exhibition opening.

Tapestry

Apart from the furniture, the highlight of the exhibition was the special tapestry created by Phantom Hands‘ artisans. The fabric tapestry was custom designed by Aparna Rao, co-founder of Phantom Hands, to bring an element of Bawa‘s architecture and context into the exhibition setting. The meticulously hand stitched tapestry depicted the famous garden room in Lunuganga, Bawa's country estate home.

Tapestry view 1.
Tapestry view 2.
Tapestry view 3.
Scenes from the press preview evening.

Press Preview

The press preview on the opening day had over thirty curious journalists from leading global design publications and magazines in attendance, setting the tone for the rest of the exhibition.

Channa Daswatte conducting a walkthrough of the exhibition.

Channa Daswatte

Channa Daswatte, chairperson of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust and one of Sri Lanka‘s best known contemporary architect was present at the exhibition for the first three days. A close associate of Bawa in the final years of Bawa‘s practice was involved in the creation of several pieces of furniture designed by Bawa‘s practice, especially for the Kandalama Hotel.

Channa Daswatte narrating the story behind a Bawa designed ashtray to Komal Sharma, editorial head of AD India (standing), Mridul Pathak Kundu and Shriti Das (seated, Editors, Elle Decor India).

Channa conducted multiple tours of the furniture on display, replete with anecdotal stories of their creation, a real treat for visitors.

A typical afternoon at the exhibition.

Salone Impact

What is special about Milan Design Week is that it literally becomes the centre of the design universe for the week. We were delighted to meet and introduce the Geoffrey Bawa Collection to many of our retail partners, architects, interior designer clients, journalists and of course all the new connections we made.

Material samples on display.

New Materials

The exhibition was an opportunity for us to showcase and introduce the new set of materials and making techniques we've adapted or developed for the Bawa collection - red oak, leather, concrete aggregate, marble tiles, batik fabrics, etc.

Exhibition display with the Lunuganga Dining Table and Kandalama Lounge Chairs.
A list of collaborators who supported the making the of Bawa collection.
Exhibition view with Saddle Chairs, De Saram Centre Table and the No. 11 Guest Suite Sofa.

The Geoffrey Bawa Collection Catalogue can be downloaded here.

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