Dutch designer Marcel Wanders will be the principal guest of honour at this year’s DesignBlok. On Thursday, 8 October 2026, he will personally receive the DesignBlok Award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Design. The award ceremony will take place in the historic Central Hall of the Industrial Palace at Výstaviště Praha, where DesignBlok will be the first major event to return following the building’s extensive reconstruction.
The winners will receive DesignBlok’s traditional trophy in the shape of a log – a reference to wood as one of the most fundamental natural materials and a symbol of togetherness and belonging to the same tribe. For this year’s edition, the trophy has been reimagined as a crystal log, designed by Moser Creative Director Jan Plecháč and hand-cut by the master craftsmen of the renowned Karlovy Vary glassworks.
Marcel Wanders is one of the most distinctive figures in contemporary global design. Since the 1990s, his work has challenged the boundaries between craft and industrial production, decoration and construction, tradition and technological innovation, while bringing emotion, imagination and human experience back to the centre of design. His iconic Knotted Chair from 1996 became a symbol of this approach, while projects such as the Skygarden light for Flos, his work for Moooi, which he co-founded 25 years ago, and the richly layered interiors of the Mondrian Doha hotel demonstrate the breadth of his practice across product design, lighting and interior design.
“I have always believed that design is not about creating things, but about creating meaning. Objects can make our lives easier, but their true purpose is to inspire us, comfort us, connect us and remind us of our humanity. To receive this award is a great honour, not only for the work I have done, but for the belief that imagination, beauty and emotion still have an important place in the world we are building together”
— Marcel Wanders.
The Holešovice-based showroom Bulb will present iconic designs by this year’s main DesignBlok guest, Marcel Wanders, alongside work by the Dutch brand Moooi.
The DesignBlok Gala on 8 October will include the presentation of the DesignBlok Awards 2026. An international expert jury chaired by Max Fraser, Editor-in-Chief of Dezeen, will recognise the best concepts, innovations, new releases and presentations. The awards also include the Impact Award, recognising a project with a significant contribution to sustainability or society. The winner will receive CZK 100,000 from Allwyn. Read more about the international jury and the DesignBlok Awards categories here.
DesignBlok 2026 will be open to the public from 7–11 October 2026 at the Trade Fair Palace of the National Gallery Prague, the Prague Castle Riding Hall and Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, the UMPRUM Technology Centre Mikulandská and the historic Central Hall of the Industrial Palace at Výstaviště Praha. Professionals’ Day will take place on 6 October, together with the first day of the DesignBlok Talks conference, which will continue on Wednesday, 7 October. The festival will also extend to dozens of showrooms, galleries, shops and other venues across Prague. Tickets are available at a discounted advance price until Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
