Barbican will be the venue for the World Design Congress 2025, which returns to London for the first time in 50 years.
Hosted by the UK Design Council, this prestigious event will create a big moment for British design on the global stage. The World Design Congress is set to take place on 9/10 September 2025, in partnership with London Design Festival, alongside a programme of regional activations that will highlight the UK’s position as a key player in the international design community.
Recognised worldwide for its iconic brutalist architecture, the Barbican was chosen due to its renowned cultural spaces and current focus on improving sustainability. The event’s theme for 2025 is ‘Design for Planet’, which calls for designers to lead in putting planetary needs at the forefront of design. Over 71% of designers think that demand for environmental design will grow in the next three years, but only 43% feel moderately or fully equipped to meet this demand (Green Design Skills Gap Report). The Design Council is also working with the Centre on the Barbican Renewal Programme, a project to future-proof its spaces to meet audience expectations for years to come.
Minnie Moll, CEO of the Design Council said: “Both London and the Barbican represent the height of creativity, inspiration and design, which is why they are the perfect choice for the 2025 Congress, particularly with its focus on sustainability. The Barbican has demonstrated time and again that it is a world leader in event sustainability, and we look forward to developing the themes of the event around its incredible offering.”
