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DesignBlok Talks Conference

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Program

  • 6. 10. Tuesday

    • 09:00–09:05

      Conference Opening
      • Participants: Petr Šimůnek, Danica Kovářová

    • Future of Design

    • 09:05–09:08

      Introduction

      Opening of the Block

      • Participants: Max Fraser (Dezeen)

    • 09:08–09:35

      Material as a Medium of Light

      Moderated Dialogue

      • Moderator: Max Fraser (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Laurids Gallée, Jan Plecháč (Moser)

    • 09:35–09:45

      From Tradition to the Bizarre

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Jakub Berdych Karpelis (Artglass)

    • 09:45–10:15

      Ecosystem 2.0

      Moderated Talk

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Jan Rabell (Brokis), Patrik Kreysa (Ravak), Martin Wichterle (Bomma, Rückl)

    • 10:15–10:30

      A View from Outside and Inside

      Moderated Dialogue

      • Moderator: Max Fraser (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Leon Jakimič (Lasvit), Catherine Shaw (Rizzoli)

    • 10:30–10:55

      Daylight

      Keynote

      • Moderator: Max Fraser (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Daniel Rybakken

    • 10:55–11:05

      Storytelling Through Light

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Kateřina Handlová

    • Future of Architecture

    • 11:10–11:15

      Introduction

      Opening of the Block

      • Participants: Petr Šimůnek

    • 11:15–11:25

      Radiant Industrial Palace

      Presentation

      • Participants: Petr Bakoš (Na Výstavišti)

    • 11:25–11:50

      Nordic Light

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Max Fraser (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Patrick Lüth (Snøhetta)

    • 11:50–12:05

      The Most Sustainable Housing in Czechia. How Is It Built?

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Jan Řežáb (JRD)

    • 12:05–12:20

      New Gateway to Vinohrady

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Jaroslav Macháč (PSN), Tomáš Popadič (Penta Real Estate)

    • 12:20–12:40

      The Courage to Make Space for Art

      Q&A Talk

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Marie Foltýnová (GHMP), Karolína Hýsková (Penta Art)

    • 12:40–13:00

      Lights and Shadows in the City

      Moderated Talk

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Lenka Maierová (ČVUT), Hynek Medřický, Pavla Melková (MCA atelier)
  • 7. 10. Wednesday

    • Future of Living

    • 09:00–09:05

      Introduction

      Opening of the Block

      • Participants: Petr Šimůnek, Danica Kovářová, Ben Hobson (Dezeen)

    • 09:05–09:25

      Spatial Experience

      Moderated Talk

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Marek Cpin (DesignBlok), Jakub Janďourek & Michaela Tomišková (Dechem)

    • 09:25–09:55

      Lighting as a Creator of Atmosphere

      Keynote

      • Moderator: Max Fraser (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Lee Broom

    • 09:55–10:15

      Emotions in the (Spot)light

      Moderated Talk

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Václav Mlynář (Bomma), Maxim Velčovský (Lasvit)

    • 10:15–10:35

      A Spectrum of Trends

      Moderated Talk

      • Moderator: Ben Hobson (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Hanna Nova Beatrice (The New Era), Judith van Vliet (The Color Authority)

    • 10:35–11:00

      Diffusion Through Material

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Ben Hobson (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Sebastian Herkner

    • 11:00–11:20

      Softness Is a Hard Discipline

      Moderated Dialogue

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Jakub Huráb (LD Seating), Lucie Koldová

    • 11:20–12:00

      Two Bosses of Italian Design

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Ben Hobson (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Federico Palazzari (Nemo Lighting), Alberto Perazza (Magis)

    • 12:00–12:20

      Break

    • 12:20–12:50

      How Is Taste Formed?

      Moderated Panel

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: David Řezníček (Konsepti), Miroslav Stopka (Stopka), Jiří Zavadil (Vitra)

    • 12:50–13:20

      The Family you Choose

      Moderated Dialogue

      • Moderator: Cyril Zammit
      • Participants: Christophe Delcourt (Molteni&C), Francesca Molteni (Molteni&C)

    • 13:20–13:40

      Where Necessity Ends

      Moderated Talk

      • Moderator: Cyril Zammit
      • Participants: Pascale Mussard

    • 13:40–14:00

      Bright Future?

      Presentation

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Maria Gal Tkačová (Gehl Architects), Luboš Veselý (Karel Komárek Family Foundation)

    • 14:00–14:25

      The Art of Resilience

      Keynote

      • Moderator: Ben Hobson (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Stanley Wong (anothermountainman)

    • 14:25–14:55

      Thinking Through Light

      Keynote

      • Moderator: Ben Hobson (Dezeen)
      • Participants: Claudio Silvestrin (Claudio Silvestrin Architects)

    • 14:55–15:05

      Radiant Finale

      Speech

      • Moderator: Petr Šimůnek
      • Participants: Eva Eisler

    • 15:05–15:10

      Conference Closing
      • Participants: Petr Šimůnek, Jana Zielinski

Moderators

  • Max Fraser (GBR)

    Editorial Director, Dezeen ■ Former Deputy Director, London Design Festival

  • Benedict Hobson (GBR)

    Co-CEO, Dezeen ■ Design journalist

  • Petr Šimůnek (CZE)

    Moderator ■ Former editor-in-chief, Forbes

  • Cyril Zammit (UAE)

    Founder, Design Days Dubai ■ Design advisor

Speakers

  • Lee Broom (GBR)

    Designer ■ Lighting Artist

  • Patrick Lüth (AUS)

    Architect ■ Managing Director, Snøhetta Studio Innsbruck

  • Daniel Rybakken (NOR)

    Lighting designer ■ Artist

  • Claudio Silvestrin (ITA)

    Architect ■ Designer

  • Stanley Wong (HKG)

    Visual artist ■ Designer

  • Hanna Nova Beatrice (SWE)

    Founder, The New Era Magazine ■ Former Director, Stockholm Furniture Fair and Stockholm Design Week

  • Jakub Berdych Karpelis (CZE)

    Art director, ARTGLASS ■ Founder and chief designer, Qubus

  • Marek Cpin (CZE)

    Scenographer ■ Costume Designer

  • Christophe Delcourt (FRA)

    Founder, Delcourt Collection ■ Designer

  • Eva Eisler (CZE)

    Umělkyně a designérka ■ Bývalá vedoucí Ateliéru K.O.V., UMPRUM

  • Marie Foltýnová (CZE)

    CURATOR ■ HEAD OF PUBLIC SPACE DEPARTMENT, GHMP

  • Laurids Gallée (NLD)

    Founder, Studio Laurids Gallée ■ Designer

  • Kateřina Handlová (CZE)

    Creative director, Rückl ■ Glass and lighting designer

  • Sebastian Herkner (DEU)

    Founder, Studio Sebastian Herkner ■ Product designer

  • Jakub Huráb (CZE)

    Co-owner and managing director, LD Seating

  • Leon Jakimič (CZE)

    Founder and owner, Lasvit ■ Entrepreneur

  • Jakub Janďourek (CZE)

    Co-founder, studio DECHEM ■ Designer

  • Lucie Koldová (CZE)

    Product and lighting designer ■ Former art director, Brokis

  • Patrik Kreysa (CZE)

    Vice Chairman of the Board, Ravak

  • Jaroslav Macháč (CZE)

    HEAD OF REAL ESTATE SALES, PSN

  • Lenka Maierová (CZE)

    RESEARCHER & ARCHITECT, CTU UCEEB

  • Hynek Medřický (CZE)

    Lighting technician ■ Inventor of pro-cognitive lighting

  • Pavla Melková (CZE)

    ARCHITECT & EDUCATOR ■ CO-FOUNDER, MCA ATELIER

  • Václav Mlynář (CZE)

    Creative director, Bomma ■ Designer

  • Francesca Molteni (ITA)

    Founder, MUSE Factory of Projects ■ Producer and director

  • Pascale Mussard (FRA)

    Vice-President, Fondation d’entreprise Hermès ■ Former President, Villa Noailles

  • Federico Palazzari (ITA)

    CEO ■ Owner, Nemo Lighting

  • Alberto Perazza (ITA)

    CEO and partner, Magis

  • Jan Plecháč (CZE)

    Art director, Moser ■ Multidisciplinary designer

  • Tomáš Popadič (CZE)

    ARCHITECT ■ DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, PENTA REAL ESTATE

  • Jan Rabell (CZE)

    Founder, Brokis ■ Owner, Janštejn Glassworks

  • Jan Řežáb (CZE)

    Founder and Owner, JRD ■ Philanthropist

  • David Řezníček (CZE)

    Founder and CEO, Konsepti

  • Catherine Shaw (GBR)

    Author ■ Architecture and design journalist

  • Miroslav Stopka (CZE)

    Co-owner, STOPKA

  • Mária Gaľová Tkáčová (SVK)

    Architect & Urban Designer

  • Michaela Tomišková (CZE)

    Co-founder, studio DECHEM ■ Designer

  • Judith van Vliet (ESP)

    Founder, The Color Authority ■ Expert in Color Strategy and CMF Design

  • Maxim Velčovský (CZE)

    Art director, Lasvit ■ Designér

  • Luboš Veselý (CZE)

    Foundation director, Karel Komárek Family Foundation

  • Martin Wichterle (CZE)

    Co-owner, BOMMA and Rückl ■ Chairman, Association of Czech Industrial Design

  • Jiří Zavadil (CZE)

    Managing director, Vitra Czech Republic, Slovakia & Poland

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.

  • Conference Pass & Festival Pass

    2,400 CZK

    ticket for the DesignBlok Talks program and standard festival admission

  • VIP Conference Pass & VIP Festival Pass

    5,900 CZK

    access to the VIP Networking Lounge with unlimited refreshments, plus all VIP Festival Pass benefits

Partners

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