The Rohan Design District festival is coming with its second edition, subtitled Fragile World. From June 5 to 7, 2025, Rohanské nábřeží will become the epicenter of architecture and design, where professionals and the public will meet. The ambition is to create a respected European platform supporting creative dialogue and the building of new contacts in the field.
A successful first edition
The first edition of the festival confirmed that Prague truly needs such a platform. One of the highlights of the program was an inspiring lecture by architect Eva Jiřičná, who shared her vision of modern architecture with visitors. A guided tour of the new HolKa footbridge led by one of the co-authors of this structure, Petr Tej, also attracted extraordinary attention from the public and experts alike. “RDD proved to be an excellent platform connecting the community of architects and designers, while remaining open to the general public. This is exactly what we could see during the joint walks across Štvanická lávka, where professionals from the field met people who are simply interested in architecture,” Petr Tej evaluates the first edition. For example, leading Czech designers Vrtiška & Žák and Lucie Koldová actively took part in the program, as did the architectural studios QARTA Architektura, CMC ARCHITECTS, and Schindler Seko architekti, as well as major development groups such as Sekyra Group and Trigema. A different perspective on the location was offered by a joint run with David Luu, who introduced participants to the transformations of the city in motion.
Fragile World in the spotlight
Under the curatorial direction of architect and designer Jiří Pelcl, emeritus rector of Prague’s UMPRUM, a unique installation titled Fragile World will be created in the expansive atrium of Amazon Court. “Today, a lot is being said about the fragility of the world around us. Glass naturally reflects this theme – it is fragile, but when you know how to work with it, it surprises with its durability. That is why we chose glass for the main installation in Rohan,” explains Pelcl, recipient of the Czech Grand Design award and a member of the Hall of Fame of the Czech Design Academy. The installation will present the very best of contemporary Czech glassmaking. The program will also include a series of engaging lectures and expert discussions on the main stage in the atrium of Amazon Court, where leading figures from the fields of design and architecture will appear. The program will be further complemented by two stages – an indoor and an outdoor one. Festival visitors can also look forward to an open-air cinema in the garden of Bulthaup.
A platform for the community with an international reach
The first edition of RDD showed the power of connecting the world of design and architecture with the everyday life of the city. The festival creates space for mutual inspiration and dialogue. Thanks to this openness, it is possible to present architecture and design as a natural part of urban life and the development of Prague. For its second edition, the festival sets itself the ambitious goal of strengthening its international dimension and establishing itself as a significant event on the map of European design festivals.
Development of a promising location
“After last year’s success, when our festival was visited by more than a thousand people over three days, we are continuing. This year our association is focusing on the theme of a changing world. A world that is increasingly becoming a fragile place to live,” says Radek Váňa, journalist and promoter of design, who, together with other enthusiasts, founded the Rohan Design District association.
Rohanské nábřeží has been developing dynamically over the past twenty years and is becoming an important part of Prague’s cultural and business environment. Hundreds of new apartments are being built in the area, and a number of major Czech and international companies have their headquarters here. “Rohanské nábřeží is a location that is changing literally from day to day. Those of us who are actively operating here: selling, designing, building… want to show the energy and strength of what is happening in Rohan,” adds Lukáš Školoud, another of the association’s founders and CEO of the ELITE BATH+KITCHEN brand.
Program of the second edition
The festival will offer three days packed with expert lectures, specialized tours, and hands-on workshops. Visitors can look forward to:
- An exhibition of contemporary Czech glass art
- Meetings with leading Czech architects and designers
- Discussions about the future of Rohanské nábřeží
- Presentations of the latest trends in architecture and design
- Interactive workshops and installationsTechnical information
Date: June 5-7, 2025
Location: Rohanské nábřeží, Prague 8
First edition in numbers: 2000+ registered, 42 speakers, 25 partners, 1200+ visitorsAbout Rohan Design District
Rohan Design District is an initiative founded with the aim of supporting the development of the Rohanské nábřeží area and creating a platform for meetings of professionals from the fields of architecture and design. The festival is organized by the Rohan Design District association. The founders of the RDD association are Lukáš Školoud from ELITE BATH+KITCHEN, Veronika Fallevoz from Alukov, Miloslav Kolařík from Decoland, and Radek Váňa from the agency Idealab.
Rohan Design District
June 5-7, 2025, Rohanské nábřeží, Prague 8
