Each year Milan Design Week becomes the centre of gravity for the global design industry, drawing architects, interior designers and luxury brands from across the world. In 2026, Roche Bobois will once again be among the names shaping the conversation, unveiling a new outdoor furniture collection that reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to creativity, craftsmanship and contemporary living.
Presented in the Durini Design District during Milan Design Week from April 20–23, the launch places outdoor living firmly in the spotlight, revealing a collection designed for terraces, gardens and poolside settings where architecture and lifestyle intersect.
For architects and designers travelling to Milan for the event, the presentation offers an opportunity to experience how one of the world’s most recognised luxury furniture houses continues to push the boundaries of outdoor design.
At the centre of the new collection is Catalina, created in collaboration with American designer Stephen Burks. The project marks another chapter in the long-standing relationship between Burks and Roche Bobois, bringing together contemporary design thinking with refined craftsmanship and carefully selected materials.
Defined by generous forms and sculptural lines, Catalina introduces a fresh perspective on outdoor living. Dining tables with ceramic tops are paired with seating pieces designed for comfort and durability, while the overall aesthetic balances expressive design with practical performance in outdoor environments.
Alongside Catalina, Roche Bobois continues its creative partnership with Italian fashion house Missoni, presenting the Formentera collection. Vibrant Missoni textiles bring colour and character to modular outdoor seating, reinforcing the brand’s signature approach of blending fashion, art and furniture design into distinctive interior and exterior pieces.
Together these collections demonstrate how outdoor furniture is evolving beyond simple patio pieces to become a central part of contemporary architectural living. Materials, textures and craftsmanship now carry the same level of refinement expected inside the home, reflecting the growing importance of outdoor environments in modern residential design.
The collaboration with Stephen Burks also highlights Roche Bobois’ ongoing focus on working with influential designers whose perspectives extend beyond traditional furniture design.
Born in Chicago in 1969, Burks studied product design at the Illinois Institute of Technology before completing a Master of Architecture at Columbia University in New York. He later founded his Brooklyn-based studio, Stephen Burks Man Made, developing a practice that blends industrial design with craft traditions drawn from cultures around the world.
His work frequently involves collaborations with artisans, incorporating techniques such as weaving, basket making and cord work into contemporary product design. The approach brings a human dimension to industrial manufacturing while celebrating the diversity of global craft traditions.
Over the past two decades Burks’ work has been exhibited internationally, including presentations at institutions such as the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This ability to bridge craft, culture and contemporary design aligns naturally with Roche Bobois’ own philosophy. Founded in Paris in 1960, the brand has built its reputation on collaborating with leading designers and fashion houses to create furniture collections that combine innovation, artistry and technical expertise. Today the company operates in more than 55 countries, promoting its distinctive interpretation of French Art de Vivre around the world.
For visitors attending Milan Design Week, Roche Bobois will host presentations of the new outdoor collection at its showroom in the Durini Design District, welcoming guests by appointment throughout the week.
For Australian designers and homeowners inspired by what they see in Milan, Roche Bobois’ collections can also be experienced locally. The Roche Bobois Australia showroom in Roseville, Sydney, offers the opportunity to explore the brand’s latest furniture designs and discover how these globally celebrated pieces translate into contemporary interiors and outdoor spaces.
A 2/1015 Pacific Highway, Roseville, Sydney NSW
P 0283 765 084
E sydney@roche-bobois.com
W roche-bobois.com/en-AU/
