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

Kohler and Flamingo Estate Unveil a Sculptural Bathhouse

At the highly anticipated Milan Design Week 2026, Kohler, in collaboration with Richard Christiansen, founder of Flamingo Estate, has introduced the breathtaking Flamingo Estate Bathhouse. This immersive multisensory installation invites visitors into a world of elemental experiences, uniting architecture, landscape, and tranquility into a cohesive journey for reflection and renewal.

A Harmonious Blend of Nature and Design

Situated in the charming courtyard of Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea (Via Palestro, 14), the bathhouse is designed as a bold, brutalist structure that organically rises from a meadow filled with seven types of wild flowers, blurring the lines between constructed forms and living ecosystems. With an area of 247 square feet, the monumental design, inspired by the bath at Flamingo Estate in California, employs a palette of vintage metals and fundamental surfaces. The exterior is coated with intonaco plaster, reminiscent of mineral textures and the weight of concrete, complemented by monumental stained glass created by Milanese master Samuele Dossena. The interplay of light filtering through terracotta surfaces fosters a serene ambiance, enhanced by Flamingo Estate candles lining the walls, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Richard Christiansen notes, "The bath represents a meditation intertwined with ritual, nature, and the quiet strength of materials. We envisioned a space where wildflowers, water, and light converge to create a sensory experience that reconnects us with the rhythms of the Earth. This partnership with Kohler has allowed us to bring this vision to life with extraordinary craftsmanship, crafting a space that invites people to slow down, reflect, and reengage with the natural world."

Innovative Features Enhancing the Experience

Upon entering the bathhouse, visitors are greeted by the Reverie, a reimagining of Kohler's iconic freestanding enameled cast iron bath, now adorned with a copper shroud that serves as the focal point of the space. This copper casing envelops a cast iron bath constructed from at least 80% recycled materials, highlighting Kohler's commitment to sustainable craftsmanship aimed at longevity. It is the first instance in which Kohler has utilized copper as a defining feature in bathtub design, bringing a new dimension to the category.

David Kohler, CEO of Kohler Co., stated, "Design and creativity have always been at the core of Kohler, shaping our traditions and advancing our innovations. We view design as a bridge between heritage and progress, continuously evolving through material exploration and craftsmanship. We are excited to collaborate with Richard Christiansen and Flamingo Estate during Milan Design Week to inspire through art and design."

The garden surrounding the installation features four unique sculptural pollinator baths, a concept envisioned by Christiansen and developed by Kohler, cast at their historic foundry in Wisconsin. These sculptural baths act as sanctuaries for birds, bees, and other pollinating species, expanding the installation's narrative of reciprocity between human craftsmanship and the natural world.

Michael Seum, Vice President of Global Design at Kohler Co., remarked, "For the Flamingo Estate bath, we sought to explore the relationship between architecture and ecology, examining how design can foster moments of care not only for people but also for the natural world surrounding us. The pollinator baths embody this idea in a sculptural form, upholding brutalist principles externally while softening organic, natural surfaces inside. This reflects our belief that design should occupy space for both human ritual and environmental stewardship."

An Oasis of Renewal and Reflection

The Flamingo Estate Bathhouse transforms bathing into a restorative experience, offering a place for ritual and solitude that slows the body, calms the mind, and heightens awareness of light, water, and material. By integrating architecture, craftsmanship, and ecology, this installation embodies a shared vision between Kohler and Flamingo Estate that sustainable wellness arises from a deeper connection with nature.

The custom candles specially created by Flamingo Estate for this installation include the Flamingo Estate Pollinator Candle and the Pollinator Bath Soap Brick. The scent was inspired by strolls through the streets of Milan, with Wild Linden Blossom serving as an olfactory invitation to wander through flowering Milan. As summer approaches, the iconic linden trees bloom, blanketing boulevards with the warm, honeyed notes typical of Milan. In sun-drenched markets, the essence of bergamot pulses with vibrant green brightness, while sweet pollen fills the air. Both the candle and soap are available for purchase on FlamingoEstate.com.

The installation, showcased during FuoriSalone at Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea (Via Palestro 14, 20121 Milan, Italy), is open to the public from Tuesday, April 21, to Sunday, April 26, 2026. Visitors can explore from Tuesday 12 PM - 7 PM; Wednesday 12 PM - 4 PM and 7 PM - 10 PM; Thursday to Saturday 12 PM - 10 PM; and Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM.

For additional images of the installation and more information, press materials are available here.

About Kohler Co.

For over 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in bold design and innovation, committed to helping people live comfortable, healthy, and sustainable lives through its kitchen and bath products, luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting, wellness products, and services, as well as luxury hotels and championship golf. Founded in 1873, Kohler Co. is a private company headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also creates sustainable solutions to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. Kohler’s IfG platform (Innovations for Good) addresses urgent issues like access to clean water and safe sanitation through revolutionary products and services for underserved communities. David Kohler serves as chairman and CEO, representing the fourth generation of the Kohler leadership family.

About Flamingo Estate

Built in the 1940s atop the hills of Los Angeles, Flamingo Estate has historically served as a hedonistic enclave of sun worship, folk mythologies, and psychedelic substances—a secret refuge for wild alchemy in the City of Angels. Now home to Richard Christiansen, Flamingo Estate continues to celebrate the pleasure derived from gardens, offering meticulously cultivated gems from Mother Nature when they are most needed. Advocating for the belief that Mother Nature is the ultimate luxury home, Flamingo Estate sources rare ingredients from over 125 farms and cultivators. Rather than commercial goods, the aim is to stay true to raw, natural materials and trace every ingredient back to the farmer who planted it, creating enriching, nourishing rituals for everyday pleasure with Mother Nature as a guide.