This article is based on insights shared by Voice of Space. For more information about “DDT – Different Design Thinking: Gentle Streets and Squares” initiative, please visit the Voice of Space LinkedIn Article.
At Modulina, we don’t just build houses — we build experiences. That’s why participating in Milano Design Week 2025 wasn’t just an event for us; it was a meaningful step forward in how we bring sustainability, creativity, and care into public life. We were proud to be one of the material sponsors of Gentle Streets and Squares, a powerful initiative that brought together artists, designers, and technologists to reimagine Milan’s urban spaces with a simple but radical message:
“Kindness can be a design strategy.”
When design thinks differently
The event was part of the DDT – Different Design Thinking program, curated by the wonderful team at Voice of Space and held in the vibrant cultural hub SC3milano GentiLab from April 8 to 13. It challenged six international teams to create phygital (physical + digital) installations across the Turro Martesana district of Milan — installations that could spark reflection, connection, and change.
The heart of this initiative was the motto TUMAMI? Doyouloveme?, which perfectly encapsulated the essence of the project. The question posed by the motto invites us to think deeply about how we connect with each other and the spaces we inhabit. It challenges us to rethink our relationship with public spaces, art, and the people around us.
“Kindness is not soft — it’s a force for social regeneration. This project shows how gentle design can foster empathy, beauty, and cohesion in our neighborhoods.”
— Cristina Milani, President of Gentletude (as cited in Voice of Space).
Our Straw Panels, their creative vision
We were invited to provide our Modulina Straw Panels as one of the core sustainable materials. Our panels became the structure, the canvas, and sometimes even the message behind the installations.
To us, this wasn’t just about supplying building material — it was about co-creating impact. As we saw artists transform our panels into emotional storytelling spaces, playful structures, and digital interaction zones, we felt proud.
Alissa Bankovska, co-founder of Voice of Space, shared an incredible insight into the role of our material in the creative process:
“When we brought Modulina Straw Panels into the SC3milano for our Gentle Streets & Squares Hackathon, we thought they’d be one of the materials the participants could explore. But every single one of our participants chose to work with Modulina. Because the material sparked something in their imagination. Modulina brings more than sustainability and circularity to the table. It sets the tone. The first Modulina module installed in the space quickly became the base, the frame, the rhythm for what followed. It’s not just a surface — it’s a statement: future-proof, sustainable, and full of creative possibility. It’s amazing to witness how one thoughtful material can shift the creative process. More soon, but for now — huge thanks to Modulina Straw Panels for being more than a partner. You’re a co-author in this creative journey.”
This was exactly what we believe in: gentle architecture that meets the soul of the city.
6 Installations, 6 stories
All six installations were created using industrial waste, recycled materials from TAF Abrasivi S.p.A., and Modulina Straw Panels — a perfect example of circular design in action. Each project had its own personality, but all shared the goal of creating more human-centered, sustainable cities:
1. WHISPER
By Orma il Viandante, Dmytro Tokariev, and Karyna Bezsonova
This urban storytelling project turned blank facades into an open-air museum. With the help of augmented reality and the “The Wall That Talks” platform, the walls came alive with animations and the voices of local children, blending technology and memory.
2. Tessuto Sociale (en. Social fabric)
By Onish
A powerful 20-meter-long installation made of CO₂-absorbing fabric that gradually changes color, visually reflecting the neighborhood’s transformation and inviting viewers to witness climate impact in real time.
3. Wonderland
By Giada Grasso
An imaginative installation that brought play into the public realm, “Wonderland” reimagined city life as a space for creativity, encouraging social connection and change through joyful, interactive design
4. Punti di raccolta umana e archiviazione urbana (en. Points of human gathering and urban archiving)
By Eleonora Gugliotta, Dmytro Tokariev and Karyna Bezsonova
Interactive urban panels inviting citizens to leave traces of their daily lives, creating a living archive of community memories. Enhanced by the “Digital Caselle” platform, which allows for voice messages, photos, and other digital expressions.
5. Osservatorio delle Stelle (en. Star observatory)
By Amanda Toy
A poetic observatory inviting visitors to reconnect with dreams and nature. The project also introduces playful, colorful interventions in everyday urban elements—such as pedestrian crossings and traffic lights—conveying positive and inspiring messages.
6. Urban Cube-ism
By Will Paucar, Dmytro Tokariev, and Karyna Bezsonova
It captures the physical presence and emotional imprints of those who pass by. Through the “ARtCUBO” digital platform, visitors can extend the experience by creating and placing virtual artworks into a shared 3D environment — blending tactile materiality with digital imagination.
Why it matters to us
What we saw in Milan wasn’t just art — it was a reimagining of how we could live together in our cities. At Modulina, we go beyond building eco-friendly homes — we’re committed to supporting innovative projects that foster creativity, connection, and positive change.
“Spaces are the most powerful tool of communication and change. With Impact Spaces, we activate places to shape how people live, connect, and evolve — turning design into a force for collective transformation.”— Alissa Bankovska, Voice of space co-founder, Modulina brand ambassador.
Milano Design Week 2025 provided a unique opportunity to showcase how our sustainable Straw Panels can drive artistic expression, inspire community engagement, and contribute to meaningful transformations in urban spaces. Each installation at the event reflected the power of design to reshape environments and tell compelling stories. We are proud to see our materials play a central role in such impactful projects, reinforcing our dedication to sustainability and the transformative potential of thoughtful, creative design.