Set for September 19-29, 2024, Design Vancouver festival includes 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 centered 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.
Open Format Studio Presents
Design Vancouver 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. Guests will enjoy refreshments, including lemonade and lemon drop martinis by Duchess Cocktails, snacks prepared by a chef in a Fisher & Paykel mobile kitchen, and music by a DJ. With support from Humble Object, Kerrisdale Lumber, and Pacific Art Stone, this ticketed event will accommodate 100 guests. Location: Armory District
- Open Studios (September 21 & 22): Gain unprecedented access to the inner workings of Vancouver’s most innovative design studios. 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. [See the map here for all locations].
- 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. [Location: The Garden Strathcona, Vancouver].
- DV Forum – Home “?” (September 25): A new series exploring the concept of “Home” with multiple creatives, highlighting how this fundamental idea influences their work. [Location: Chinatown Storytelling Centre, Vancouver].
- Pop-Up Market (September 25): The bulthaup marketplace that celebrates design and craftsmanship, featuring local artisans and curated products. [Location: bulthaup 120 – 411 Railway Street, Vancouver].
- DV Forum – Future of Sustainability (September 27): A panel discussion on sustainable design practices, focusing on timber design and regenerative methods. [Location: Space Centre & Museum of Vancouver].
- Nooroongji Social Club: Design Vancouver Edition (September 28): An after-hours social event at Nooroongji Books, celebrating design with special guests from Stratus Journal. [Location: 1666 Johnston St, Granville Island, Vancouver].
West Coast Modern League Presents
On the Boards: Andrea McLean & Imu Chan
The West Coast Modern League is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Design Vancouver Festival. On September 23rd, the West Coast Modern League, with Inform Interiors, presents the next instalment of the League’s popular On the Boards speaker series, during the Design Vancouver Festival. Bridging the disciplines of architecture, interior design, and art in the public realm, we will be joined by Andrea McLean and Imu Chan, each presenting projects recently completed or currently underway. On the Boards is an ongoing speaker series that aims to immerse us in the creative works of our local design talent, with those who are carrying forward the fertile culture of creativity and experimentation on Canada’s west coast.
