ANESIS, ITALY

“I wanted the installation to have an ancient name. I chose ANESİS, which in Greek means pause, but also relaxation, the loosening of a tension. More than an installation, ANESİS is a state of mind of enchantment and tranquility. An alliance between sinuous lines, materials, and light. An inviting womb, an empty space in which to immerse oneself and emerge regenerated. You stop briefly, then depart, carrying the deep sense of harmony between humans and nature. The origin.”

For the Milan Design Week 2025, the renowned Milanese gallery Rossana Orlandi is hosting ‘ANESIS’ an installation designed by Giuliana Salmaso with DIASEN, a leading Marche-based company in bio-architecture, which transforms the gallery’s courtyard into a restorative oasis. 

The pavilion presents itself as a small, monolithic architecture with a biomorphic shape, entirely coated in Diathonite. Diathonite is a natural, cork-based material created by Diasen that evokes the warm tones of Mediterranean sand. Its soft texture, both visually and to the touch, amplifies the project’s sense of harmony.

Conceived as an experiential journey from chaos to calm, the installation guides visitors through a path of inner transformation.

Upon crossing the threshold, one enters a vaulted room featuring a large central oculus whose proportions recall the Pantheon. The gaze is naturally drawn toward the sky, creating a symbolic connection between the human being and the universe. This experience evokes the Paleolithic initiatory caves, suggesting a symbolic journey of introspection and rebirth.

Guided by the light, one arrives in an open-air environment where water, plants, and the warm, material tones of the Diasen finishes create a relaxing atmosphere and invite a pause. It’s a place where time seems to slow down, allowing one to regain contact with oneself and with nature.

The architecture of ANESIS is rooted in the scientific principles of restorativeness and biophilic design. These fields demonstrate that it is now possible to create environments specifically engineered to reduce stress, replenish cognitive resources, and enhance an individual’s overall sense of well-being.

The installation draws its origins from BIO.POD, an immersive environment for restorative breaks designed by Giuliana Salmaso in 2021. It has been the subject of an environmental psychology research project coordinated by Francesca Pazzaglia, Full Professor of General Psychology at the University of Padua and Director of the Master’s program in the Psychology of Architecture and Landscape at the same university.

In a broader perspective, ANESIS is a call to elevate planetary well-being by placing the harmony between nature and humanity at the heart of every design choice.

Credits: Giuliana Salmaso with Davide Fior

Photos: Giorgio Marafioti