Locals and tourists passing by Valencia’s town square might be surprised to see a pavilion wrapped in a ceramic like “skin” pop up out of nowhere. Topped with an undulating wooden rood, this installation is an ode to Valencia’s designation as a World Design Capital in 2022. Well known as a land of creativity, the Valencian design community, encompassing everything from from painters to interior designers to sculptors, have created some truly beautiful works of art over the past few centuries. The pavilion, called Àgora València, serves as a centralized location for more than 200 activities taking place during the city’s tenure as the World Design Capital 2022.
All of this comes at the perfect time for the city to host Habitat Valencia – an exhibition that showcases the best of Spanish design, slated to be held between September 20th and 23rd, 2022. The 56th edition of the most important event of the Spanish furnishing and lighting industry – the Feria Hábitat Valencia is Spain’s leading fair for made-in-Spain interiors will host around 600 exhibitors – 20% of which will be foreign companies – and draw some 33,000 visitors coming from more than 70 countries to Spain’s third-largest city.
For those of you planning on visiting, here are a couple of cool events and sights you shouldn’t miss.
Get the Keys to succeeding in Middle East Markets
For our Middle East-based readers, this talk will be interesting. Speakers are familiar folks from Swiss Bureau Interior Design, Roya Internacional, Sky Design Me and JW Turner Contracting. Experts and experienced professionals will share with Spanish companies the keys to penetrating and becoming established in one of the world’s most fascinating and competitive markets.
Learn about Andreu World’s New Book
Our friends Andreu World will host a round table discussion of their new book: ‘Sitting well at work. Good design is good business. They’ll further touch upon their focus on wellness at work, the WELL Office, and how well-being and sustainability become increasingly strategic.
Go on a Design Walk
Extremely well received in 2021, these are routes around the city that visitors can take to view design studios in the Comunitat Valenciana aim. These beautiful walks aim to give visitors a more personal idea of what design is like in the region, and well as tht opportunity to immerse themselves in the design scene.
Sit in a Presentation from Key Design Influences
Talks by Patricia Urquiola, works of Jaime Hayon on display, a Design and Health Forum with talks from Marcos, Mara Dierssen, Ana Lluch, Benedetta Tagliabue, and María Cortell are just some of the interesting items to look forward to.
See the best of Spanish Design
Some of the best brands in the world have their origins in Spain. Brands such as Andreu World, Gandia Blasco, Treku, Sancal, Vondom, Point and Sky Line will exhibiting, whilst another of Hábitat’s main content areas such as upholstery has already seen some top brands including Fama, Pedro Ortiz, Acomodel, Divani, Chitra o Tajoma sign up to exhibit as well.
