Designblok Talks
07. 10. 2025
New Spiral
A brand new platform for lectures, discussions and meetings for professionals across disciplines. Designblok Talks are becoming the newest addition to the programming of the festival.
A brand new platform for lectures, discussions and meetings for professionals across disciplines. Designblok Talks are becoming the newest addition to the programming of the festival.
It is our long-term vision that Designblok Talks will become an integral part of the festival's annual professional programme, but will also allow us to initiate events and activities throughout the year. We aim to create a signature event that will become a key meeting point for architects, designers, developers, journalists and other professionals.
The conference will consist of lectures and moderated discussions with leading professionals from the field of design and architecture. The event also includes an opportunity for vast networking. The program also includes exclusive access to Designblok exhibits by companies, brands and manufacturers. It is a unique opportunity to establish new connections and create new collaborations.
Date: Tuesday, 7. 10. 2025
Location: The New Spiral at Prague Exhibition Grounds
Additional names of speakers and complete programme schedule will follow.
The conference program will be divided into five thematic blocks, with the unifying motif being the theme of Courage, which runs throughout this year’s Designblok. The program blocks “The Future of Design” and “The Future of Prague” are being prepared in collaboration with Dezeen magazine and will focus on current topics in contemporary design, architecture, and urbanism in the context of Prague. The architecture section is also partnered with the Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP).
Within the block “The Future of Living”, we will present designers and projects that are diverse, yet all share an innovative approach to the way we live and will present us their vision on the future of living.
The afternoon program will bring networking opportunities, culminating in two keynote talks by studio Snøhetta and designer Erwan Bouroullec. These presentations will close the program, just before the Designblok opening ceremony.
09:00–10:00 Registration and Coffee Break
10:00–10:10 Conference Start – Welcome Speech
10:10–11:30 The Future of Design, presented by Dezeen
Moderated by: Max Fraser
Speakers: Sabine Marcelis, Cyril Zammit, Yoko Choy, Patrick Norguet, Lucie Koldová
Presentation and panel discussion
11:45–12:45 The Future of Living
Speakers: Jakub Cigler, Stanislav Martinec and Marie Schüller, Jakub Vrzala and Jan Černý, Bernard Dubois
Presentations of selected projects
12:45–13:45 Lunch Break
13:45–15:00 Visit to the exhibitions as part of Professionals’ Day
All conference attendees have the opportunity to attend the Professionals' Day and preview the festival exhibitions.
Location: Křižík's pavilions
15:00–16:00 Keynote Speech – Marius Myking (Snøhetta)
Moderated by: David Řezníček
Presentation and discussion
16:15–17:45 The Future of Prague, curated by CAMP presented by Dezeen
Moderated by: Benedict Hobson
Speakers: Winy Maas, Rozálie Kašparová, Jan Magasanik
Presentation and panel discussion
18:00–18:45 Keynote Speech – Erwan Bouroullec
Moderated by: Eva Slunečková
Moderated discussion
18:50 Closing of Designblok Talks
19:00 Desigblok Grand Opening
Renowned designer and artist working across disciplines, practicing industrial and non industrial product design (France)
Director of product design at Snøhetta - a transdisciplinary, dialogue-driven studio including architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, art, product design, graphic and digital design (Norway)
Head of Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP), cultular manager focused on connecting professionals and the public in the fields of urban planning and architecture. (Czech Republic)
Architect and urban planner, founder of the studio Jakub Cigler Architekti, known for his innovative projects of residential and public buildings in Prague and abroad. (Czech Republic)
Fashion designer and creative director, founder of Jan Société, known for his innovative men and unisex collections inspired by modern urbanity. (Czech Republic)
Design journalist, co-founder Collective Contemporist), Wallpaper China editor (Hong Kong)
Architect and designer, known for his analytical approach that blends architecture, interior design, and furniture (Belgium)
A design writer, curator, and editor, currently serving as Editorial Director of Dezeen magazine (United Kingdom)
Design media executive, co-CEO at Dezeen magazine (United Kingdom)
Architect and urban planner, she worked at the Institute of Planning and Development with a focus on public space, and is a co-founder of the urban design practice STUDIO BISTRO (Czech Republic)
Acclaimed product and furniture designer based in Prague, since 2014 appointed as art director of Brokis (Czech Republic)
Architect, urban planner and landscape designer, founder of MVRDV studio (The Netherlands)
Architect involved in significant international projects one of leading architects at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Copenhagen, born in the Czech Republic
A world-renowned artist and designer working in the fields of object and installation design (The Netherlands)
Founder and CEO KOMA MODULAR (Czech Republic)
A Celebrated French designer known for his innovative approach to furniture and interior design (France)
Founder & Owner Konsepti. (Czech Republic)
Marketing Director KOMA MODULAR (Czech Republic)
Design journalist and curator. (Czech Republic)
Designer and Creative Director at Ravak. (Czech Republic)
Innovator in residential development, partner at ESTY. (Czech Republic)
Cultural strategist and design expert, co-founder of Dubai Design Week (France)
Managing Director of Vitra. (Czech Republic)
Currently we are offering tickets for the Designblok Talks conference in a discounted combination with a festival pass for Designblok itself. We are starting with the first wave of pre-sale tickets at a discounted price, this number of tickets is limited.
Please note that the Designblok Talks conference is accessible after purchasing or receiving a separate ticket for this event. Accreditation for the Professionals Day does not allow entry to Designblok Talks.
