28 November 2025 target group: Urban renovator

From Kortrijk to Valencia: Kortrijk Xpo and DRK build bridges in design

Our founding partner Kortrijk Xpo organised ARCHITECT@WORK in Valencia for the first time on 19 and 20 November. ARCHITECT@WORK is an international event that focuses on innovation in architecture. It brings architects, designers and manufacturers together to discuss the latest materials, techniques and sustainable solutions.

Valencia, like Kortrijk, is recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. This is no coincidence: both cities share a strong design culture and a vision in which creativity is used as a driver for urban development and social impact. Valencia has been investing in design for years as a catalyst for innovation, sustainability and inclusion – values that are also central to our new strategy.

Setting up a new concept in an unfamiliar market is a challenge. Designregio Kortrijk (DRK) supported Kortrijk Xpo through its contacts with the Valencia Design Foundation, DRK's local counterpart. This organisation has an extensive network of companies, designers, (interior) architects and educational institutions. The Valencia Design Foundation was created as a legacy of Valencia's status as World Design Capital in 2022. In this way, the great design celebration of that time is being transformed into a sustainable ecosystem that is shaping the future of the city.

ARCHITECT@WORK Valencia was an instant success, attracting 75 exhibitors and more than 1,500 visitors. For DRK, it was particularly instructive to see the machinery behind the event up close: from stand builders to account managers and event organisers. The concept has been worked out down to the last detail and shows how design professionals around the world are working together on innovation.

During our 24 hours in Valencia, we also got to know the Valencia Design Foundation's portfolio of activities. Their core focus is on connecting designers with businesses, governments, education and even healthcare. They are also strongly committed to community building and promoting design with projects such as the Social Design Awards, Paradis Design Talks and the Valencia Design Fest.

This opens up new perspectives for DRK: from international collaboration to projects focusing on social impact and sustainability, and even youth participation through educational design programmes. Let's hope the Creative Europe funding programme opens soon, so we can put our collaboration plans into action!