The Balvenie and Samuel Ross Reveal Transposition at Milan Design Week

Today, The Balvenie and Dr Samuel Ross MBE alongside his atelier SR_A reveal TRANSPOSITION, a bold immersive interpretation of whisky’s alchemy. A collision of worlds, this site-specific Artwork aims to challenge expectation and opens as a gateway to new experiences and discovery. A unique sensory hospitality experience, inviting guests to immerse themselves between vertical rivers, interwoven sound and reflections, set within the Historic Foundry in Isola.

Long championing the significance of craft through his abstract and industrial approach to producing works, Samuel’s vision for TRANSPOSITION was conceived at The Balvenie Distillery in Scotland. This Artwork is rooted within the dramatic landscapes that shape the whisky and struck by The Balvenie’s reverence to craft, its alchemic production and innovation, Samuel’s initial encounter evolved into a bold visual statement.

Playing with the transformation of materials and sensorial provocation, TRANSPOSITION brings to life the interwoven stories of craft and community that is at the heart of The Balvenie and aims to break through the romanticised tropes of whisky, merging craft, the natural world and the industrial.

The decision to showcase the work in Milan’s Historic Foundry was deliberate, the historic industrial space providing a perfect backdrop for a work that awakens materials and mindsets, honouring both contemporary and heritage design language. The imposing copper frames are a direct reference to The Balvenie’s distillation techniques incorporating industrial materials and brutalist forms that echo the distillery’s architecture. This industrial silhouette is a striking contrast to the interplay of mist, light and sound, introducing a movement and transformation that mirrors the unique fifty-year evolution through maturation of The Balvenie Fifty Collection.

Ross's iconic yellow accents punctuate the installation, acting as beacons of innovation and progress. These vibrant elements symbolise the contemporary future of The Balvenie craft. The intense hue radiates through the space, a visual dialogue between tradition and innovation.

“TRANSPOSITION is a collision of worlds, a cultural immersion that engages on multiple levels. A gateway to a new experience, this work aims to challenge expectations and explore the boundaries of culture and hospitality.”

Guests are invited to enjoy signature cocktails from The Balvenie’s bespoke bar, and move through the work, transported between different sensory states and emotional responses.

As an extension of the experience to enhance guests’ enjoyment across Milan Design Week, Samuel Ross and his atelier SR_A have designed a limited release of thoughtful touchpoints inspired by this creative collaboration with The Balvenie. Gifts include a bespoke Milan Design Week TRANSPOSITION inspired shopper and hoody.

TRANSPOSITION promises a duality of experience which merges generations, senses and domains into a transcendent experience.

TRANSPOSITION by The Balvenie x Samuel Ross was unveiled at Milan Design Week on 8th April 2025.

Opening times: Tuesday 8th 11am – 5pm, Wednesday 9th to Friday 11th 11am – 8pm Address: Historic Foundry, Isola District, Via Genova Thaon di Revel, 21 Milano

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About The Balvenie:

The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by Kelsey McKechnie. Each expression in The Balvenie portfolio has an individual taste, underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.

The Balvenie is dedicated to the five rare crafts that are used to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site – making The Balvenie the most handcrafted of single malts.

The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller, founded by William Grant in 1887 and today run by his direct descendants.

Dr Samuel Ross MBE:

Ross’ contributions to fashion, design & the arts have been well-documented, with Awards including three British Fashion Awards, two GQ Awards, The Hublot Design Prize and the EDIDA Award. Ross has been awarded two doctorates. Ross’ practice spans from solo exhibitions with White Cube and Friedman Benda to innovative wearable objects engineered with LVMH, NIKE and Apple. His artworks are held in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the V&A.

In 2014, Ross founded A-Cold-Wall*, a luxury sportswear brand, which he sold in 2023 after establishing global stores and collaborations, including A-Cold-Wall* x NIKE.

In 2019, Ross founded SR_A, focusing on artisan-driven industrial beautification of garments, objects and space. In 2024, SR_A entered a joint venture with ZARA. In 2020, he launched the Black British Artist Grants Programme, providing funding to 50 artists.

SR_A Company Bio

SR_A is a British Maison. Founded in London in 2019 by Dr. Samuel Ross MBE and his longtime business partner Yi Ng. Its function is that of an ongoing exploration into the artisan-driven, industrial beautification of garments, objects and space.

SR_A seeks to combine the essence of British craft and heritage, with future technologies and environments. Across these endeavours, two philosophies remain a priority. Factor one - Artisan, crafted solutions for the body, each piece hand-treated and unique. Factor two - Experimental environments one can discover, through digital and physical engagements. Re-inventing the essence of the Artist, and the Crafts-person through unique processes, defines a new relationship between craft and technology, revealing regional cadences to select clients.

Partners of the Maison include long-term joint ventures and partnerships with LVMH, Inditex and Apple Group via Beats with industry wide accolades and recognition from LVMH, Wallpaper, Elle Decor.