Dezeen promotion: Beijing Design Week takes place next week from 26 September to 3 October.

Top: 'LetThemSitCake!' Austrian-based designer Dejana Kabiljo will present exhibition visitors with inviting and eye-popping sofas made from bags containing 4,500 kg of flour and covered in oozing and spongy chocolate icing, to enjoy a sweet seat that will surely make life a bit more fun. Part of DesignHop in 751D-Park.

Above: 'NOW and WHEN: Australian Urbanism' was the Australian exhibition for the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale and a major project of the Australian Institute of Architects, focusing on the urban and environmental issues that the country has to face side by side with its increasing overpopulation. Part of DesignHop in 751D-Park.

Over 2000 design pieces will be exhibited in locations across the city that include the industrial district of 751, Sanlitun and the ‘old Beijing’ alleyways near Tiananmen Square.

Above: The Department of Hybrid Space at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) will bring 3-D printing to the masses via a public DYA workshop in 751D-Park. “Hybrid Design” will be composed of lectures and screenings on self-replicating 3-D printers alongside the workshop “Autonomy-Abstraction”, a strongly interactive installation. Part of DesignHop in 751D-Park.

Designers Tom Dixon, Thomas Heatherwick, Ab Rogers, Neville Brody and more will present their work.

Above: 2011 NOTCH Art Festival is a cross-cultural experiment featuring cutting-edge design, architecture, media art and music. Nordic and Chinese designers will team up in the historic area of Dashilar to redefine the concept of public spaces and design. Part of DesignHop in Dashilar.

Here are some highlights, with captions provided by the festival organisers.

Above: Staged in conjunction with World Design Capital Helsinki 2012, Wonderwater Café is a pop-up event taking place in Tian Hai restaurant where visitors can explore the relation between food and water. Part of DesignHop in Dashilar.

Here's a little more text from the organisers:

Beijing Design Week Celebrates World Design and Chinese Creativity

Following the effort of its first edition in 2009, Beijing Design Week is set to position Beijing as one of the world’s capitals of design. With more than 2000 works of design, over 30 countries involved, more than 130 projects and activities and 100 design landmarks open to the public, the 8-day event, which include The First Beijing International Design Triennial, will be the largest and most significant yet for China’s capital promotion of design.

In a recent press conference held by the Organizing Committee of the event, Beijing Design Week was described as an initiative that will display ‘Beijing Style, Chinese Characteristics and World Taste’. The festival promises indeed to be not only a stage for Chinese talents but also a platform and meeting point for the international design community.

Aimed to shift international attention from the words ‘Made in China’ to ‘Designed in China’, the Beijing Design Week programme builds upon this objective, asserting the role of design as a crucial one for China’s growth and progress.

Beijing Design Week has commissioned landmark design installations by renowned international and local architects and designers across the city; from the industrial district of 751 to the ultra-modern Sanlitun area and the ‘old Beijing’ alleyways near Tiananmen Square. At the same time, international brands and local designers, students and independent retailers have been called to bring their input to the festival, in a citywide celebration of all things design.