Bilbao Bizkaia Design Week 2025: Regenerative design for a viable future
From 20–28 November, Bilbao will once again become a hub of creative thought with a new edition of Bilbao Bizkaia Design Week (BBDW25), curated by Pez Estudio with graphic design by Vedia. This year, design is presented not as a tool for consumption, but as a transformative force — one that sustains, nurtures, and regenerates life.
Design as an Ecosocial Response
Under the theme “Regenerative Design”, BBDW25 responds to a present shaped by the climate emergency and ecosocial crisis. Sustainability is no longer enough: it’s time to go further — to heal ecosystems, revitalise communities and build viable futures.
This edition proposes a shift in paradigm: from functional design to design with consciousness and purpose. In line with this vision, BBDW25 reinforces its environmental commitment by applying for the Erronka Garbia seal, which certifies events held under sustainable criteria.
“Sustainability is no longer enough: it’s time to go further and to heal ecosystems, revitalise communities and build viable futures.”
The 2025 programme is designed to activate processes of interdependence and care, promoting practices that restore value to both natural and human environments — a bold look toward a future where design becomes a true catalyst for change.
Regenerative design in action: over 15 local activities
The programme features more than 15 activities led by local organisations, exploring design through various disciplines: regenerative fashion, biomaterials, interior design, fablabs, creative workshops, professional meetups, and an innovation marketplace.
These proposals blend technology, culture, and sustainability, proving that design can — and must — be an active force in ecosocial transformation.
Irekiera: A Collective Pulse Begins
20 November · 18:30–20:30 · Ensanche Building
The official opening, Irekiera, launches the week with an inspiring session featuring key voices in regenerative design:
– Jan Boelen, curator and director of Atelier LUMA (France), a pioneer in connecting ecology, design and territory.
– Jenny Andersson, strategist and regenerative activist, founder of the Really Regenerative Centre (UK).
– Carlota Sanz, economist and co-founder of the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL).
Moderated by Maitena Salinas, with an introduction by Elisa de los Reyes from Pez Estudio, the event combines talks, dialogues and creative momentum to turn urgency into opportunity.
Free admission with simultaneous translation into Spanish.
Seeds for regeneration: cultivating shared futures
21 November · 10:00–14:00 · Ensanche Building
A space where local professionals and international figures exchange experiences, practices and visions focused on design for regeneration. The goal: to sow project ideas that reactivate life by connecting communities, creativity and action.
Laborategia & Taupada: Youthful Creativity, Civic Pulse
24 November · 12:30–14:00 · Ensanche Building
Laborategia invites design students from the Basque Country to respond to community health challenges with creative proposals.
These initiatives inspire Taupada / Latido, an interactive installation that beats in the streets of Bilbao — literally connected to the hearts of those who experience it.
This poetic and technological piece transforms each heartbeat into a collective act of awareness and life. It also responds to a challenge set by the Bilbao City Council’s Health Department: to raise CPR awareness and encourage action in emergencies.
HOPE! Video Forum: dreaming as action
23 November · 11:00–14:00 · Ensanche Building
Hope! Caring Cities presents a screening of Episode 2 of the documentary series, The Power of Two Words, focused on European community regeneration initiatives: local currencies, energy cooperatives, mutual aid networks.
Followed by a debate with:
– Cote Romero, founder of HOPE! and the Ola Regenerativa movement.
– Local projects such as Besteak de Abad, Butroi Bizirik, drOp Ermua and Integrate NBS (BC3), which link design, ecology and community.
An open session to exchange ideas and spark new ways of caring for the commons.
Vuelta, Cruz, Vuelta: crafting futures
21–27 November · 9:00–20:30 · La Perrera, Sabino Arana 50
One highlight is Vuelta, Cruz, Vuelta by Jaione Anzola, which reclaims traditional lace-making as a contemporary and sustainable design practice. The exhibition presents textiles, audiovisual materials and a staged display that bridges heritage and innovation.
Part of Konekta Ideiak: GreenGlam II, curated by Estudio Bokashi and supported by the Bilbao Youth Department.
5X5® Bilbao: design that transforms SMEs
20 November · 11:00–12:00 · Ensanche Building
This international initiative showcases how design and innovation impact small and medium enterprises. Local case studies presented at the opening include:
– Jabones El Abra × Brand Creatiers
– Sunrise Medical × Concept Hache
– Asimob × Uxpertise
– Bromalgae × Pars Pro Toto
The exhibition also features projects from Belgium and Kaunas, and will remain open in various venues until January 2026.
Maker Faire Bilbao & creative technology
21 November · TBA · Artiach Factory
As part of Maker Faire Bilbao, Espacio Open presents work from the Maker Ekintzaile 2025 residencies, featuring interactive installations, digital culture proposals and public demos that bridge tech, art and citizen participation.
Murcof: audiovisual journey into the heart of Etna
21 November · 20:30–21:15 · Iglesia de la Encarnación
Renowned Mexican artist Fernando Corona (Murcof) presents The Etna Sessions, an immersive experience combining electronic music, field recordings and AI-processed visuals. A sensorial dialogue between landscape, technology and emotion — where sound becomes a language of the invisible.
ADITU MATCH: design navigating towards the future
21 November · 12:00–13:00 · Getxo Elkartegia
ADITU MATCH, developed by the Células Creativas project, brings real design management cases from companies. This edition features Oliver Design, a leader in naval architecture and interior design, sharing three sustainable projects created for the Bay of Abra. Held in collaboration with Getxo Sormen Hub, the event includes a networking session.
Podcasting & regenerative voices
26 November · 18:00–21:30 · Ensanche Building
In partnership with Tracking Bilbao, this live podcasting session invites creative voices from the Basque Country to explore how design contributes to regeneration. Regenerative Futures brings together Proyecto Hemen / H05, Adele Orcajada and DOT to discuss materials, neo-craft, regenerative fashion and community building.
Partekatu!: collective celebration and closing
28 November · 20:00–22:00 · Ensanche Building
The week concludes with Partekatu! — a creative evening celebrating what has been shared and dreaming of common futures. The night opens with Fertility, an immersive video performance by Sabina Covarrubias, followed by other key moments from the week.
A week that sparks real change
Since its inception in 2014 and its inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Bilbao has built its Design Week into a globally relevant platform. And in 2025, it goes one step further: turning design into a regenerative tool that puts life at the centre.
In short, BBDW25 is an invitation to create with hope, imagine fertile futures, and transform crisis into conscious action. Save the date!
More info & registration: www.bilbaobizkaiadesignweek.eus.
