Set for September 19-29, 2024, Design Vancouver Festival anticipates over 25,000 attendees across 66 events spanning 11 days, including open studios, architecture tours, curated talks, and industry gatherings. It provides a platform for Vancouverites to explore, discuss, and engage with design under the theme of Connection.
Design Vancouver Festival will showcase over 28 participating studios and designers, from architects and interior designers to furniture makers, graphic designers, and multidisciplinary artists. Attendees can immerse themselves in walk-throughs of iconic buildings, sit in on discussions about creativity, explore the Lemonade Stand competition results, participate in hands-on workshops and take a candid look around working studios. Visitors will gain insights into design processes, from chairs to skyscrapers, and hear from professionals on topics like “home,” alternative housing models, and sustainable practices. The festival also includes building tours, panel discussions, and a book launch, all centred on the theme of design.
Every effort has been made to keep the festival affordable and accessible. Most events are either free, pay-what-you-can, or have ticket prices that help cover production, staffing, and venue rental costs.
2024 Festival Highlights:
● PechaKucha Night Vancouver (September 19): An evening of rapid-fire presentations
where creatives share their ideas, projects, and inspirations in the signature 20×20
format. Expect thought-provoking narratives and a celebration of creativity in its purest
form.
● AFBC Lemonade Stand Unveiling (September 20): Celebrate the winning design of
the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia’s first competition at an exclusive
outdoor event in Vancouver’s Armory District. Enjoy refreshments, including
lemonade and lemon drop martinis by Duchess Cocktails, snacks prepared by a chef in
a Fisher & Paykel mobile kitchen, and DJ’ed music.
● Open Studios (September 21 & 22): Designers will open their doors to the
public, offering a rare glimpse into their spaces and processes. This is a chance to
engage directly with the minds behind some of the city’s most compelling designs.
● Building Tours (September 21 & 22): Experience the city’s most iconic buildings and
urban spaces through the eyes of the interdisciplinary teams that brought them to life.
Discover the stories, challenges, and triumphs behind these structures.
● Architecture of Dessert with Chef Kenta Takahashi (September 23): Dive into the
intersection of culinary art and design with a workshop led by award-winning pastry
chef Kenta Takahashi, exploring the design principles behind his renowned desserts.
● DV Forum – Home “家” (September 25): A new series exploring the concept of “Home”
with multiple creatives, highlighting how this fundamental idea influences their work.
●Pop-Up Market (September 25): The bulthaup marketplace celebrates design and
craftsmanship, featuring local artisans and curated products.
● DV Forum – Future of Sustainability (September 27): A panel discussion on
sustainable design practices, focusing on timber design and regenerative methods.
● Nooroongji Social Club: Design Vancouver Edition (September 28): An after-hours
social event at Nooroongji Books, celebrating design with special guests from Stratus
Journal.
Follow @designvanfest on Instagram for updates and announcements. For more information, visit designvancouver.org.