Kohler and Flamingo Estate Unveil a Sculptural Bathhouse at Milan Design Week

Kohler and Flamingo Estate Unveil a Unique Bathhouse

At the recent Milan Design Week 2026, Kohler partnered with Richard Christiansen, the founder of Flamingo Estate, to present the stunning Flamingo Estate Bathhouse. This immersive installation captivates visitors by inviting them into an elemental realm where architecture, landscape, and serenity coalesce into a unified experience, creating a space for reflection and rejuvenation.

Nestled within the courtyard of the Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea on Via Palestro, the bathhouse appears to organically emerge from a field of wildflowers, blurring the lines between constructed form and living ecosystem. Drawing inspiration from the sacred hot springs of Flamingo Estate in California, the 247-square-foot monolithic structure is designed with a palette of patinated metals and elemental surfaces. With plaster evoking the mineral texture and weight of concrete, the bathhouse features monumental artisan glassworks by Milanese craftsman Samuele Dossena, allowing light to filter onto terracotta surfaces, while the walls are adorned with candles from Flamingo Estate, further enhancing the tranquil ambiance.

Richard Christiansen shared his vision, stating, "The bathhouse is a meditation on ritual, nature, and the silent power of materials. We envisioned a place where wildflowers, water, and light come together to create a sensory experience that reconnects us to the rhythms of the earth. This collaboration with Kohler has allowed us to realize this vision with extraordinary craftsmanship, inviting people to slow down, reflect, and engage with the natural world."

As guests enter the bathhouse, they are greeted by the Reverie, a new rendition of Kohler's iconic enameled cast iron bath, now featuring a copper shroud that serves as the focal point of the space. This copper covering envelops the cast iron bath, made from at least 80% recycled materials, emphasizing a commitment to sustainable craftsmanship designed to last. This marks the first instance in which Kohler employs copper as a defining material in bath design, adding a new dimension to their offerings.

David Kohler, President and CEO of Kohler Co., emphasized, "Design and the creative process are always at the core of Kohler, shaping our heritage and driving our innovation. We view design as a bridge between tradition and innovation, continuously evolving through material exploration and craftsmanship. We are thrilled to collaborate with Richard Christiansen and Flamingo Estate during Milan Design Week to continue inspiring through art and design."

Scattered throughout the garden are four unique sculptural pollinator baths, designed by Christiansen in collaboration with Kohler and crafted in Kohler’s historic foundry in Wisconsin. These sculptural baths provide sanctuaries for birds, bees, and other pollinators, extending the narrative of reciprocity between human craftsmanship and the natural world at the installation level.

Michael Seum, VP of Global Design at Kohler Co., remarked, "For the Flamingo Estate Bathhouse, we aimed to explore the relationship between architecture and ecology, how design can create moments of care not just for people, but for the natural world surrounding us. The pollinator baths translate this idea into sculptural form, drawing on brutalist principles on the outside while softening into organic, nature-inspired surfaces inside. It’s a reflection of our belief that design should accommodate both human rituals and environmental stewardship."

The Flamingo Estate Bathhouse transforms bathing into a regenerative experience and a ritual space that invites slowing down, calming the mind, and heightening awareness of light, water, and materials. With its integration of architecture, craftsmanship, and ecology, the installation reflects a shared vision between Kohler and Flamingo Estate that enduring wellness arises from a deeper connection to nature.

The candles in the bathhouse were crafted by Flamingo Estate specifically for this installation. The Flamingo Estate Pollinator Candle is complemented by the Pollinator Bath Soap Brick, both inspired by a stroll through the blooming streets of Milan. The scent, called Wild Linden Blossom, offers an olfactory invitation to wander through sunlit Milan. As summer approaches, the iconic linden tree blooms, filling entire boulevards with a sweet and sublime warmth, embodying the authenticity of Milan. From sun-drenched markets, the bergamot radiates with the vibrant green glow of its peel, while sweet pollen drifts through the air. Both the candle and soap brick can be purchased on FlamingoEstate.com.

Unveiled during FuoriSalone at the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea, Via Palestro 14, 20121 Milan, Italy, the installation is open to the public from Tuesday, April 21, to Sunday, April 26. The hours are as follows: Tuesday from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Wednesday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM; Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

For images of the installation and more information, access the press kit here.

About Kohler Co.

For over 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in innovative and cutting-edge design. Committed to improving quality of life, the company offers products and solutions that encourage a stylish, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle. Their portfolio includes kitchen and bath products, luxury furnishings, coatings and lighting; wellness products and services; luxury hospitality experiences; and major golf championships. A privately-held company founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is also committed to developing sustainable solutions aimed at improving quality of life for both current and future generations. Its "Innovation for Good" platform addresses urgent challenges, such as access to safe drinking water and sanitary services, with innovative products and services for underserved communities.

About Flamingo Estate

Founded in the 1940s atop the hills of Los Angeles, Flamingo Estate has a storied history as a sun-worshipping enclave celebrating folk mythologies and psychedelic remedies—a hidden paradise for wild alchemy in the City of Angels. Today, it is home to Richard Christiansen and, in the spirit of its origins, a resolute celebration of garden pleasure. Here, the wildest and most precious gifts of Mother Nature are carefully cultivated, at a time when they are needed more than ever. Supporting the notion that Mother Nature embodies the true authentic form of luxury, sourcing relies on rare ingredients from over 125 farms and collaborators. Instead of basic ingredients, the aim is to go as close to the raw natural material as possible, while ensuring traceability of each ingredient back to the farmer who produced it. The result is the creation of nutrient-rich rituals for everyday pleasure, with Mother Nature guiding the way.