The Triennale di Milano will return for a 22nd edition in 2019 under the theme “Broken Nature”, delegates of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) heard during the Organisation’s 161st General Assembly on 14 June. The declaration was made by Andrea Cancellato, Director General of the Triennale di Milano, who presented an overview of the institution’s plans for the recurring international exhibition dedicated to architecture, design and craftsmanship.

Following its return after a 20-year hiatus in 2016, under the theme “21st Century - Design after Design”, the 22nd edition of the renowned exhibition is scheduled to take place from 1 March to 1 September 2019.

A novelty in the history of the exhibition will be the construction of new pavilions in the adjoining the Palazzo dell’Arte, the historic home of the Triennale. Mr. Cancellato explained that these pavilions will be dedicated to international participants and will be directly connected to the main building.

The theme, “Broken Nature”, aims to look at the future of the environment, which has been identified by the Triennale as “crucial in our time”, and how design, architecture and art can take on climate change and inequality.

One of the foremost experts on contemporary architecture and design, Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of Architecture and Design at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), has been chosen as the General Curator for the 22nd Triennale. Ms Antonelli presented the “Broken Nature” theme to delegates, explaining that it will showcase nature-inspired architecture and design, highlighting the ways that nature’s resilience and ability to rebuild can be imitated.

According to Ms Antonneli, the theme will allow exhibitors at the next edition of the Triennale to take part in the radical redefinition of designers in an era of climate change and inequality. Several examples were given of how design can impact the future, including biodesign, “hacking nature” to preserve efficiency, and “reverse engineering” to minimise our impact on the world.

The Triennale delegation announced that Italy will seek BIE recognition for the 22nd edition of the Triennale exhibition during the next General Assembly due to take place in November 2017.