Design Biennale Rotterdam is a ten-day citywide showcase exploring what design means today. From 20 February to 2 March 2025, Rotterdam will transform into a destination for forward-thinking design and fresh perspectives. Featuring exhibitions, experiences, and conferences across cultural institutions and unexpected venues, the Biennale will present local talent and global design figures, positioning design as a transformative force for change.
Building on Rotterdam’s legacy of reinvention, a city built on resilience, and a future-focused community, the Biennale rethinks design’s role in shaping the world. Through innovative exhibitions and immersive experiences, it challenges conventional ideas and explores unexpected contexts. As a platform envisioning new possibilities, the event highlights Rotterdam as a city where design shapes the future.
The programme will begin with two special Early Extended Programme, providing an enhanced professional experience featuring conferences, private parties, and exclusive tours. Following these, the Biennale Pass will be available for both professionals and the interested public, offering unlimited access to all venues and a special side programme throughout the event.
A PROMISE OF HAPPINESS
In ‘A Promise of Happiness,’ we explore how creative freedom transcends rigid structures and unlocks new forms of beauty. By working with unconventional materials and pushing the boundaries of execution, the pieces on display evolve with an alluring sense of compassion and depth. The designers we have invited present an aesthetic that goes beyond the superficial – a promise of happiness that lingers in the details. Through their materials and techniques, they seem to tell us narratives that both enrich and surprise, revealing how experimentation fosters deeper understanding and unexpected allure.
