House of Design is a platform for professional design. We stimulate the innovative strength of designers and presents this to SMEs, gouvernment and the public. Therefore we initiate and organise projects, national and international. We aim for sustainable and innovative solutions.

House of Design works with what we call the local value chain model. It is a model with which we develop local circular production chains. We link this to the effects on the environment and society. The values ​​we want to influence include connection to the region, no waste, biodiversity, fewer CO2 emissions, pride, employment, related policies and new revenue models. It is important that the chains are within a radius of 100 kilometres, so that the impact directly relates to the region.

Read more about the local value chain in this interview with Eileen Blackmore.

Design nowadays, is more than a product to solve or improve furniture or objects we daily use. It is not to be compared any more with the definitions of design as in the 19th of 20th century. In the 21st century design looks from a different context, is cross disciplines and focused on society.

Design or art, or something in between; we focus on an open approach of design. Design also has the function to thing about our common future, discuss about issues, to reflect identities, to dwell on our daily culture and to experiment with new technologies.

By organising activities and exhibitions we want to show how design has its role in the development of our cultural heritage of the 21st century and how we can shape our future.

House of Design works from an office in Groningen and from the Blokhuispoort in Leeuwarden.