Brussels Design September 2022: “Design is the answer”

The month of September promises to offer a wealth of design related initiatives and projects. Museums, galleries, workshops, schools, shops and new shared spaces will showcase the best of Brussels’ creativity in terms of design and innovation. From 13 to 30 September, through a varied programme of activities, Brussels Design September 2022 will give the public the opportunity to meet designers and ask questions about current topical issues: the usage of our planet’s resources, environmental challenges and mobility.

It is no longer sufficient for an object to just be ‘useful’ and ‘beautiful’; it now has to be sustainable. Design concerns everyone. In addition to the product and the material used to produce it, the way the object is used and its impact on users are also important factors. Production and sourcing are taking an increasing precedence over other considerations. In September, we will shine a spotlight on entrepreneurs who are active in upcycling and circular and collaborative design. The festival will showcase achievements, promote discussions and propose solutions and exchanges in temporary occupied locations.

Promoting reuse industries and sustainability

The Arts&Crafts programme of this 2022 edition will detail restoration initiatives and highlight reuse and upcycling concepts. Three different and complementary approaches that add an extra dimension to how we see objects and the materials used to produce them, reflecting on how we go about conserving, re-using, enhancing, modifying, etc. Arts&Crafts facilitates encounters between the public and artisans, artists, entrepreneurs and scientists involved in the search for alternatives to new objects.

Commerce Design Awards

The Commerce Design Awards first started rewarding the most attractive stores in Brussels – the creations of emerging or established architects boosted by the creativity of entrepreneurs, ten years ago. On the occasion of this special anniversary edition, Brussels Design September will launch a reflection on the design of commercial spaces within the context of new challenges and specific needs.

Contemporary Design Market: a more inclusive market reflecting the diversity of Belgium and Brussels – 24 and 25 September

Belgium is renowned for its creativity and Brussels for its cosmopolitanism and multiculturalism. The CDM will highlight this combination that is a source of pride, during a reflexion on all the different forms of contemporary design: different approaches and cultural contexts, styles, colours and visual languages.

Guest of honour: Studiokhachatryan
Young guest of honour: Thibeau Scarceriaux
Guest duo: Gilles Mayk Navangi & Pieter Bostoen

Brussels Design Market: environmentally-friendly vintage and second-hand purchases- 24 and 25 September

20th anniversary! Brussels has an infinite number of precious places where one can find items that appeal to all tastes and interiors. Vintage objects have an obvious ethical dimension, and the city is a treasure-trove buzzing with friendly, offbeat shops dedicated to old and second-hand design items. This is the 20th year that the Brussels Design Market will be bringing together around 100 traders who come from all over Europe especially for the occasion.

The conferences encourage information sharing between designers and the public.
They also provide an alternative opportunity to explore the different topics in greater depth through lively conversations and multimedia shows.

14 September: Conference with an architect – designer from Ukraine, Victoria Yakusa, will present her work rooted in Ukrainian culture.
20 September: Conference on third places, with screening of the film “Faites au Village” by Léa Lebru and Liloé Duchesne
21 September: Screening of and debate on the film “The Object Becomes” by Alaxandre Humbert and Giovanna Massoni for Belgium is Design.

More info: designseptember.be