In a showcase supported by Pro Helvetia at Milan Design Week, Swiss designer Noelani Rutz presented a project that explored the creative dialogue between two different regions. Roddy Clarke reports
Photograpy © Agnese Bedini DSL Studio, Switzerland presented Shared Matter, an exhibition by Pro Helvetia at Milan Design Week which included the clay tile collection of Noelani Rutz
Words by Roddy Clarke
Based in Zurich, Swiss product designer Noelani Rutz has been fascinated by the ephemeral beauty of natural materials for some time. Her most recent project, Fleeting Landscapes, pays homage to that passion, exploring the abstract patterns obtained from snow shortly before it melts away. The result is a collection of clay tiles that display unique imprints captured in the snow, developed in 2025 with Japanese tile manufacturers Tajimi Custom Tiles and Sugiura Seito Co. Ltd. The project was conceived as part of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia’s ‘Design with Japan’ program and was subsequently on show at Milan Design Week as part of the organisation’s collective showcase ‘Shared Matter’.
Photography © Jonas Marguet, Noelani Rutz pictured in the studio alongside the Fleeting Landscapes collection
The project subtly captures layers of narrative in it. With both Japan and Switzerland adapting to snow’s transient presence, it speaks to the seasonal and ecological fragility of it while also alluding to climate’s evolving response to human impact. Spending a month in Japan working closely with Tajimi Custom Tiles, Rutz states this experience allowed her to explore initial ideas, but it wasn’t where the idea was fully formed. ‘I learnt a lot about tile manufacturing in a very hands-on way,’ she explains, ‘but the final direction of the project came later, during a ski tour in the Swiss mountains.’ In a moment of observation when walking up to the top of the slope, she says the slow ascent gave her time to become more aware of the nuanced and continually shifting qualities of snow, its changing textures and surface conditions. ‘I also saw it as a material that could connect the two countries, especially the northern part of Japan in a subtle and meaningful way,’ she says.
Photography ©Luca A. Caizzi, Fleeting Landscapes captures the ephemeral patterns found in snow and the transient narratives behind them
Blending her inspiration with the delicate precision of Japanese craftsmanship, she says it was the sensitivity of the region’s creativity that invited her to work in a quieter, more observant way. ‘It encouraged me to slow down and pay closer attention,’ she comments, ‘which affected the way I looked at snow when I was back in Switzerland.’ The collection consists of three different imprints, subtly captured through a glazed white palette. Set against the vibrant blue backdrop of Pro Helvetia’s Shared Matter exhibit in Milan, the tiles came to life, complementing the work of other regional talent including Panter&Tourron and Lausanne-based studio iiode.
Photography © Agnese Bedini DSL Studio, Set within SPAZIOVENTO in Milan, the collective exhibition brought multiple Swiss designers together, allowing a dynamic dialogue to form between them and with the space itself
‘The response in Milan was positive as I witnessed how people engaged with the material qualities of the work,’ she reflects. ‘Many took the time to listen and look closely at the surfaces, which is important given its subtle nature.’ Allowing for a dynamic exchange between multiple designers, the collective showcase paid tribute to Pro Helvetia’s overall mission in spotlighting regional talent. ‘We create platforms that are intended for long-lasting encounters, while giving space to each individual studio and designer to develop at their own pace and on their own terms,’ explains Marie Mayoly, Head of International Platforms for Design at Pro Helvetia. ‘The contexts we develop are designed for all parties to be heard and to hopefully feel safe to engage in and pursue collaborations.’
Photography © Agnese Bedini DSL Studio, Fleeting Landscapes will also be on display at the upcoming 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen where viewers will see it as part of a shelving system offering architects and designers the opportunity to visualise its multiple applications
While exquisitely subtle in its aesthetic, Rutz hopes that it can encourage a more attentive way of looking. ‘It’s about bringing in the subtleties, the atmosphere, and the feeling of these natural conditions back into interiors in a quiet and indirect way,’ she says. ‘When observing the details of seemingly simple materials found in nature, it highlights how complex and variable they can be.’ She hopes the project will go on to find new applications within the architectural and interior worlds. ‘I am interested in working closely with architects and interiors designers to explore their integration into specific projects,’ she continues, ‘as they are designed to be used as surface elements that respond to light and spatial conditions.’
The designer will also be taking part in 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen’s ever-growing annual design show, presenting a tile shelving system again in partnership with Tajimi Custom Tiles and supported by Pro Helvetia. ‘Engaging with international audiences is important for gaining different perspectives and expanding the reach of the work,’ she says. ‘It also creates opportunities for collaboration and professional exchange. For me, this kind of exchange is valuable. It is about connecting with like-minded people, on a community level. In the end, we’re all in a similar position, enjoying the same aspects of the work and struggling with similar questions, so there’s something very bonding in that.’
The Fleeting Landscapes Tile Collection is available directly through Tajimi Custom Tiles.
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