The Barbican in London has welcomed more than 1,000 delegates for the World Design Congress 2025 which opened 9 September. The congress will explore how design can accelerate action on the climate and nature crisis.
Hosted by the UK’s Design Council on behalf of the World Design Organisation, the Congress returns to London for the first time in over 50 years. Across keynotes, conversations and hands-on ‘hive’ workshops, the programme examines the Design Council’s Design for Planet mission, spanning circularity, net zero and the regeneration of places, while fostering collaboration between designers, business leaders, policymakers, researchers and educators.
Highlights include headline speakers such as Lord Norman Foster, alongside contributors including Thomas Heatherwick, Mariana Mazzucato, Charlot Magayi and Bas van Abel. The Congress will also feature a special presentation of the WDO World Design Medal 2025 honouring Dieter Rams.
“Welcoming the World Design Congress to the Barbican is a proud moment for our team and for London,” said Charlie Smith, deputy head of sales at the Barbican. “Our incredible architecture, world-class spaces and commitment to sustainable events make this the ideal home for a Congress dedicated to ‘Design for Planet’. Together with the Design Council, we’re set to host two days that spark action as well as inspiration.”
Built as part of London’s Barbican development and officially opened in March 1982 by HM Queen Elizabeth, unlike many other venues, Barbican was specifically built with the dual purpose of holding conferences and arts events. It is capable of holding meetings from 10-2,000 delegates in its fully equipped concert hall, theatres, conference suites and boardrooms.
Photo: Max Colson/Barbican
