Mini guide: A sustainable DDW

Okay, okay, as an avid visitor, you know better than anyone else that sustainability (in the broadest sense of the word) plays an important role during Dutch Design Week. Is this your first DDW? Then you're going to experience just that! From social impact to ecologically responsible fashion, all designs and expos have a link to sustainability. And let's not forget: you, too, can make your visit to DDW 2024 a little more sustainable. We share all the tips & tricks below. 

Transportation

Our practical guide tips everything about transportation to and within the city. You probably guessed it: by bike or on foot is simply the most sustainable option. You can rent a bike at Ketelhuisplein or Fuutlaan. Traveling by train? Continue your journey with an OV-bike from the Central Station or Station Strijp-S. Prefer to go by car? With a DDW wristband, you can get a free ride in one of the Design Rides, which, not coincidentally, are fully electric. Enjoy the ride! 

Shopping

Beware: all those beautiful designs can make you greedy (we've warned you). Small-scale, vintage, locally produced, or made from leftover materials, at the following shops and ateliers, you’ll find everything your green heart desires: 

• TWEEK Eek: Twin sisters Roos and Geertje Eek make machine-inspired jewelry. See their creations (of which many fashion magazines are fans) with your own eyes in their new showroom or the Piet Hein Eek shop. 

• Sectie-C: Lovers of vintage and handmade interior gems should not miss the ateliers at Sectie-C.  

• YATVA: Let's keep it short and sweet; YATVA is the vintage Valhalla of Eindhoven. Visit them on Willemstraat! 

Food and drinks

Design shopping on an empty stomach is an absolute no-go (we know this from experience). Fortunately, the choice is vast when it comes to fine eateries, also with sustainability in mind. Wether you opt for a break at one of the designhotspots or head straight to one of the vegan restaurants, here are our tips:

• Brasserie NEXT: Want to know what the future tastes like? Brasserie NEXT at Evoluon does things differently, from jellyfish sandwiches to space cake.

• Vaderland at Atelier NL: Taste the rich harvest of this beautiful season with hyper-local products at Kazerne.

• Bar Bistro Calypso: For french fries and Grandma Bob's bitterballen, among other things, all plant-based! 

• Rabauw: Not only is the beer brewed on location, but the people here are also super social. 

• Jungle Café: Plant-based, healthy, and bio. What else do we need to say?

• Super MARKT: Sharing is caring, right? At super MARKT Restobar, you'll enjoy small but tasty dishes to share.

Exhibitions

The theme of Dutch Design Week 2024 is "Real Unreal," an invitation to reflect on what is real ... and what isn't. Can we still distinguish reality from the unreal? Is it even a problem, or can it offer solutions? These exhibitions capture that energy perfectly:

• Futuristic Elegance: Botanical Designs for Robots: Who would have thought that even robots would want to look sustainable and stylish?

• Sex in the City: Real or not? In 50 years, you might never need to use a public toilet again and could carry your own sleeping spot with you. Believe it or not, this could be the future.

• HOW TO BUILD IN 2030: As we transform urban spaces, how do we truly build for the future, and how prepared are we for it?

Sustainable visit for those who don’t live in Eindhoven

There are many ways to make your visit to Dutch Design Week a little greener. But perhaps our biggest tip: stick around while you’re here! This way, you not only make your DDW trip more profitable (because more days = more time to indulge in design), but you can also get to know Eindhoven a little better. Like to plan your trip with us? We'd love to share our ten tips for a sustainable city trip here. We also know a thing or two on spending the night in Eindhoven. Looking for a design hotel, anyone?