Rotterdam’s inaugural Design Biennale transforms the city into a hub of innovation and creativity, embracing the theme What’s Real is Unfamiliar. Rooted in the city’s no-nonsense ethos of reinvention and resilience, the event challenges perceptions of reality and familiarity by revealing deeper, often unexplored layers of design. The theme acts as a lens through which the event engages with unfamiliar narratives, materials and processes. It aims to push participants to consider how crafted works can mediate between tradition and innovation. This underscores an essential tension in contemporary design; the need to balance the exploration of new technologies with a respect for cultural and historical context.

Rotterdam’s industrial heritage and reconstruction era have defined its approach to architecture and urban design. The biennale adds a new layer to this legacy, one that transcends practicality to delve into the social, cultural and emotional dimensions of the built environment. This evolution signals a broader effort to reshape the city’s identity, turning it from a centre of production into a space for reflection and experimentation.

The event, held from February 20 to March 2, 2025, with exhibitions, talks and events spread across more than 15 iconic locations. Powered by the collective efforts of local and international designers, curators and creators, the event thrives on collaboration and independence, showcasing design as a tool for critical conversation and meaningful transformation. Over 100 designers explore themes of cultural hybridity, innovation, sustainability and the redefinition of everyday objects, bringing a raw energy and experimental spirit to venues across the city. Liv Vaisberg and Sarah Schulten, co-founders of the biennale, articulate the essence of the event as mentioned in the press release: “Rotterdam’s direct approach reflects the innovative spirit of today’s designers. This biennale will not only highlight the best in design but also ignite important conversations about how design can shape a better future.”

The biennale unfolds across a variety of settings, where each venue reflects its distinct character and purpose within its larger narrative. The Groothandelsgebouw hosts This is Us, an exhibition celebrating bold works from Rotterdam designers across generations, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge design alongside industrial designer Laurids Gallée’s solo show featuring a new collection of lighting designs debuting for the first time.

The aSR Building on Weena, previously an abandoned office space near Central Station, now serves as a canvas for a group exhibition exploring the intersection of present and future, featuring Irish designer Barry Llewellyn’s take on ornamentation, a group show examining furniture design as agents of change and a solo presentation by REM Atelier.

At Baanhof, a former electricity building, that once managed the city’s public transportation systems, A Promise of Happiness curated by interior architect Robert van Oosterom showcases works that explore individuality and harmony, with contributions from Umberto Bellardi Ricci, Audrey Large, Bram Vanderbeke and Najla El Zein.

The Huidenclub sees co-founder Vaisberg curating an exhibition exploring the complexities of diaspora and cross-identity, showcasing how designers of mixed heritage navigate cultural hybridity by reclaiming traditions and crafting new narratives that challenge dominant perspectives. Meanwhile, the expansive venue of Katoenhuis pushes sustainable design norms with explorations of AI, 3D printing and reimagined materials like plastic.

At DOEN, Fragments of Form is presented in collaboration with ELLE Decoration, the Netherlands. Curated by Monique van der Reijden and Eva Pertijs, the collage-inspired exhibition invites a new perspective on the re-compositional nature of design, featuring works by Berry Dijkstra, Pim Top and Marie Bernard.

STORE Projects bridges emerging and established talent through a showcase of experimental glassworks created by aspiring designers aged 15–18 years during the Design Club workshops. Led by Rinke Joosten, these workshops are part of STORE, a socially engaged collective of artists, architects and designers operating between London and Rotterdam. The pieces, crafted using Joosten’s techniques, are displayed alongside her select works, fostering a dialogue that highlights the synergy between new voices and seasoned expertise.

Guiding the biennale are five ambassadorial hosts, each bringing a unique perspective to the event. Sabine Marcelis, renowned for her innovative use of light and material, explores how perception shapes interaction with design, emphasising the transformative potential of everyday materials. Anna Aagaard Jensen’s bold approach to form and gender identity challenges traditional norms, curating spaces that provoke dialogue and celebrate individuality. Laurids Gallée bridges modern design with traditional craftsmanship, highlighting the relationship between function and ornamentation. Chris Kabel transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary with his innovative take on everyday objects, fostering connections between design and the natural world. Finally, Marga Weimans, a trailblazer in fashion design, combines architecture, technology and storytelling to explore how fashion can redefine spaces and cultural narratives. These hosts exemplify the biennale’s commitment to inclusivity, collaboration and pushing the boundaries of creative practice.

The professional programme commenced on February 19-20, 2025, with symposiums, masterclasses and exclusive curator-led tours at Nieuwe Instituut and Huidenclub. Keynote speaker Joseph Zeal Henry, a designer, urbanist and curator whose work bridges cultural production and equitable urban development, led discussions on how the industrious spirit of harbour cities drives innovation. The programme also featured a conversation with the biennale’s local ambassadorial hosts about the city’s creative pulse and examined how Rotterdam’s working-class history shapes the value and definition of contemporary design.

The second day explored how design navigates the complexities of cultural hybridity, identity and appropriation in a globalised world. How do designers address historical legacies, balance tradition with innovation and reclaim heritage while challenging dominant narratives? How can design transcend reductive portrayals and foster meaningful, contemporary cultural dialogues?

The inaugural edition sets the stage for conversations about the role of creative practices in shaping cultural narratives and addressing pressing global challenges. However, its true impact depends on whether these discussions can extend beyond the 10-day event, bridging temporary exhibitions with practical outcomes. The biennale has opened the door; now, it remains to be seen how its ideas will resonate in the real world.

Design Biennale Rotterdam is on from February 20 to March 2, 2025, across multiple venues and mediums.