The first locations and formats for Design Season Cologne are taking shape. From the 26 to 31 October 2026, Cologne will become a citywide stage for contemporary design – and some of the first participants already show the range of what to expect.
LAUFEN will open its new showroom in Cologne’s Rheinauhafen, adding a new destination for design, architecture and bathroom culture to the festival map. The international Swiss brand is known for bringing together product design, material innovation and architectural thinking, with experiential galleries forming an important part of its global presence.
At the machwerkhaus köln in Kalk, the machwerkschau opens up a former industrial site where contemporary design, craftsmanship and urban production meet. Across workshops, studios and exhibition spaces, established makers and new voices present materials, prototypes, products and processes.
Meanwhile, Design Direktive creates a circular hotspot, bringing together design, reuse and new approaches to working with existing materials and resources. Partners already include Andreu World, Mogu, Knepper and Occhio.
Together, these first locations already give a glimpse of the idea behind Design Season Cologne: different places, different perspectives, one citywide design experience.
And this is only the beginning. More designers, brands, studios, locations and formats will be announced in the coming weeks.
