Highlights from the inaugural edition of the Design Biennale Rotterdam, featuring experimental and collectible design from local and international designers. Across the city, participants have responded to the overarching theme: “What’s Real is Unfamiliar”.  

Highlights from the inaugural edition of the Design Biennale Rotterdam, featuring experimental and collectible design from local and international designers. Across the city, participants have responded to the overarching theme: &ldquo;What&rsquo;s Real is Unfamiliar&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Everything you need to know about the world of design, from furniture to fashion and craft to architecture. Expect fresh stories, new finds and designers and all the latest news from the world’s most exciting studios.

Monocle on Design

Design Biennale Rotterdam

London-based interior designer Tola Ojuolape discusses the sense of belonging that she strives to achieve with each new project. Then: Venezuela’s Rodolfo Agrella on the importance of “energy”. Plus: café interiors from the new issue of Monocle. 

London-based interior designer Tola Ojuolape discusses the sense of belonging that she strives to achieve with each new project. Then: Venezuela&rsquo;s Rodolfo Agrella on the importance of &ldquo;energy&rdquo;. Plus: caf&eacute; interiors from the new issue of Monocle.&nbsp;

Feeling over form and function: the design principles of Tola Ojuolape and Rodolfo Agrella

Forward-thinking British architect Jayden Ali joins to detail his new galleries at V&A East in London. Then: unpicking Icelandic design stereotypes at DesignMarch 2026. Plus: highlights at this year’s NYCxDesign. 

Forward-thinking British architect Jayden Ali joins to detail his new galleries at V&amp;A East in London. Then: unpicking Icelandic design stereotypes at DesignMarch 2026. Plus: highlights at this year&rsquo;s NYCxDesign.&nbsp;

Redesigning London’s shared cultural spaces with Jayden Ali. Plus: Reykjavík’s DesignMarch 2026

How can flexibility improve quality of life? We answer this with Fisher & Paykel and the brand’s head of industrial design, Mark Haydon. Plus: Kim Colin, co-founder of Industrial Facility, on working with technology.

How can flexibility improve quality of life? We answer this with Fisher &amp; Paykel and the brand&rsquo;s head of industrial design, Mark Haydon. Plus: Kim Colin, co-founder of Industrial Facility, on working with technology.

Design Biennale Rotterdam

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