Antwerp Design Week (ADW) is the ultimate celebration of design, bringing together local and international brands across five distinct districts in and around the city. Whether you're seeking the energetic buzz of the city center or a more intimate, immersive experience, each district offers something unique for design professionals, enthusiasts, and visitors alike.
District ONE: The Heart of ADW – Your Professional City Trip
If you've been to Antwerp before, you know it’s the perfect city to host such an event. District ONE, the city center of Antwerp, is the heart of ADW and home to many flagship stores, retailers, and temporary showrooms. Here, some brands even exhibit in unexpected places like galleries, hotels, or restaurants, giving visitors a fresh take on design.
District ONE is walkable and bike-friendly, making it easy to combine ADW with a city trip. Every corner of this vibrant area offers a taste of culture, fashion, gastronomy, or coffee, making it a rich experience beyond design. This year, the district will be buzzing even more, with collaborations from design schools and additional events bringing new energy to the city center. Whether you’re exploring cutting-edge designs or enjoying the city’s creative atmosphere, District ONE is the perfect place for your professional city trip during ADW.
Districts TWO, THREE, FOUR, and FIVE: A Slow Design Experience
For a completely different experience, head to Districts TWO, THREE, FOUR, and FIVE, where many Belgian companies have their headquarters just outside Antwerp. These districts offer what we call a "slow design experience," giving visitors a deeper connection with the brands they visit.
Although located about 20 minutes from the center, accessible by car or personal shuttle, the journey is well worth it. Visitors are warmly welcomed with catering (snacks, drinks, music, etc.), providing a relaxed and intimate setting. Here, you'll explore brands in their own headquarters, which allows for a behind-the-scenes look at workspaces, offices, and full showrooms. This unique experience offers much more than a typical exhibition, letting you dive deeper into the creative process behind the design.
What's especially exciting about these districts is the synergy between brands. Many guest brands, which don't have their own location in Antwerp, collaborate with these headquarters, creating a cross-pollination of ideas and making these districts even more attractive for visitors.
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