Design
House of Design (Casa do Design)
A result of a partnership between Matosinhos City Council and ESAD IDEA, the House of Design is an exhibition and research space dedicated to design and art. It is a dynamic hub for reflection and creativity and is part of a wider network of cultural facilities.
The esad-idea Design Incubator is a non-profit association and incubation structure located in the Matosinhos Municipal Market. Supported by ESAD and Matosinhos City Council, its mission is to develop, research, and promote various creative and cultural projects.
Organised by ESAD, the Porto Design Biennale has hosted over 300 projects, including exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and publications, attracting more than 50,000 visitors. The 2023 edition, its third, was dedicated to the theme of Water.
The Exploratory is the headquarters of the Porto Design Biennale. Located in the same building as ESAD—IDEA, this multifunctional space opens the world of Design to the community through a continuous programme of exhibitions, talks, workshops, performances, and events.
In addition to its activities, the Exploratory features a concept store where visitors can find a curated selection of objects, books on Design, Art, and Gastronomy. It is also a free-to-use shared workspace.
Social Design Week (Semana do Design Social)
Part of the Postgraduate Programme in Design for Social Impact at the Higher School of Arts and Design (ESAD), Social Design Week invites participants to reflect on the impact of design on society through conferences and workshops, exploring how design can drive economic and social development.
