Standex Engraving partners with ISIA Urbino students to transform a public Milan staircase into a year-long urban installation
April 8th, 2026 – Standex Engraving Mold-Tech, the global leader in surface texturing solutions, will take center stage at Milan Design Week 2026 with a bold new sponsorship that merges industrial expertise with public art. As part of this year’s Fuorisalone, Standex will sponsor and bring to life a large-scale, student-designed staircase installation at Stecca3 a Stefano Boeri Building, a vibrant cultural hub in Milan’s Isola district.
Now in its third year participating in Milan Design Week, Standex Engraving is elevating its presence by shifting from exhibitor to sponsor, supporting emerging design talent while demonstrating the artistic and functional power of surface texturing in a real-world environment.
A Living Canvas in the Heart of Milan
The project, titled “Inspiration is Everywhere. Texturing is Standex,” will transform a prominent public staircase into a dynamic work of urban typography and texture. The concept has been developed by students from ISIA Urbino, under the guidance of Professor Marco Tortoioli Ricci, and will be realized through a live painting workshop.
Located at Stecca3, adjacent to Stefano Boeri’s iconic Bosco Verticale and overlooking the Biblioteca degli Alberi park, the installation sits within one of Milan’s most highly trafficked and culturally significant neighborhoods. The site serves as a daily gathering place for locals, families, and visitors, ensuring exceptional visibility throughout the year, as the installation will remain in place for 12 months.
Where Design Meets Function
More than a visual statement, the installation reflects Standex Engraving’s core philosophy: that texture is not only aesthetic, but functional.
Inspired by everyday life and natural surroundings, the staircase design will incorporate:
- Interpretations of the Standex “S” using the company’s colors
- Graphic patterns inspired by engineered textures
- Functional elements that engage touch, guide movement, and enhance usability
- Interactive and sensory features, including potential phosphorescent effects that echo light-guiding textures used in industrial applications
Two integrated QR codes will connect visitors directly to Standex Engraving’s website and digital texture catalogue, bridging physical experience with digital exploration.
“This project reflects exactly who we are,” said Claudia Miotto – Standex Engraving Marketing Manager. “We engineer textures that enhance both performance and design, and here, we’re bringing that capability into a public, human-centered space. It’s about showing that inspiration truly is everywhere.”
Supporting the Next Generation of Designers
As part of its sponsorship, Standex Engraving is funding the project and donating the final installation to the city of Milan. The initiative underscores the company’s commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration within the global design community.
An informational display adjacent to the staircase will remain on-site throughout the year, highlighting Standex Engraving’s capabilities and its role in the project.
A Global Stage for Innovation
Milan Design Week is widely regarded as the world’s most influential design event, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually from over 180 countries. While the Salone del Mobile anchors the official exhibition, the Fuorisalone transforms the entire city into an open platform for experimentation, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
By participating in the Fuorisalone, Standex Engraving connects with a diverse international audience of architects, designers, brands, and cultural influencers, reinforcing its position at the intersection of design, engineering, and innovation.
About Standex Engraving Mold-Tech
Standex Engraving Mold-Tech creates custom textures on tooling to enhance the beauty and function of a wide range of consumer goods and automotive products we all use every day.
We offer a One Partner solution, managing every step of the texturing process from design and engraving, to preparing the tool for manufacturing with worry-free results. We make it easy for our customers by offering a full range of services: Architexture Design Studio, Laser, Chemical and Hybrid Engraving; Soft Trim Tooling; Roll-Tech and Tool Finishing.
Standex Engraving Mold-Tech has become the global leader by offering our beginning-to-end services from more than 30 locations, strategically positioned in every major tooling center worldwide to support Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Tier 1 suppliers, mold makers and product designers.
We focus on continuing to meet the needs of an evolving marketplace by offering experienced craftsmanship while investing in new technologies. Visit us here https://www.mold-tech.com.
