Fire revitalises and gives meaning to a symbol of destruction and construction, the mythology of the Phoenix transformed into a cycle of perennial resurrection, with the unique anual festival of Las Fallas in Valencia. A metaphor for life that transcends social conventions and reaches restorative and constructive areas such as design.
The cultural rebirth of design in the city is constant, a bright outlook that is not overshadowed even by zigzagging economic vicissitudes. Design can be felt on every corner of reborn areas such as El Cabanyal or El Carmen, where it gives way to a creative force that is not generational, but part of the life cycle of a booming city.
Valencia is a place of intersections and connections. A crossroads of cultures, creative forms, generations and innovative approaches, leading to transitions towards new paths.
In 24 hours, we visit spaces that are redesigning the city with new commitments through design.
El Cabanyal, Valencia, Spain – Photo © Cornelia Pithart
Naked Habitat: the fair that reveals the latest trends in Valencian and international design
At the beginning of October, Spain’s design fair Hábitat opens its doors. Since the success of Valencia World Design Capital 22, efforts have been made to promote the trade fair and, on the other hand, Valencia Design Fest has been consolidated, a necessary mobilisation of design in the city that is going from strength to strength.
This year at Habitat, the anniversaries of brands such as Viccarbe, 25 years, and Andreu World, 70 years, stand out. And Gandía Blasco‘s 85th anniversary in 2026 is already being prepared.
Feria Hábitat València 2025 – © Feria Hábitat València
But the heart of the event is NUDE, which is celebrating almost its quarter-century, founded and directed by María Fontes, key in promoting designers and new national talent.
In the ‘Fuori’ Habitat, hundreds of activities in the VDF program. The Valencia Museum of Fine Arts is exhibiting pieces by LZF Lamps, Greenarea and Gandía Blasco Group. The installation of ELIURPI at Viruta Lab Gallery. Open Studios…
NUDE 2024 – © Feria Hábitat València
Art is renewed
The IVAM, the Valencian Institute of Modern Art, has a new director, Blanca de la Torre. She is expected to take a position that ranges from localist sentiment to the discovery of new global perspectives. With the current slogans of contemporary museum philosophy, programmes cannot ignore the integration of certain recurring concepts: Decolonisation + Naturation + Ecofeminism.
IVAM, Valencia, Spain – Photo © SerFF79
In just two years since its opening, the Hortensia Herrero Art Centre and Foundation, has already become one of the city’s key Spaces. Its director, Alejandra Silvestre, proposes a social approach to art and creation. In addition to the collection featuring mainstream names in world art, the careful restoration of the Valeriola Palace by Erre Arquitectura, represents a fundamental principle of evolution of the institution over time.
Hortensia Herrero Art Center, Valencia, Spain – Photo © Sonia Bonet
Unstoppable talents
Carmen Baselga, Sandra Figuerola and Marisa Gallén are the triumvirate of design par excellence in Valencia, combining their creative energy with that of Inma Bermúdez, Eli Gutiérrez or Carmina Ibáñez. Intertwined forces from all areas of design, driving intergenerational design.
Valencia is a true paradise for design lovers, but some experiences are simply unmissable. Among the most captivating, innovative, and timeless offerings, we highly recommend visiting Casa Capicùa, Vuka Café, and CLÍNICA. It will be worth it.
Casa Capicúa, design by Carmen Baselga
Casa Capicua. Interior design by Carmen Baselga. A space fully integrated with the neighbourhood, the Benito sisters do not neglect the quality of their breakfast and brunch menu throughout the day, offering empathetic and captivating cuisine.
Vuka Café. Design by Teresa Carrau Arquitectura. A place for coffee that is always special and unique. In the heart of the city, in El Carmen, where the typography already shows the conception of a simple and sophisticated design, without forgetting the playful sense.
CLÍNICA (September). Design by Clap Estudio. A space on a human scale, with all the emotional and functional creativity of Ángela Montagut and Jordi Iranzo, winners of the 2023 National Design Award.
CLÍNICA (September), design Clap Estudio – Photo © Daniel Rueda
Sustainable walk
Kathryn Gustafson, the renowned architect and landscape designer, is responsible for another of Valencia’s recent landmarks, Valencia Central Park. ‘A vibrant promenade designed as a 100% sustainable and sensitive garden, a refreshment for the soul, in a city of the future, such as Valencia,’ commented Kathryn Gustafson at CTAValencia.
Parque Central, Valencia, Spain – Photo © David Marin Foto
