BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//The Design Weeks & Events Guide - ECPv6.17.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:The Design Weeks & Events Guide
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://designweekguide.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Design Weeks & Events Guide
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20240101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250219
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250303
DTSTAMP:20250203T173239Z
CREATED:20250203T173239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T173239Z
UID:4828-1739923200-1740959999@designweekguide.com
SUMMARY:The first Design Biennale Rotterdam
DESCRIPTION:Design Biennale Rotterdam: a bold new chapter in collectible design\nFor ten days\, from Thursday\, February 20\, to Sunday\, March 2\, Rotterdam hosts the first edition of Design Biennale Rotterdam. This city-wide event\, spanning more than 15 locations and featuring over 100 local and international designers\, will challenge perceptions of design and reality under the theme: What’s Real is Unfamiliar. With Rotterdam’s reputation for resilience and reinvention\, the Biennale invites visitors to explore the hidden complexities beneath the familiar\, questioning what we accept as real. \nA Movement\, Not Just an Event\nUnlike traditional design festivals\, Design Biennale Rotterdam is raw\, independent\, and powered by its community. Without reliance on subsidies\, it is built on the collective efforts of hundreds of designers\, curators\, and creators. This Biennale is not just an exhibition—it is a statement\, boldly positioning design as a tool for critical conversation and cultural evolution. \nDiscover Nomad St. Moritz 2025\, art & design \nCo-Founder Liv Vaisberg & Sarah Schulten. Photo by Michele Margot\, courtesy Design Biennale Rotterdam \nProgramme Highlights\nGroothandelsgebouw – This is Us\nA celebration of Rotterdam’s design spirit\, showcasing work from multiple generations of designers who blend industrial heritage with contemporary innovation. This exhibition reflects the city’s dynamic energy\, shaping its evolving design identity. Laurids Gallée will also unveil a new solo exhibition featuring an unseen collection of lighting designs. Groothandelsgebouw is also home to the exhibition Show not Show. Featuring six visionary designers – Frank Penders\, Lucas Zito\, Marc Meeuwissen (Dear Objects)\, Mokko (Aad Bos)\, Studio Fabius Clovis\, and Studio Luuk van Laarhoven – this exhibition showcases a mix of functional and autonomous objects\, each offering a fresh perspective on design. After the debut at Dutch Design Week 2024\, Show not Show returns\, at the inaugural Design Biennale Rotterdam.  \nDiscover Dutch Design Week 2024 \n \naSR Building on Weena – Reimagining Spaces\nAbandoned office spaces near Central Station become immersive exhibitions exploring the future of design. Highlights include: \n\nA radical rethinking of everyday furniture—chairs as symbols of transformation.\nA group exhibition curated by Barry Lewellyn\, questioning the role of ornamentation in contemporary design.\nA solo showcase by REM Atelier\, presenting thought-provoking spatial interventions.\n\nThe W70 venue\, a former offices building \nBaanhof – A Promise of Happiness\nOnce an electricity hub for the city’s public transport system\, Baanhof now hosts Robert van Oosterom’s curated selection of design pieces. This exhibition explores the balance between individuality and harmony\, with works by Umberto Bellardi Ricci\, Audrey Large\, Bram Vanderbeke\, and Najla El Zein. \nDiscover Bangkok Design Week 2025 \nThe Baanhof venue \nHuidenclub – Diaspora & Identity\nCurated by Biennale co-founder Liv Vaisberg\, this exhibition delves into the complexities of diaspora and cross-identity. It highlights how designers of mixed heritage reclaim traditions and challenge dominant cultural narratives through innovative design. \nDiscover World Design Congress 2025 \nThe Huidenclub venue \nKatoenhuis – Future Materials\nA deep dive into AI\, 3D printing\, and reimagined materials like plastic. This exhibition pushes the boundaries of sustainability and production\, redefining what is possible in design. \nDOEN & ELLE DECORATION – Fragments of Form\nA collaborative exploration of design through collage. Curated by Monique van der Reijden (ELLE DECORATION Netherlands) and Eva Pertijs (DOEN)\, this exhibition\, featuring Berry Dijkstra\, Pim Top\, and Marie Bernard\, challenges conventional design boundaries and reimagines composition. \nStore Projects – Emerging Talent\nYoung designers (ages 15–18) from underrepresented backgrounds present experimental glassworks created in Design Club workshops led by Rinke Joosten at STORE\, a socially engaged network of artists and designers. Their works are exhibited alongside pieces by Joosten\, fostering a dialogue between emerging and established creatives. \nProfessional Programme (February 19–20)\nExclusive to design professionals and enthusiasts\, the two-day professional programme offers: \n\nSymposiums on the intersection of design\, urbanism\, and identity.\nMasterclasses with leading designers.\nPrivate curator-led tours.\nNetworking events\, parties\, and early exhibition access.\n\nDesign conferences (Symposiums)\nDay 1: Design & the City (February 19)\nRotterdam’s innovative urban environment fosters experimental and socially driven design. Featuring a keynote by Joseph Zeal Henry\, sessions will explore how harbor cities drive creative innovation\, and the influence of Rotterdam’s working-class history on contemporary design. \nDay 2: Design & Identity (February 20)\nHow does design navigate cultural hybridity\, historical legacies\, and appropriation? This session will explore how to balance tradition with innovation. \nThe Design Biennale’s Ambassadorial and Honorary Network\nOur 5 hosts are established\, Rotterdam-based designers who will help to bring the Design Biennale to life through involvement in our programme\, creative contributions\, and fostering collaborations which connect the city’s design community internationally. \nAmbassadorial Host Designers\nAnna Aagaard Jensen Sabine Marcelis Chris Kabel\nLaurids Gallée Marga Weimans \nDesign Biennale Rotterdam 2025 — Participating Venues (confirmed so far)\nGallery Joey Ramone\, Baanhof\, DOEN\, Fundamental\, Groothandelsgebouw\, Huidenclub\, Katoenhuis\, Kunstfabriek\, Kunsthal\, Multi\, Nieuwe Instituut\, Spazio Viruly\, STORE Projects\, Team Thursday\, Voorhaven 57\, Weena 50 and Weena 70 \nDesign Biennale Rotterdam\, February 19-March 2\, 2025\, many locations\nCheck Design Biennale Rotterdam website for entry fees info\nPress and professional program: February 19-20\nDesign conferences: February 19-20\nPublic program: February 20\, March 2\nSize: 4 main venues\, 10 partners venues\nVisit DesignBiennaleRotterdam.com website for more info
URL:https://designweekguide.com/event/the-first-design-biennale-rotterdam/
LOCATION:Rotterdam\, Rotterdam\, 3012\, Netherlands
CATEGORIES:Design Festivals,Design Summit & Conferences
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://designweekguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Venue_Huidenclub.jpeg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR