#Italy #Milan #Kohler #Flamingo Estate #Milan Design Week

Kohler and Flamingo Estate Unveil Sculptural Bathhouse

At the Milan Design Week 2026, Kohler, in collaboration with Richard Christiansen, the founder of Flamingo Estate, has introduced an extraordinary installation: the Flamingo Estate Bathhouse by Kohler. This multi-sensory experience invites visitors into an elemental realm where architecture, landscape, and tranquility converge into a seamless exploration of serenity and rejuvenation.

The installation is located within the courtyard of the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea (Via Palestro 14) and revolves around a daring brutalist structure, which appears to grow organically from a meadow adorned with seven species of wildflowers. Covering an area of 23 square meters, this monolithic building draws inspiration from the bathhouse at the California-based Flamingo Estate, utilizing a palette of weathered metals and elemental surfaces.

The walls of the bathhouse are coated with intonachino plaster, reminiscent of mineral textures and the weight of concrete. The installation features monumental stained glass windows crafted by Milanese artisan Samuel Dossena, which filter light across terracotta-toned surfaces, while the walls are adorned with Flamingo Estate candles, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere.

"The bathhouse is a contemplation on rituals, nature, and the silent strength of materials," remarks Richard Christiansen. “We envisioned a space where wildflowers, water, and light combine to create a sensory experience that reconnects us with the rhythms of the earth. With Kohler's collaboration, we brought forth this vision with exceptional craftsmanship, inviting people to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with nature."

Upon entering the bathhouse, visitors are greeted by the Reverie, a newly designed freestanding enameled cast iron bathtub featuring a unique copper shroud that acts as the centerpiece of the space. This bath design is crafted from at least 80% recycled materials, underscoring a tradition of sustainable craftsmanship designed to endure. This marks Kohler's first use of copper as a key material in bathtub design, adding a new dimension to this product category.

"At Kohler, design and creativity have always been at our core; they shape our tradition and drive our evolution,” states David Kohler, chairman and CEO of Kohler Co. "We view design as a bridge between legacy and innovation, continually evolved through the exploration of materials and craftsmanship. We are pleased to partner with Richard Christiansen and Flamingo Estate during Milan Design Week to inspire through art and design."

The outdoor garden features four unique sculptural pollinator baths, designed by Christiansen and cast in Kohler's historic foundry in Wisconsin. These bathtubs serve as havens for birds, bees, and other pollinators, broadening the narrative of this installation to reflect the interrelationship between human craftsmanship and the natural world.

"For the Flamingo Estate bathhouse, we sought to explore the relationship between architecture and ecology, emphasizing how design can foster care not just for people but for the natural environment surrounding us," noted Michael Seum, Vice President of Global Design at Kohler Co. "The pollinator baths embody this concept in a sculptural form, drawing from brutalist principles in their exterior and transitioning into organic natural-inspired surfaces within. This reflects our belief that design should create space for both human rituals and environmental stewardship."

The Flamingo Estate Bathhouse by Kohler elevates the bathing experience into one of regeneration, creating a sanctuary for ritual and relaxation while calming the body, soothing the mind, and deepening the sensory experience of light, water, and materials. The installation, with its blend of architecture, craftsmanship, and ecology, reflects the shared vision of Kohler and Flamingo Estate that lasting wellbeing stems from a deeper connection to nature.

Flamingo Estate has crafted special candles specifically for this installation, including the Pollinator Candle, complemented by the Pollinator Soap for use in the bath. The fragrance was inspired by a stroll through Milan's streets, encapsulating the essence of blooming linden trees. The iconic linden tree bursts into bloom as summer approaches, infusing the boulevards with a honeyed warmth typical of Milan. Sunlit markets pulse with the vibrant, verdant zest of bergamot, while sweet pollen fills the air. Both the candle and soap are available for purchase at FlamingoEstate.com.

The installation, unveiled during FuoriSalone at the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea, Via Palestro 14, 20121 Milan, Italy, is open to the public from Tuesday, April 21 to Sunday, April 26. Hours of operation are as follows: Tuesday from 12 PM to 7 PM; Wednesday from 12 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 10 PM; Thursday through Saturday from 12 PM to 10 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM.

For images and more information, please visit the press kit linked here.

About Kohler Co.

For over 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a leading global enterprise in bold design and innovation. Dedicated to its kitchen and bath products, luxury cabinetry, tiles, lighting, wellness offerings, hospitality experiences, and hosting significant golf tournaments, Kohler aims to help individuals live elegant, healthy, and sustainable lives. Founded in 1873 and based in Kohler, Wisconsin, the privately held Kohler Co. is also devoted to sustainable living solutions to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. Its Innovations for Good platform tackles urgent issues like clean water and safe sanitation through groundbreaking products and services for underserved communities. David Kohler represents the fourth generation of Kohler family leadership.

About Flamingo Estate

Founded in the 1940s atop the hills of Los Angeles, Flamingo Estate has remained a hedonistic enclave honoring sunlight, folk myths, and psychedelic remedies—a secret refuge of wild alchemy in the City of Angels. Today, Flamingo Estate is home to Richard Christiansen and embodies a radical celebration of garden pleasure. We carefully cultivate nature's most wild and precious gifts at times of greatest need. We advocate that Mother Nature is the ultimate luxury home, sourcing rare ingredients from over 125 farms and collaborators. Instead of commodity ingredients, our goal is to get as close to the raw, natural material as possible and be able to trace every ingredient back to the farmer who planted it. We create nutrient-filled rituals for daily pleasure, with Mother Nature as our guide.