Dutch design will be the topic of discussion at an interactive event being organised during the ongoing Melbourne Design Week 2017.

Going Dutch: Can Dutch design values improve our living?

Featuring Melbourne-based Dutch designers Koos De Keijzer, Principal of DKO Architecture, Sarah Naarden, Founding director at Design Think Lab, and Simon van Wijnen, Senior urban designer at City of Melbourne as panellists, the interactive discussion will focus on how Dutch design values can be integrated to resolve major issues facing Melbourne.

Dutch designers have been dealing with issues ranging from rising sea levels to densifying urban environments for centuries. These designers have adopted a pragmatic and design-led approach to complex urban issues, one that values egalitarianism, collective decision-making and a spirit of just getting things done.

The Dutch experience holds lessons for the Australian design industry and will be discussed by the panellists at the interactive event. According to Andy Fergus from Melbourne School of Design, Melbourne’s unprecedented growth rate is creating challenges for its residents as they are forced to adapt to climate change, while maintaining their prized quality of life. Design industry leaders of Dutch descent Koos De Keijzer, Sarah Naarden, and Simon van Wijnen will use the event platform to share lessons on addressing critical challenges in urban environments.

‘Going Dutch’ will be held at the Queen Victoria Market on Monday 20 March, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.

About Melbourne Design Week

Melbourne Design Week is an annual design program linking creativity with business and community. Part of a Victorian Government strategy to strengthen, support and promote the state’s design industry, the program explores the value of good design over a ten-day, citywide celebration offering talks by leading designers, tours, workshops and industry events at NGV and partner venues throughout Melbourne.

The theme for Melbourne Design Week 2017 is Design Values. It asks: what does design value and how do we value design?