Design Museum Gent reopens on 3 October 2026 with a New Wing and Renewed Museum Concept
On 3 October 2026, Design Museum Gent, Belgium, reopens after a four-year transformation, marking a new chapter as Belgium’s largest design museum and a platform where design meets societal change.
With a new wing and a renewed museum concept, it invites visitors to look at the world with a critical eye. Starting from the idea that everything is designed — and therefore can be redesigned — the museum explores how design shapes everything from everyday objects to the systems that structure our lives.
Bringing together collection highlights, contemporary interventions and an opening exhibition on design and democracy, Design Museum Gent becomes a space for experimentation, dialogue and collective action.
Design Museum Gent is one of Europe’s leading institutions dedicated to design and applied arts, uniquely bridging historical depth with contemporary relevance. Founded in 1903, the museum has grown from a private initiative into a dynamic public institution, housing an extensive collection that spans from the 14th century to today, with a particular focus on Belgian design.
Located in the historic heart of Ghent, the museum is an architectural ensemble in itself, combining an 18th-century mansion (Hotel de Coninck), the Leten House with its 16th-century core, and a late 20th-century wing. A new extension further connects these buildings, positioning the museum as both a heritage site and a forward-looking cultural platform.
Throughout its history, Design Museum Gent has played an active role in shaping and promoting design culture—from early model collections and world exhibition acquisitions to pioneering initiatives that brought modern, affordable design to a wider audience. Today, it continues to position itself as a critical space for reflection, dialogue, and innovation in design.
Reopening to the public on 3 October 2026 after a four-year closure, the museum — under the direction of Katrien Laporte — enters a new chapter—reaffirming its role as a key reference point for design in Belgium and beyond.
Main Image: Design Museum Gent New Wing View From The Gravensteen September 2025 Photo ©Michiel De Cleene For Design Museum Gent