After showcasing cool designs to reduce its waste, increase public space and improve quality of life, Bangkok Design Week returns this year to harden the target.
What is presented as a high-minded collision of design think and meat space, design week is in practical terms a great opportunity to wander through charming riverside lanes and make surprising discoveries of cool things. This year that’s expanded to neighborhoods throughout the city.
The designers, artists and architects concerned with the city’s future seem attuned to the existential threats it faces, from lung-blackening smog to rising seas threatening to drown it.
Highlights of Resilience: New Potential for Living include a green space prototype “Air Quality Pavillion,” where visitors can escape the critical smog threat and get by with a little help from our leafy friends. Bangkok Sealandia looks at how Bangkok must be redesigned to survive Waterworld 2050, after the ice caps melt.
And of course there will be displays of lit design, talks, workshops along with the must-have flea markets, music, movies and art performances.
Highlights aside, it’s a good excuse to put on a thick, PM2.5 impervious face mask and go on a walking tour to see new things.
While the event last year took place in and around the riverside Charoen Krung area, Bangkok Design Week 2020 this year takes place dozens of venues throughout the city. While a lot is concentrated down Charoen Krung Road from the Grand Postal Building and into Talad Noi, there’s stuff to see around Ekkamai, the Si Phraya Pier, Pradiphat Road, Commons Thonglor and many more.
Bangkok Design Week 2019 runs Feb. 1 to Feb. 9 at many venues. More information is available on the official website.
FIND IT:
Bangkok Design Week
Feb. 1 – Feb. 9
Several venues
BTS: Saphan Taksin
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