"Bangkok Design Week" is back in town once again. Being held by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, the Bangkok Design Week 2020 (BKKDW2020) is introduced under the theme "Resilience: New potential for living". In partnership with over 60 state agencies, public organizations, academia and international institutions, as well as 2,000 designers and creative businesses. The BKKDW2020 reflects Bangkok way of life and showcases ideas to promote living together in diversity, create a safe and secure society, and foster the collaborative working environment to prepare Bangkok for whatever the future brings. The intellectual playground inspires and exhibits ideas through a series of activities, including art exhibitions, talks which aimed at promoting the development of urban living, and creative markets. Taking places in four Creative Districts, namely Charoenkrung – Talad Noi, Samyan, Ari – Pradipat, and Thonglor – Ekamai, the festival reinforces Bangkok's status as one of the UNESCO's Creative Cities. The BKKDW2020 will be held during 1-9 February 2020.

Bangkok #Safezone Shelter In a scenario where urban dwellers face risks of pollutant PM2.5 that is harmful to life, Creative Economy Agency (CEA)in collaboration with Shma and UNESCO: Bangkok City of Design present "Air Quality Pavilion", developed to be a prototype for a green safe space consisting of green plants, wind, and water, and incorporating design, creativity, and state-of-the-art technologies. This shelter welcomes visitors to fill up lungs with refreshing air, exhibited at the Grand Postal Building, Bang Rak.

Everlasting Forest by GC In the next zone, Everlasting Forest by GC, presented by PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, is introducing the relationship of coexistence between nature and man-made objects in daily life. Showcasing under the concept of Bio-Circular-Green economy. The exhibition promotes the production of goods and services with environmentally friendly processes and the collaboration among designers, producers, and consumers to foster the coexistence between humans and nature.

Made in Charoenkrung In the old commercial district, visitors can still find traditional shops, including art and craft shops which are more than 100 years old. Some shops in Charoenkrung are the only ones of their kind which exists in Bangkok. Amid the rapid change of the commercial environment, these long-established shops are facing challenges and need to adapt to change before vanishing over time. "Made in Charoenkrung" project aims to develop the business potential of Charoenkrung district by using creativity and innovative ideas joining forces by ten designers and creative thinkers. The project promotes 11 traditional shops in the area so that they can grow steadily and adapt to the contexts of the modern world. List of the shops joining the project includes: "Heng Seng" an 80-year-old shop that produces hand-made prayer cushions; "Garuda sculpture shop" the only hand-made Garuda emblem shop in Charoenkrung; "Earsair" a 100-year-old Chinese herbal store, and "New Heng Ki" a 60-year-old Chinese Restaurant.  

Portrait of Charoenkrung Charoenkrung district has changed rapidly over the past few years. Old buildings and traditional shops are about to vanish while many people reflect their thought that that Charoenkrung, the neighbourhood they used to know, will never be the same. From the old commercial district, the Charoenkrung nowadays is recognised as the city's hip neighbourhood where many visitors want to explore the area to get snapshots.   "Portrait of Charoenkrung" by Sungkrohsang, CEA & Neighbors, is a project that uses the science of photography to make a positive change for the local communities and the neighbourhood. The project photographs stories of Charoenkrung in the year 2020, portrayed through Mr./Mrs./Miss/boy and girl of "Charoenkrung, to reflect the identity and value of the neighbourhood from the past to the present. The exhibition showcases valuable and untold aspects of Charoenkrung, including legends, histories, societies, families, ways of life, careers, businesses, and diversified cultures. The photographic project aims to preserve the present, predict the direction of the future, and encourage people in Charoenkrung to adapt for change and learn to live together sustainably.   Creative District Tour Discover stories, experience and learn about the way of life in Charoenkrung district with exclusive tours in four routes: "Charoenjai" Experience the uniqueness and get to know more about the of the rise of Charoenkrung; "Krung – Thed" Discover stories of international communities living harmoniously and become a vibrant part of Charoenkrung nationhood; "Port CITY" Look into another perspective of Charoenkrung which reflects Thailand's multicultural society, a dynamic force in the social and cultural environment from the Ayutthaya Kingdom to the capital city of Bangkok; and "Moments in Charoenkrung" Enjoy new sightseeing experience and capture impressive scenes of Charoenkrung through watercolour painting activity with Louis Sketcher, a famous urban sketcher and illustrator.  

Haus Of Everything Exhibited at the House No.1, Haus Of Everything showcases the resilience of print media under the concept 'Print is not Dead' and presented by Nontawat Charoenchasri, a designer and creative thinker who has profound experiences in various fields including graphic design, architecture, interior design, and magazine. Joining hands with 50 designers who also have a passion for print design, the exhibition aims to highlight the value and importance of print media, which are adapted to change in the information age.   Streetscape 2 The experimental project aims to improve the pedestrian experience in Charoenkrung. Created by P. LIBRARY DESIGN STUDIO, the Streetscape 2 has been developed from the 2019 edition of Streetscape with an intention to turn the ideas into a permanent project for the neighbourhood. This year, the project introduces Camera 2020 with a wayfinding feature that contains VDO presentation of different places in Soi Charoenkrung, as well as related information including a level of PM2.5 and details about the BKKDW 2020. Also, the project adds a fun element to street signs put on the ground to ensure that visitors can find a way to enjoy exploring different places in Charoenkrung.  

7 Wonders of Business Resilience Besides exhibitions and art installations, BKKDW 2020 features a series of inspirational talks. One of the highlights is "7 Wonders of Business Resilience". The creative talk will deliver a surge of inspiration through business success stories shared by seven well-known brands, namely a piece(s) of paper, Super Lock & Micron Ware, Ta.Tha.Ta, A49, Naraya, Baan Somtum, and Nam Ob Prung Choukhun. The talk will be held on Sunday, 2 February, 14.00 – 17.00 hrs. at the Function Room, 4th Floor, TCDC Bangkok.   Bangkok Design Week 2020 Powered by PechaKucha PechaKucha 20 images x 20 seconds: Presentation of fun ideas, works, and thoughts from 20 Thai and international creative speakers who will be sharing new ideas and unique experiences for audiences. Under the theme 'Resilience: New Potential for Living', PechaKucha will feature speakers who are renowned creators playing important roles in driving the creative economy. The list of creative speakers includes: Natathan Saengchai, Podcast station director from Salmon Podcast; Katanyu Swangsri, Stand-up comedian; Pongtap Anurat from Dropkick Design Co., an actor, and Design Director at Daypoets; Prem Pruktayanon, Operator and Facebook Page Owner "3 Wheels Uncle"; and a winner from the "Clean Energy in Daily Life Powered by PechaKucha. The event will be held on Saturday, 8 February 2020, 15.00 – 18.00 hrs., at the Function Room, 4th Floor (Front Building), TCDC Bangkok.

A creative market The event showcases a creative market for new and veteran entrepreneurs for building business opportunities, networks, and market channels. Highlights include: Pinkoi Market in Bangkok 2020 that gathers design works from more than 50 design studios from Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, China and Southeast Asia; Showrooms which display designs under the concept Eco-Living and Smart Life Living; and Art Workshops by Thai and foreign designers. The activities take place along the route between Grand Postal Building and Warehouse 30 (Warehouse 7-8).   For the first time, the organiser of BKKDW is joining hands with different creative venues, namely, Ari – Pradipat and Thonglor – Ekamai, and transform   these areas into an intellectual playground for creative people. Highlights include "ThongEk Creative Neighborhood" by Eakamai & Friends. The exhibition showcases a joint effort from people in Thonglor – Ekamai and reflects the identity of the neighbourhood, a blend of history and a new wave of business in the area. "The making of Tinkering Pot: Ari-Pradipat Creative District" by TINKERING POT. The exhibition introduces the background and objective of the Ari-Pradipat Creative District that marks its beginning at Bangkok Design Week 2020. The exhibition also showcases 40 design studios in the neighbourhood.   Bangkok Design Week 2020 (BKKDW2020) will be held between 1 – 9 February 2020 at creative venues in Charoenkrung – Talad Noi, Samyan, Ari – Pradipat and Thonglor – Ekamai. Follow BKKDW2020 and get the latest updates on creative activities at bangkokdesignweek.com; Facebook: BangkokDesignWeek; Instagram: bangkokdesignweek; #BKKDW2020 and #bangkokdesignweek