Ask yourself: when was the last time you gave a piece of art the attention it deserves, beyond just a passing glance? In our fast-paced lives, today’s consumption culture has overshadowed our sense of what thoughtful design really represents. Instead of recognising artistry and materiality behind an object, attention has shifted toward affordability alone. To counter this shift, the Reka Design Week 2025 (RDW), presented by the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID), charted new synergies between art and design during its finale showcase in Pavilion Damansara Heights in Kuala Lumpur.
The four-day programme advocated the importance of purposeful creativity, inviting visitors to discover works of today’s leading creatives and from earlier decades. Featuring a spectrum of works— from functional design pieces to expressive artworks and architectural fittings—it prompted a renewed appreciation for the stories, makers, and labour embedded in every creation. This year’s edition was supported by Topmix, Dulux, Global Titanium Coating, Mofi Modula Fixtures, Home Master, Perodua, and PaperKite; with Carfé and Rauh-Welt Begriff as art car partners; Outlet as art partner; and Robb Report Malaysia as the official media partner.
Here’s a look at this year’s key exhibits and experiences.
Carfé and Rauh-Welt Begriff (RWB)
Jointly produced by Carfé, RWB, and local street artist Jefr Studio, the Porsche art car made its grand reveal at RDW’s opening ceremony. The customised vehicle was among the most talked-about highlights of the showcase.
Dulux
The architectural and decorative paint unveiled blue as its Colour of the Year 2026, presenting an indigo-toned collection called The Rhythm of Blues. The palette spotlights Free Groove, Mellow Flow, and Slow Swing as its three hero shades to inspire interiors that feel fluid, soothing, and creatively grounded amid today’s hyperactive world.
Stanzo Italia
Known for presenting Italian furniture at its finest, the luxury furniture gallery brought together exceptional pieces from Molteni&C, Gallotti&Radice, Poltrona Frau, and Ceccotti Collezioni. The curated display gave visitors an up-close look at bespoke craftsmanship, featuring pieces such as armchairs, a glass tabletop, and a decorative lamp sculpture.
Roche Bobois
The Bubble Armchair by Sacha Lakic reimagined what contemporary furniture can be with its curved silhouette and playful geometry. Its rounded profile and soft curves evoke a sense of buoyancy and cheer to any space, while its high-resilience foam and stretchable upholstery respond comfortably to the sitter.
Chape & Mache’s Reine Floor Lamp integrated lighting utility with functional craftsmanship. Its tall, stately profile, framed by architectural motifs, acts as both a practical light source and a sculptural statement. Whether placed in a living area, a reading nook, or inside a bedroom, it makes for a standout centrepiece in any setting.
Lumping Rocking Horse by alvinT
Inspired by the Kuda Lumping—a traditional Javanese dance performed with flat, woven-bamboo horses—Indonesian product designer Alvin Tjitrowirjo created the Lumping Rocking Horse as a sculptural reinterpretation of this cultural symbolism. The dance is widely believed to depict historic battles against Dutch colonial forces, and remains a familiar presence at ceremonies, rites of passages, and everyday cultural celebrations. Handcrafted in high-grade rattan by artisans in Cirebon, West Java, the piece is produced on a made-to-order basis and offered through various furniture retailers in Jakarta and across Southeast Asia.
Magna Glaskeramik
Headquartered in Teutschental, Germany, the manufacturer holds the exclusive patent for producing Glaskeramik, an innovative and sustainable material crafted entirely from industrial glass waste and discarded bottles. Its proprietary crystallisation process, which includes hand-finished steps, gives Glaskeramik a distinctive translucent and crystalline quality when refracted by light. No two slabs are identical, yet each retains its pure recycled-glass formulation.
One of its notable projects employing this material is Bvlgari’s flagship store on Shanghai’s Nanjing Road. Clad in brass and recycled shards of clear and green glass, the façade glows in a rich jade hue, nodding to Bvlgari’s original Roman storefront and Shanghai’s Art Deco architectural language.
Brionvega
Designed in 1965 by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the Radiofonografo is a prime representation of modern industrial design. Its retro aesthetic, combined with polished sound quality and an adjustable speaker module, allows the audio to adapt to any environment.
Mario Bellini’s 1971 creation, Totem, demonstrates minimalist principles with geometric balance. A sleek white cuboid conceals a fully equipped Hi-Fi system, complete with a stereo module, radio, and turntable.
Artisan Market by Outlet
What started as a small passion project quickly flourished into a hub for discovery, collaboration, and community engagement. Its first artisan marketplace at The Campus, Ampang, in early September, was met with great enthusiasm, attracting plenty of visitors and vendors. Building on this success, the platform’s second installation at this year’s RDW featured an eclectic mix of products and designs from illustrators, graphic artists, ceramicists, publishers, product designers, and makers.
Arts & Craft Workshops
The programme brought artmaking to the forefront with a series of hands-on workshops. Participants tried their hands at batik canting and painting with Sham Abu Bakar, explored watercolour techniques with Lulu Kuono, and sculpted mini portraits alongside Chao Harn Kae.
