From April 7 to 13, the Baltic contemporary design exhibition Tactile Baltics will be on view in Milan, featuring 21 designers from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. FOLD introduces designers and studios from Latvia — Gateris Works, Ēter, Dace Sūna, Studio Sarmīte, Artis Nīmanis, Emma Sofia, Boterra — whose work will reveal the innovations, craft traditions, and cultural values of our region.
««Tactile Baltics» is more than an exhibition — it’s a statement on the future of design. By blending heritage techniques with contemporary innovation, Baltic designers are redefining how we interact with materials, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Milano Design Week and MoscaPartners Variations provides the perfect platform to showcase the Baltic region’s creative force, where tradition meets the unexpected, and innovation is felt as much as seen,» says Dita Danosa, project lead and head of the Latvian Design Centre.
Featuring work by 21 designers, the exhibition will present furniture, lighting, textiles, tableware, craft, and collectible design, all driven by a commitment to material experimentation, sustainability, and circular design principles. Focusing on the tactile nature of design, visitors will engage with how traditional craftsmanship intersects with cutting-edge technology, exploring the dynamic interplay of form, function, and heritage. With a blend of established and emerging designers, Tactile Baltics will unveil a compelling mix of designs from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, illustrating the diverse, innovative spirit of the Baltics.
Reminiscent nightstands by Studio Sarmīte
Reminiscent is a rhythmic collection of PineSkins nightstands, transforming pine bark into a rich sensory experience. PineSkins, a leather-like material made from the inner bark of pine trees — a by-product of the tree-cutting industry — offers hues from earthy brown to ash-grey and a subtle wood scent, feeling both familiar and unique. Treated with a bio-softening solution and natural wax, the bark becomes flexible while preserving its organic texture. Blending warm tones with a forest aroma, PineSkins brings nature indoors. Crafted from solid wood, softened bark veneer, and burnished brass, its pieces seamlessly complement any space.
Studio Sarmīte is a material design and research studio led by Latvian designer Sarmīte Poļakova. Focused on transforming industry waste into circular concepts, the studio explores material and product life cycles through hands-on experimentation. Studio Sarmīte’s innovative materials and design processes are used to create works that engage with sensory experiences, generational design, and new material narratives. Its portfolio spans bespoke projects and collaborations with brands such as Adidas, Vitra and Levi’s, and others.
Read our interview with Sarmīte here. More about Studio Sarmīte on the studio’s website and Instagram.
Ceramics collection Sweet Water by Boterra
The Boterra ceramics collection, Sweet Water, was created with inspiration drawn from the crystal-clear waters of a northern lake. In the depths of the lake, the setting sun’s rays illuminate ancient stones while along the shallow, reed-covered shore lie fragments of brick, smoothed by the waves. The ceramic objects are crafted by playing with natural, rough textures and different types of clay, capturing the essence of nature’s raw beauty and the uniqueness of each piece as an art object.
Boterra ceramics studio was founded by Irita Tīlane-Pakalniņa in 2023. The studio creates unique ceramic design objects within thematic collections, as well as collaborates with interior designers to create custom interior elements for various public spaces. With a background in fashion design, Irita explores interdisciplinary expressions in visual and applied arts and continuously seeks new sources of inspiration.
More about Boterra on the studio’s website and Instagram.
ASMR-themed objects by Ēter
This innovative collection extends the world’s first series of ASMR-themed objects, born out of the award-winning exhibition Weird Sensation Feels Good: The World of ASMR at the Design Museum in London, which was designed by Ēter. The objects transform the calming, sensory qualities of ASMR into tangible, functional pieces for learning, wellbeing, and healthcare spaces. Inspired by biomorphic growth patterns in nature and the human body, the designs invite touch and interaction. These objects redefine relaxation, transforming spaces into immersive, therapeutic environments.
Ēter is an architectural and design practice that explores the intersection of nature, technology, and contemporary culture. Founded by Kārlis Bērziņš, Dagnija Smilga, and Niklāvs Paegle, it operates between the Alps and the Baltics and creates immersive spaces — from tactile theatres to sensitive libraries —designed for shared experiences. Ēter has been recognised among Dezeen’s 29 Emerging Practices (2022) and Europe’s 40 under 40.
Read our interview with Ēter here. More about Ēter on the studio’s website and Instagram.
Bookshelf Māra by Gateris Works
The shelf is named after the Māra cross — a Latvian folk symbol consisting of four crosses — which forms the basis of its construction. Its robust, somewhat primitive form gives voice to an aesthetic often overshadowed by innovation and technology but deeply reflective of Latvian identity. Rooted in vernacular carpentry, the shelf embraces convenience and subjective interpretation of function, paying tribute to naivety and clumsiness in an elegant, contemporary way. Crafted from solid wood, it is built to last for generations.
Gateris Works, founded in 2023 by architect Reinis Leo Miķelsons and graphic designer Eva Abduļina, was born from their shared passion for spatial design. Focusing on environmental, interior, and furniture design, they aim to manifest Latvian visual code in contemporary objects and spaces. Their work has already gained recognition, with their furniture collection and Ziedonis Museum installations shortlisted for the National Design Award of Latvia 2024.
More about Gateris Works» on studio’s Instagram.
Gobelin Desire by Emma Sofia
Exploring themes of mental health, addiction, and self-denial, Emma Sofia employs soft textures and muted tones to create a striking contrast between the weight of her message and the gentle aesthetic of her materials. Through handwoven tapestry, she invites the audience to reflect on the obstacles that shape their lives, fostering a deeper awareness of both personal and collective struggles. By integrating familiar and comforting materials, Emma subtly suggests that the resilience and resources needed for change are already within reach.
Emma Sofia is a contemporary Latvian textile and visual artist whose work examines social, environmental, and human behavior in today’s fragmented post-digital world. With a multidisciplinary approach spanning painting, tapestry, and tufting, she is one of Latvia’s most promising emerging artists. Her work has been featured in over thirty solo and group exhibitions both in Latvia and internationally, earning her numerous awards and widespread recognition. Her pieces are held in private collections as well as the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Riga.
More about Emma Sofia on her website and Instagram.
Vertical Helium Fractal Candles by Dace Sūna
The Vertical Helium Fractal Candles are a custom-made sculptural piece inspired by the elegant, self-replicating pattern of fractals, which rises infinitely in complexity. Crafted from translucent tubing filled with helium, the candles emit a soft yellow-pink glow — unique to this rare element. With its name derived from the Greek ἥλιος (helios), meaning «sun», helium is a colourless, odourless, and non-toxic gas formed through the nuclear fusion of hydrogen in stars. This ethereal glow, unattainable in nature, infuses the piece with a mesmerising fusion of science and design.
For Latvian designer Dace Sūna, design is a journey that unites nature and science, shaping timeless, light-infused environments that celebrate the magic of the universe. She explores the interplay of space and light, drawing inspiration from nature and elemental forces. Holding an MA in Contextual Design from Design Academy Eindhoven and a BFA in Interior Design from FIT New York, her award-winning work seamlessly blends materials like neon, glass, and wood. Most recently, her graduation project, Cosmic Dancer, earned the National Design Award of Latvia in the Spatial Design category.
More about Dace on designer’s website and Instagram.
New Line sculpture by Artis Nīmanis
The exceptional glass sculpture New Line merges fragility with strength, embodying the artist’s dedication to innovation. Through advanced glass-blowing techniques and sophisticated coatings, Nīmanis creates a symphony of light, colour, and form. The reflective surface enhances its visual allure, inviting introspection and imagination. Blending minimalist design with avant-garde engineering, this is a statement piece for modern interiors.
Artis Nīmanis, one of Latvia’s most renowned glass artists, has been honing his craft for over 20 years. Known for his minimalist yet functional designs, he masterfully blends technology with craftsmanship. As lead designer at An&angel, he has developed groundbreaking techniques in glass processing, including vacuum-coating glass with titanium to create striking reflective surfaces. His work can be found in museums and private collections throughout Europe, USA, China, Mexico, and Japan. His creations challenge traditional perceptions of glass, pushing its artistic and functional boundaries and solidifying his status as a visionary in contemporary glass design.
More about Artis on artist’s website and Instagram.
About Tactile Baltics
Following a successful debut at London Design Festival 2021, where it received an enthusiastic response, Tactile Baltics continues to serve as a platform for contemporary Baltic design, fostering appreciation and international recognition.
The Tactile Baltics exhibition at the Milan Design Week 2025 will be on view from April 7 to 13 at Palazzo Litta (Corso Magenta 24, 20121) in room 16 as part of the MoscaPartners Variations group exhibition. To visit the exhibition, register here.
Tactile Baltics in Milan is organised by the Latvian Design Centre, the Estonian design agency NID, and the Lithuanian Design Forum. Curated by Dita Danosa, Latvia; Triin Loks, Estonia; Audronė Drungilaitė, Lithuania. Graphic design by Kirils Kirasirovs (Augusts). Exhibition design by Brigita Bula (Brigita Bula Architects).
Tactile Baltics at Milan Design Week 2025 is funded by the Baltic Culture Fund, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Estonia and supported by the Embassies of the Republic of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in Italy.
More information on the exhibition on the Tactile Baltics website and Instagram account.
About MoscaPartners
MoscaPartners Variations is the exhibition organised by MoscaPartners, founded by Caterina Mosca and Valerio Castelli in 2011, which returns to Palazzo Litta during Milano Design Week 2025. This year’s theme, Migrations, explores design as a catalyst for cultural exchange and creative innovation. Bringing together international architects, designers, and artists, the exhibition transcends geographical boundaries, fostering dialogue between diverse perspectives. By showcasing new approaches to contemporary design, it transforms the historic venue into a dynamic space for experimentation and discovery. Through research-driven projects and site-specific installations, MoscaPartners continues its commitment to promoting visionary talents and new creative languages.
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