When Apricots Blossom marks the prestigious debut of Uzbekistan at Milan Design Week 2026. Commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), the project found its home in the historic garden and galleries of Palazzo Citterio in Brera. The exhibition serves as a cultural bridge, bringing the resilient spirit of the Aral Sea region to the heart of Milan, celebrating the heritage of Karakalpakstan through a contemporary architectural lens.
The project brief focused on three fundamental pillars: food, shelter, and clothing. Inside the galleries of Palazzo Citterio, the exhibition unfolds through a research-led journey featuring the film “Where the Water Ends” and the “Bread as Craft” collection. For this installation, 12 international designers collaborated with Uzbek artisans to reinterpret the chekich (traditional bread stamps), turning ancient rituals into modern design statements. This section of the project highlights how craft can act as a tool for environmental and cultural renewal.
The architectural centerpiece, produced by BLΛCK, is a “Deconstructed Yurt” a 15 meter wide structure that reinterprets traditional nomadic dwellings. Composed of a complex lattice framework of 500 steel elements encased in a translucent fiber gauze, the pavilion represents a “meeting place of cultural connections.” It stands as a symbol of hospitality and memory, providing a radical, open space that invites visitors to reflect on the landscape of the Aral Sea
The pavilion was more than a static installation; it was a vibrant hub for the Public Program, hosting daily workshops and conversations. To fully embody the spirit of Uzbek hospitality, the structure hosted key communal moments, including an inaugural dinner on the opening day and a traditional breakfast the following morning. These activations transformed the architectural space into a living laboratory of social exchange, where the themes of the exhibition were shared through authentic moments of gathering and dialogue.
