DDW-tip: Ketelhuisplein

Ah, Ketelhuisplein, the vibrant heart of Strijp-S. It’s the place where you can find yourself dancing at a party or festival nearly every week (if you want to, that is). Once again, it plays a big role during Dutch Design Week. It’s definitely worth visiting, not just for the impressive installations on display, but even more so for the lively atmosphere this spot brings to the design festival!

Where?

Ketelhuisplein at Strijp-S

Need a ticket?

No

How to get there?

Ketelhuisplein is practically next to Strijp-S station. It’s hard to miss. From Eindhoven Central, you can reach it in one stop at Strijp-S station. You can also take bus lines 401, 402, or 403. You can board at the Central Station or at the ‘Piazza’ stop right in front of the MediaMarkt. Did you spot a Design Ride? Ticket holders can board for free at the designated stops, allowing you to take the Design Ride to Ketelhuisplein directly from the city center. Cycling works too, of course!

Why do you want to come here?

Ketelhuisplein is like a festival ground in itself: countless square meters filled with creations from designers worldwide. As a temporary open-air museum, the square offers space for large-scale installations. So big, you can't miss it. Additionally, the square is an ideal starting or ending point for your DDW adventure. All food stalls (and surrounding restaurants) will satisfy your hunger, and at the pop-up spot ‘The Bar,’ you can raise a glass to the day, perhaps finishing off with a little dance.

Our recommendations

• Blind Spots: Who is safety designed for? That's the question this installation asks. On Ketelhuisplein, you walk between oversized cameras and brightly colored nets, and answer questions along the way. All responses will help shape future policy advice.
• Designing Society: Some topics go down better at Dutch Design Week than at birthday parties, like how we want to live, work, care for each other, and get along. Luckily, you can share all your thoughts on that at Designing Society on Ketelhuisplein.
• Wuerstelhocker: A quick bite gets funny fast when you're sitting on a sausage stool. The idea comes from Vienna's snack culture: share a chat, have a laugh and move on. If that's not an icebreaker, we don't know what is!
• If Soil Could Speak: A lot happens under our feet that we never see. Soil catches water, holds on to it and slowly passes it on. But before you step inside the installation, a host helps you find out which Soil Superpower suits you!

More DDW nearby

Behind the Ketelhuis, you’ll find the iconic Klokgebouw. We could elaborate extensively, or you can read all about this DDW tip in this article. Got some time left? At Piet Hein Eek, you can explore various exhibitions, such as interior designs from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. As you'd expect at Piet Hein Eek, the more than 30 other exhibitions are all about furniture and interiors.

Other fun things to do in the area

Running, flying, falling, and getting back up again—a visit to the Dutch Design Week is a sport in itself. Need a break to recharge? Stop by the Koffiehuisje, located between the city center and Strijp-S, and unwind from all the design hustle and bustle.