Today, the cooperation of DutchDFA, Provincie Limburg and DDDE in 2012 was signed at the Dutch Pavilion at Floriade 2012. Based on the international experience as a company in the creative industry, Maurer United Architects initiated the formation of a desk to help Dutch Design firms with the ambition to enlarge their market beyond the national borders. The Dutch Design Desk Europe (DDDE) was founded in October 2011 and will focus on the largest business partner of the Netherlands during the first year: Germany.

Located in the city of Maastricht DDDE will help Dutch firms of the creative industry to find German business partners. Also, DDDE will gather all information and advice that firms are depending on as they develop cross-border business activities. Knowledge on legal, financial and cultural differences is crucial for firms that work across the borders. DDDE gathers this information specifically for the creative industry sector.

The geographical location of Maastricht also allows DDDE to develop the same services regarding to the Belgium market, another important business partner for the Netherlands, in the near future. In addition to the mentioned services, DDDE will also initiate debates, presentations and exhibitions to promote Dutch Design and encourage a field-specific international dialogue. Also, DDDE is open to set up and maintain networks with other nationalities and organizations, beyond Germany and Belgium.

More pictures of the ‘contract signing ceremony’ at the DDDE Flickr Site.

The Belgian C-mine and Design Platform Limburg are presenting ‘DESIGNWEDSTRIJD VOOR TE VERMARKTEN IDEEËN, CONCEPTEN, PRODUCTEN OF DIENSTEN.’. Designers that are interested in getting product development or sales advice can apply for a complete marketing coaching package.

Last year Sofie Hermans (textile designer) launched a succesful collection with the help of C-mine Pop-Up Shop edition 2011. This year’s deadline for applications is april 10th.

…
Open call
Regulations
…

Within the frame of the ‘Jahr der Architektur’ at the ‘Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln’ (MAKK), the museum is giving special attention to Dutch architecture during the month of april in 2012. Under the title ‘Stadt-Design.NL’ several Dutch example projects will be shown at the lecture hall of the museum from april 5th on. Prior to the selection of projects, Dutch Design Desk Europe (DDDE) interviewed a number Cologne architects about current issues in the German architecture field and the way German architects look at the developments in architecture in the Netherlands.

The series of interviews show that after the great impact of Dutch architecture in the international world of architecture in the 80-ties and 90-ties, today German architects value the way the Dutch are designing and developing their cities as a whole. All this resulted into the exhibition concept of ‘Stadt-Design.NL’ that shows projects of MVRDV, De Zwarte Hond, Bethem & Crouwel, West8, John Körmeling, Pasel Kuenzel, Jeanne van Heeswijk, NL Architects, Karres en Brands, Mecanoo, Jo Coenen en Marx en Steketee.

Next the exhibition, DDDE also developed a web portal. The site www.stadt-design.nl functions as a German-language portfolio of Dutch architecture and is open for expansion with other high quality projects. Architects that want to accede the German market are welcome to contact DDDE for more information.

On april 5th, NAi is organizing a lecture by John Körmeling at the Cologne Museum für Angewandte Kunst. After the lecture a discussion, moderated by Oliver Herwig will be held. The evening programme starts at 19.00h.

The lecture takes place within the frame of ‘Stadt-Design.NL’, a cooperation of Dutch Design Desk Europe (DDDE), the General-Consulate of the Netherlands and Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi).

On april 12th, DDDE is organizing a lecture by Francine Houben at the Cologne Museum für Angewandte Kunst. After the lecture a panel discussion, moderated by Oliver Herwig will investigate the opions of Matthias Rottman (De Zwarte Hond), Ralf Pasel (Pasel Künzel Architects) and Francine Houben (Mecanoo) on ‘Stadt-Design’in the Netherlands. The evening programme starts at 18.00h.

The lecture takes place within the frame of ‘Stadt-Design.NL’, a cooperation of Dutch Design Desk Europe (DDDE), the General-Consulate of the Netherlands and Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi).