The first Design Biennale Rotterdam will take place across the Dutch city from 20 February to 2 March 2025 to address the "clear gap" in local events dedicated solely to design.

Featuring exhibitions, installations, talks and workshops with an emphasis on experimental and speculative design, the 10-day Design Biennale Rotterdam will be themed What's Real Is Unfamiliar.

Via an open call, designers and curators are invited to submit multidisciplinary projects that "challenge conventional thinking and explore new possibilities", the organisers said.

"Rotterdam is a city of no nonsense," said the event's co-founders Liv Vaisberg and Sarah Schulten.

"In this city, we often say, 'don’t talk, but act,' and this mentality perfectly reflects the innovative spirit of today's designers," they continued.

"Rotterdam is known for its direct approach, and we believe this biennale will not only highlight the best in design but also ignite important conversations on how design can actively contribute to shaping a better future."

According to the co-founders, the biennale will focus on pressing global issues ranging from diversity and social justice to sustainability and provide numerous forums for discussion.

Design Biennale Rotterdam will be hosted by five international designers with wide-ranging practices – Marga Weimans, Sabine Marcelis, Laurids Gallé, Anna Aagaard Jensen and Chris Kabel.

The city-wide event will take place at various venues across the city centre, the Merwe-Vierhaven port site (M4H) and Rotterdam's Zuid neighbourhood.

A dedicated symposium of talks will take place at the city's Nieuwe Instituut museum, while there will also be an educational programme for local schools and universities and a kids' programme that will coincide with the local school holidays.

"While Rotterdam hosts an architectural biennale and month, as well as Rotterdam art week and IFFR for films, there is a clear gap in design," explained Vaisberg and Schulten.

"The biennale aims to position the city on the global stage as a hub of creative renewal, innovation and experimentation. It will push forward the local design scene while creating bridges with the international community."

The open call will close on 31 October 2024, with participants announced in mid-November.

Recently in Rotterdam, Chinese studio MAD installed a steel spiral staircase atop the city's Fenix Museum. Local architect Ulli Heckmann also renovated a compact apartment for himself and his partner designer Nienke Bongers.

The photography is courtesy of Design Biennale Rotterdam.

Design Biennale Rotterdam takes place from 20 February to 2 March 2025 at various locations across Rotterdam, the Netherlands. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.