For the second time during the international DesignBlok festival, the platform for lectures, discussions, and networking among professionals across disciplines will come alive—the DesignBlok Talks conference. This is a long-term initiative aimed at strengthening the professional dimension of the festival, making Designblok Talks an integral part of Professionals’ Day ↗︎ and a key pillar of the professional program for the 28th edition of DesignBlok.
DesignBlok Talks Conference
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Date
October 6–7, 2026
- Location
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Language
Czech, english, with interpretation
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Practical information
Automatic translation on screens, Wheelchair access, WC
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International Guests
This year, over 40 industry leaders from the Czech Republic and abroad will take the stage. Leading global architects, designers, and directors of prestigious brands will present. You will thus gain direct access to the global elite shaping the current industry.
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Networking Opportunity
The conference is a key B2B platform, attended by 530 accredited professionals last year. Therefore, it is expanding into a two-day format this year. This will provide you with an ideal space to directly reach out to developers, architects, and manufacturers during Professionals’ Day.
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Source of Inspiration
Three program blocks open up topics on the future of design, architecture, and living. The program is co-created by the global design portal Dezeen. The exclusivity of the partnership is underscored by hosting the very first event in the central hall of the newly reconstructed Industrial Palace.
About the conference
The DesignBlok Talks conference is expanding to two days and is the first event to open the newly reconstructed Industrial Palace. This year’s central theme is Light. The three blocks—Future of Design, Future of Architecture, and Future of Living—are created in collaboration with Dezeen magazine. Look forward to industry icons on a stage designed by Marek Cpin, moderated discussions, and exclusive networking.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
2 days
500+ professionals
40+ speakers
10 countries
25+ talks and panels
“The knowledge and the insight of the speakers are inspirational and invigorating to all the audience, I highly recommend anyone working in the creative industry to join this talk.”
David
Industry Professional
“The presenters were amazingly visionary and passionate. I loved to see that also czech designers were on such a high level of quality. To me as I am still a student they were really inspiring.”
Sarah
Design Student
“The atmosphere, the quality of the guests and the possibility of personal contact with the speakers.”
James
Architect
“I appreciated the insight into the future of Prague, whether from BIG or MVRDV, the stories of individual designers in general, and the opportunity to see Erwan Bouroullec.”
Tereza
Festival visitor
Program
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6. 10. Tuesday
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Future of Design
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09:00–09:35
Material as a medium of light
Moderated talk
- Moderator: Max Fraser
- Participants: Laurids Gallée, Jan Plecháč
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09:35–09:45
From tradition to bizarre
Presentation
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Jakub Berdych (Artglass)
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09:45–10:15
Czech glassmaking ecosystem 2.0
Moderated talk
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Patrik Krejsa (Ravak), Jan Rabell (Brokis), Martin Wichterle (Rückl)
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10:15–10:30
A view from both the outside and the inside
One to one interview
- Moderator: Max Fraser
- Participants: Leon Jakimič (Lasvit), Catherine Shaw (Rizzoli)
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10:30–10:55
Daylight
Keynote
- Moderator: Max Fraser
- Participants: Daniel Rybakken
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10:55–11:05
Storytelling through light
Presentation
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Kateřina Handlová
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Future of Architecture
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11:15–11:25
The memory of place and contemporary lifestyle
Presentation
- Moderator: Petr Bakoš
- Participants: Zástupce Průmyslového paláce na Výstavišti
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11:25–11:50
Nordic light
Lecture
- Moderator: Ben Hobson
- Participants: Patrick Lüth (Snøhetta)
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11:50–12:05
Název (EN)
Podtitulek (EN)
- Moderator: Moderátor
- Participants: Jan Řežáb (JRD)
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12:05–12:20
A facade beyond the building – Vinohradská 8
Q&A panel
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Jakub Cigler (Penta), Účastník (PSN)
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12:20–12:40
Space for art
Presentation
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: David Musil (PSN)
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12:40–13:00
Lights and shadows
Moderated talk
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Zuzana Basterrech, Hynek Medřický
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7. 10. Wednesday
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Future of Living
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09:00–09:25
Spatial experience
Moderated talk
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Marek Cpin, Jakub Janďourek (Dechem), Michaela Tomišková (Dechem)
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09:25–09:55
Luminaire as creator of an atmosphere
Keynote
- Moderator: Max Fraser
- Participants: Lee Broom
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09:55–10:15
Emotions in the (spot)light
Moderated talk
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Václav Mlynář, Maxim Velčovský
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10:15–10:35
Diffusion through material
Moderated dialogue
- Moderator: Ben Hobson
- Participants: Sebastian Herkner
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10:35–11:00
Spectrum of trends
Dialogue
- Moderator: Ben Hobson
- Participants: Hanna Nova Beatrice, Judith van Vliet
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11:00–11:20
Název (EN)
Presentation
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Jakub Huráb (LD Seating), Lucie Koldová
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11:10–11:30
Two Bosses of Italian Design
Moderated Talk
- Moderator: Ben Hobson
- Participants: Alberto Perazza (Magis), Federico Palazzari (Nemo, FontanaArte, Driade)
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11:50–12:20
Pause
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12:20–12:50
How taste is formed?
Moderated talk
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: David Řezníček (Konsepti), Miroslav Stopka (Stopka), Jiří Zavadil (Vitra)
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12:50–13:20
Název (EN)
Discussion
- Moderator: Cyril Zammit
- Participants: Christophe Delcourt, Francesca Molteni
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13:20–13:40
Název (EN)
Presentation
- Moderator: Cyril Zammit
- Participants: Pascale Mussard Siegrist
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13:40–14:00
Bright future
Presentation
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Maria Gal Tkačová (Gehl Archi+), Luboš Veselý (KKFF), Účastník (U/U Studio)
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14:00–14:20
Resilience
Keynote
- Moderator: Ben Hobson
- Participants: Stanley Wong
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14:20–14:50
Thinking through light
Keynote
- Moderator: Ben Hobson
- Participants: Claudio Silvestrin
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14:50–15:00
A metaphysical finale?
Closing presentation
- Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
- Participants: Eva Eisler
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Moderators
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Max Fraser (GBR)
Editorial Director, Dezeen ■ Former Deputy Director, London Design Festival
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Benedict Hobson (GBR)
Co-CEO, Dezeen ■ Design journalist
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PŠ
Petr Šimůnek (CZE)
Moderator ■ Former editor-in-chief, Forbes
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Cyril Zammit (UAE)
Founder, Design Days Dubai ■ Design advisor
Speakers
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Lee Broom (GBR)
Designer ■ Lighting Artist
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Patrick Lüth (AUS)
Architect ■ Managing Director, Snøhetta Studio Innsbruck
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Daniel Rybakken (NOR)
Lighting designer ■ Artist
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CS
Claudio Silvestrin (ITA)
Architect ■ Designer
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SW
Stanley Wong (HKG)
Visual artist ■ Designer
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Hanna Nova Beatrice (SWE)
Founder, The New Era Magazine ■ Former Director, Stockholm Furniture Fair and Stockholm Design Week
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Marek Cpin (CZE)
Scenographer ■ Costume Designer
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Laurids Gallée (NLD)
Founder, Studio Laurids Gallée ■ Designer
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David Řezníček (CZE)
Founder and CEO, Konsepti ■ Vice-Chairman, Association of Czech Industrial Design
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Judith van Vliet (ESP)
Founder, The Color Authority ■ Expert in Color Strategy and CMF Design
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Martin Wichterle (CZE)
Co-owner, BOMMA and Rückl ■ Chairman, Association of Czech Industrial Design
Tickets
Ticket for the two-day DesignBlok Talks conference, including access to Professionals’ Day (October 6, 2026, 1:00–5:00 PM), with the option to visit the festival outside public hours and meet exhibitors in person.
It also includes a standard festival ticket for the public for the entire duration of the event.
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Conference Pass & Festival Pass
2,400 CZK
ticket for the DesignBlok Talks program and standard festival admission
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VIP Conference Pass & VIP Festival Pass
5,900 CZK
access to the VIP Networking Lounge with unlimited refreshments, plus all VIP Festival Pass benefits
