A change of setting: Antwerp Design Week 

Returning to Antwerp, this time together 

For five days, Antwerp Design Week brings together more than 70 design brands across fifty showrooms throughout the city. More than an fair, it offers a unique opportunity to discover brands, explore their spaces and meet the people behind them. 

Rather than going on our own, we invited a small group of Luxembourg-based architects to step away from their projects for two days and experience the fair together. 

Instead of simply moving from one showroom to another, we put together a programme of guided visits, workshops and meaningful encounters. 

Two days at the pace of design 

Our journey began at Vitra and Artek, where the teams introduced us to their latest collections and shared their perspective on current developments.

At &Tradition, Apolline Cadet welcomed us into the brand's townhouse showroom, where each room offers a different way of experiencing the collection.

We also took part in a colour masterclass led by Élodie Bingo. Through a series of hands-on exercises, everyone was invited to compose, combine and interpret colour palettes. It quickly became clear just how complex the colour concept is.

The following morning, the setting changed to a guided tour of Het Eilandje. Once a busy docklands district, the area became a remarkable example of urban regeneration. Former port buildings now coexist with contemporary residential projects and public spaces while preserving the neighbourhood's industrial identity. 

The journey continued at HAY, where designer Julien Renault shared the stories behind several of his creations. More than a product presentation, it was an opportunity to understand the design process itself: the first ideas, the prototypes, the countless adjustments and all the decisions that eventually lead to a final product. 

The conversations in-between 

Looking back, it wasn't only the places we visited that made these two days memorable. It was the conversations they sparked. On the way, around the meal, between this showrooms, or while walking through the city, discussions continued long after.  Sometimes, all it takes is stepping away from the daily rush to make room for moments that might otherwise never happen. 

A heartfelt thank you to our partners for making this experience possible, and to the architects who joined us with curiosity, generosity and enthusiasm.

We look forward to seeing you next year, or, before then, at our showroom for another HUB7 event.