Monday 19 October
How can we design neighbourhoods, buildings, mobility and materials that contribute to a liveable environment?
This Mission Day explores the places where we live and work, how we move around and the materials we use to shape our surroundings. Talks, in-depth sessions and meet-ups examine topics such as sustainable construction, broad prosperity, mobility and the development of future-proof cities and regions from different perspectives.
For who?
This day is relevant to designers and professionals working in fields including architecture, construction, urban and regional development, mobility and material development. Policymakers, municipalities, housing associations, knowledge institutions and organisations working on infrastructure or public space will also find like-minded people, new insights and potential collaborators.
Below you will find the full programme for the Living environment Mission Day on Monday 19 October. Explore all events, times and locations and create your own itinerary.
09:30 | Broad prosperity in motion
- 09:00 | Doors open
- 09:30–12:30 | Programme
- 12:30 | Networking lunch
- Location: The Tube, Natlab
- Organised by: Humankind and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
An in-depth session on broad prosperity and how design can contribute to a living environment that brings together societal, economic and ecological interests.
10:00 | 4TU.Design United Dialogues
- 09:30 | Doors open
- 10:00–12:30 | Programme
- 12:30 | Networking lunch
- Location: Second Moon & Oscar, Natlab
- Organised by: 4TU.Design United
A dialogue about the role of design within the Living environment mission. Designers, researchers and other professionals share perspectives and explore new directions together.
10:15 | Sustainable construction internationalisation theme day
- 09:30 | Doors open
- 10:30–12:30 | Programme
- 12:30 | Networking lunch
- Location: Auditorium, Natlab
- Organised by: Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Brainport
A thematic session on the international development of sustainable construction. The programme will be opened at 10:30 by Dutch Design Foundation (DDF).
12:30 uur | Networking lunch
- 12:30–13:30
- Location: Natlab restaurant
Six exhibitions from the prgramme of DD26 who bring this Mission Day
For a thriving, healthy planet, design must strengthen the Earth’s natural resilience or, at the very least, not stand in its way.
What if we not only took less from nature, but also started designing with it? During Dutch Design Week (DDW), Emma van der Leest shows how bacteria, fungi and algae can be used to create materials and products for everyday life in The Biodesign Warehouse. A little further on in Klokgebouw, Christien Meindertsma reveals the origins of raw materials in Local Linoleum and explores new applications for materials including wool and flax. Both projects can be found in Klokgebouw (B4).
At BioArt Laboratories (A1), designing with nature takes two very different forms. Sven van Leeuwen bases his 3D-printed reef modules for the Wadden Sea on the structure created by the honeycomb worm. His project Alveo explores how an artificial reef can provide a habitat for marine life. In The Art of Sustainable Fashion: Ecoprint, LEAF&LOOM uses plants and kitchen waste to add colour and patterns to textiles without synthetic dyes.
The way we make clothing and accessories is also being re-examined. In Fashion Tech 2026, Marina Toeters and the Farmer Friends bring together smart textiles, wearable technology and new production methods at Fashion Tech Farm (C2). With Welded Loop Biobased, Studio Joris de Groot and Knit in Motion explore how bio-based PLA can be knitted, welded and 3D-printed to create products including shoes and bags. Their material experiments can be seen at Schellens Fabriek / Something.bigger (E37).
