Area-tip: Kanaalzone

Can you really say you’ve been to Dutch Design Week, without visiting Kanaalzone? We don’t think so! Kanaalzone, home to the former Campina site and old gas factories of the NRE grounds, is where your design-loving heart will beat faster.

Where?

Just outside the city center, you will find the NRE grounds (Gasfabriek and Gashouder). Follow Kanaalduik-Zuid and you’ll end up at Het Koelhuis (Dirk Boutslaan 1).

Need a ticket?

Yes, if you want to see everything. Don’t have a ticket yet? Grab one here.

How to get there?

From the DDW location DOMUSDELA, you can bike to the NRE grounds in just five minutes. Another five minutes of pedaling and you’ll reach Koelhuis. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of spots to make a pit stop. Rather want to move on four wheels? With a DDW ticket, you can use the XPENG Design Rides for free.

Why do you want to go here?

Want to explore Dutch Design Week at a more relaxed pace? Kanaalzone is the perfect starting point. While the buzz builds at Strijp-S (which is also a blast), here you can wander without the enormous crowds. Bonus: immerse yourself in a slice of Eindhoven’s history while witnessing the transformation of these industrial sites up close. And, let’s be honest—on your way back to the city center, you’ll catch some of the best views Eindhoven has to offer.

Highlight locations

• NRE site: At the NRE site, you’ll find 20 DDW projects, plus a handful of top spots for food and drinks, like Fifth and Cyklist.
• Het Koelhuis: Take a little trip towards Eindhoven’s brand-new arts and culture hotspot. Cool? Absolutely!
• Kiki and Joost: After graduating from the Design Academy Eindhoven, Kiki van Eijk didn’t just walk away with a diploma—she also met her partner Joost van Bleiswijk. Together, they’ve become an inseparable part of the design scene.
• NULZES: One of the cool spots at the NRE site is NULZES, a creative hub and breeding ground for designers, architects, and researchers.
• Phood Farm: As a leader in sustainable and eco-friendly production and consumption, the urban farm Phood Farm knows all about hyper-local growing and gastronomy.

Our recommendations

• Into the Body: A must-see immersive experience. Step inside, take a moment to reconnect with your body and mind. With so much to explore at DDW, this is your chance to pause and truly listen to what your body is telling you.
• Designed for Society: This is what we call design with impact! IDE alumni prove that design isn’t just about looks—it can make a real difference in people’s daily lives. From clever tools to sustainable innovations, these designs solve real-world problems.
• FINISHED FORMS: the residence: Is it a tool? Is it art? Who says it can’t be both! Every detail, material, shape, and color in this collection helps create a warm, inviting home environment.
• Touch Of Connection: Lamps that respond to you? Brilliant! Everyday objects get a playful twist here, turning human interaction with design into something magical.
• HUB Bouw aan Morgen, van materiaal tot sociaal: The Dutch landscape is changing fast—thanks to climate, water, population growth, and limited space. At the Melkfabriek, this project shows how livable spaces can thrive when people, nature, and industry work in harmony. See the future through the eyes of those who’ll live it.

More DDW nearby

Need some fresh air? We recommend checking out Salon Veneman on Tongelresestraat. Inside, you’ll find rising local talent on display every month—but you can also just peek through the windows. After all, it’s a walk-by gallery.

Other fun things to do nearby

Basically, all options are back on the table at this point. Yep, you’re back in the heart of Eindhoven, and there’s plenty to check out. Depending on the time, we wouldn’t say no to a beer at Stadsbrouwerij 100 Watt or lunch at Down Town Gourmet Market. Cheers!