Running from February 6th to mid-March, the Madrid Design Festival 2025 will once again showcase the transformative power of design as a tool to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. Orchestrated by La Fábrica under the leadership of Álvaro Matías, the festival promises a bold and diverse program featuring over 200 activities.
Giovani e stupidi, design Maximilian Marchesani
Under the theme “Redesign the World,” MDF25 aims to be an international meeting point for creatives, professionals, and enthusiasts, with a particular focus on sustainable practices in urban settings. This year, the festival will be enriched by collaborations with Castilla-La Mancha and Berlin as special invited regions, emphasizing its global and inclusive approach.
The Climate Chairs, design Gonzalez Haase AAS
Castilla-La Mancha’s pottery
Among the standout exhibitions is “La Línea Sueña” (The Dreaming Line), a collective show at the Teatro Fernán Gómez. Curated by Javier Riera, this exhibition delves into light as a fundamental element, exploring its links with design, architecture, and landscape.
AQUA FOSSIL Gravity, design Amarist Studio
Inspired by Paul Klee‘s concept of drawing as a connection between the inner world and the profound nature of reality, the exhibition highlights light as a transformative experience. Internationally acclaimed artists like Michael Anastassiades, Eliurpi, Davide Groppi, Lucas Muñoz, and Draga & Aurel will contribute immersive installations, reflecting on the artistic and cultural significance of light.
The “Tejiendo Redes” initiative will continue its path from 2024, this time focusing on wool in Spain, showcasing the role of design in specific social issues. Meanwhile, Fiesta Design will offer a full sensory experience with exhibitions, encounters, and workshops open to the public at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza. Projects like “Oro Blanco,” sponsored by Amazon, will highlight the economic and creative vitality of design through the use of wool.
ITA NORI Seaweed installation, design Masayuki Hayashi (WE+)
From February 19th to 22nd, the festival will feature Madrid Design PRO, a series dedicated to professionals. These days will present a rich program including conferences, round tables, and conversations, thanks to the sponsorship of the Consejería de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo de la Comunidad de Madrid.
Notable figures expected include designer Sir Paul Smith in conversation with critic Deyan Sudjic, British designer Bethan Laura Wood, and the contemporary design studio WE+, founded by Toshiya Hayashi and Hokuto Ando, exploring design as a discipline intersecting with social and natural values.
The program will also include Patrizia Moroso, the renowned creative director; Italian architect Mario Cucinella with his “Sparking Change” project at Roca Madrid Gallery; and other eminent figures like Kavita Parmar, Inma Bermúdez, and Cecilia Mozse Tham. These professional days will offer a dynamic platform for discussing emerging trends and the future of design through a lens of diversity and innovation.
