After partnering with Flamingo Estate in an immersive installation at Milan Design Week, ICON caught up with Kohler’s Vice President of Global Design to discuss rituals and the company’s sensorial approach to bathroom design
Photography courtesy of Kohler
With Milan Design Week a feast for the senses, Kohler’s impressive installation certainly made its mark. Conceived in partnership with Richard Christiansen, Founder of Flamingo Estate, The Flamingo Estate Bathhouse by Kohler invited visitors into an immersive sensorial environment where products were positioned amongst spaces that offered escapism and contemplation, a reflection of Kohler’s response to the increased desire for rituals in the home.
Speaking with Michael Seum, the Vice President of Global Design for Kohler, he says the partnership with Flamingo Estate was a natural fit thanks to a shared belief that everyday rituals can be elevated into something deeply restorative and emotionally resonant. ‘We’ve long believed that design should support well-being, craftsmanship and a more intentional way of living,’ he says, ‘and Flamingo Estate approaches lifestyle through a similar lens rooted in nature, sensory experience and authenticity.’
Photography courtesy of Kohler
Located within the peaceful courtyard of Milan’s Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea, a brutalist structure took centre stage, directly referencing the bathhouse from the Flamingo Estate in California. Emerging from a wildflower meadow meticulously planted by landscape designer Derek Castiglioni, the enclosure was brought to life with intricate stained-glass windows by Milan-based artisan Samuele Dossena offering a colourful glimpse to the interior of the bathhouse.
Photography courtesy of Kohler
Upon entering, visitors were immediately transported into a calming retreat, centred around Kohler’s Reverie, a new expression of the company’s iconic freestanding enamelled cast iron bath. Clad in a copper made from at least 80% recycled materials, the striking design paid homage to Kohler’s consistent innovation while a bespoke scent and soundtrack enhanced and perfectly completed the experience.
‘It became an opportunity to explore how water, architecture, materiality and landscape come together as a single, interdependent experience,’ explains Seum. ‘It also reflected our shared commitment to enduring wellness through a design philosophy grounded in reciprocity with nature. Collaborations like this allow us to push creative boundaries while remaining rooted in craftsmanship, artistry and meaningful innovation.’
While the scale of the structure would ordinarily feel imposing, Christiansen’s vision exuded a serenity that felt welcoming and inviting. Pollinator baths designed for the installation were placed amongst the wildflowers, transforming the stone-clad courtyard into a soft haven buzzing with biodiversity.
‘The connection to nature is deeply aligned with Kohler’s long-term approach to sustainability and responsible design,’ Seum continues. ‘The new bath is designed for longevity and combines enduring quality with craftsmanship rooted in responsible making. For us, sustainability is not separate from design, it is embedded within it.’
Photography courtesy of Kohler
The candles inside the Bathhouse were created by Flamingo Estate specifically for the installation, drawing attention to the calming benefits of wellness rituals. With a scent inspired by a walk through Milan’s city streets and its local flora, it was a conscious reflection of the shift that Kohler is seeing in the value placed on rituals that shape everyday life. ‘The home has become increasingly intentional and wellness-centred,’ states Seum. ‘Clients are seeking spaces that support both physical and emotional well-being and we’re reimagining bathing as a restorative ritual that slows the body, quiets the mind, and heightens awareness of light, water, and material.’
During the hectic schedules of Milan Design Week, the tranquil escape offered within the Flamingo Bathhouse was a welcome reprieve. It was also a reminder of how, at the heart of our busy lives and demanding workloads, small moments of calm and restoration can be carved out through design. ‘We’re seeing growing demand for spaces that not only function beautifully, but also that create emotional resonance and foster a deeper connection to wellness and nature,’ he concludes. And, as I emerged back onto Milan’s busy streets, I realised my own emulations of this notable demand from Kohler’s audience and a strong desire to feel more connected to the spaces I inhabit.
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