next125 & Ankon Mitra: the Indian origami artist is our new Creative Maker

next125 presents its new Creative Maker: Indian architect and sculptor Ankon Mitra. With the Delhi-based creative, the premium brand has brought on board an artist whose work opens up new spaces and perspectives. The courage to create something extraordinary forms a lasting bond between the brand and the Creative Maker. His collaboration debuts with a stunning installation that will be on display during Milan Design Week this April.

By carefully folding fascinating materials like aluminium, wood, copper and paper into multi-layered, emotive figures, the Indian architect has coined the term ‘oritecture’ – the creative combination of origami and architecture. The joint approach to precision forms the basis of the design partnership between Ankon Mitra and next125.

A cooperation that makes creativity visible in many ways.
In the creative dialogue between form, function and emotion, the Creative Maker and next125 complement each other perfectly. They both share precision, attention to detail and a logical use of materials that is evident in each and every item. While next125 stands for clean lines, cubic forms and functional elegance, Ankon Mitra explores other dimensions of form and materials through his dynamic works. ‘As an international premium brand, we seek to continuously evolve and expose ourselves to new stimuli – Ankon Mitra’s understanding and interpretation of architecture challenges our design principles and provides inspiration to follow new paths in design and presentation,’ says CEO Markus Schüller.

UN:FOLD – shaping change
For next125, Mitra has developed an installation that illustrates his idea of ‘oritecture’ in all its facets. Folded aluminium has been used to create a round, three-dimensional frame that plays on different viewing angles and perspectives. The complex folds make the 8 × 8 m circular structure appear almost lifelike. The incoming light is reflected by the individual aluminium components to create a constantly changing dialogue of light and shadow.
The installation’s varying heights of up to four metres create a visual dynamism, while the truncated structure brings about flowing transitions. Ankon Mitra’s work captures the moment of transformation and shows how rigid materials can be shaped into lifelike structures. ‘UN:FOLD’ gives shape to constant change.
Design, art and architecture enthusiasts can experience ‘UN:FOLD’ at Superstudio in Milan from 20 to 26 April 2026. There, at Via Tortona 24, the installation is part of Milan Design Week. Furthermore, to mark the opening, the visual theme of ‘UN:FOLD’ will be presented in a press release.

About Ankon Mitra: Rethinking origami
As a graduate of The Bartlett Faculty at University College London, the architect, sculptor and landscape designer has gained international acclaim as a pioneer of folding techniques. He was awarded the All-India Gold Medal for Sculpture in 2018 and the Lexus Design Award for Craft Design in 2020. With his idea of ‘oritecture’ (origami + architecture), he shares his vision of a universe forming and dissolving through acts of folding. Recently, Mitra has exhibited at Cheongju Craft Biennale in South Korea (2025) and was one of the main artists at the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial in Perth, Australia (2024), two of the most renowned craft exhibitions worldwide.

The brand
next125 is Schüller’s international premium brand. Attention to detail is synonymous with next125 kitchens. Inspired by the structures of the Bauhaus movement, next125 combines craftsmanship, technology, design and architecture at the highest level with the latest industrial manufacturing techniques. The result is exceptionally elegant kitchens offering excellent value for money for quality and design-conscious customers in the mid and upper market segments. The next125 products have already been awarded a number of design prizes, such as the German Design Award or the Red Dot Award. Visit the website to find out more at www.next125.com

The company
Based in Herrieden in southern Germany, Schüller Möbelwerk GmbH was founded in 1966 and has evolved over the last five decades into a specialist for custom kitchens and ‘Made in Germany’ furniture. Around 170,000 kitchens are manufactured at the company site every year, which are sold in Germany and on international markets. ‘Typical Schüller’ is not just about its extraordinary depth of production; it’s also about working with partners from retail, a clear focus on sustainability and a deeply embedded responsibility as a company. Since 2003, Markus Schüller, Max Heller and Manfred Niederauer have led the family-run company in its second generation.