Design Trust Grant and Fellowship Spotlight

Design Trust is pleased to share a selection of highlighted grant projects and news from fellowship schemes, including “Tell me Concrete Stories” by Enza Migliore and Mirna Zordan featured at China Pavilion of the 24th Triennale di Milano, the exhibition “Novo Typo Offgrid Expo” by Mark Van Wageningen at SWCAC Sea World Culture and Art Center in Shenzhen and the exhibition “IndusHaus: Notes from the underground” by Samuel Yip at Pao Galleries at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

Design Trust Seed Grant research “Tell me Concrete Stories” by Enza Migliore and Mirna Zordan

Design Trust Seed Grant research “Tell Me Concrete Stories” is currently featured at the 24th Triennale di Milano. Exhibited under the title Mediated Balancing, the project explores how design can respond to systemic inequalities through relational and research-through-design approaches. Developed by Enza Migliore and Mirna Zordan, Tell Me Concrete Stories investigates the cognitive and emotional dimensions of concrete from the perspective of construction workers—the individuals who shape the material that underpins rapid urbanisation in cities like Shenzhen. Through on-site interviews and EEG (electroencephalogram)-based experiments with these workers, the project visualises how they perceive and internalise the concrete they work with daily. By combining narrative storytelling with bio-signal data, the project reframes construction work as a form of embodied knowledge and sensory engagement. The exhibition presents video documentation of on-site interviews and experiments, EEG signal visualisations, and cast concrete samples corresponding to distinct brainwave patterns. This interdisciplinary approach draws attention to the often-overlooked perceptual world of urban builders, offering new insights into the relationship between material, labour, and urban life. The exhibition is on view till November 9^th 2025.

Design Trust Seed Grant exhibition “IndusHaus: Notes from the underground” by Samuel Yip at Pao Galleries at the Hong Kong Arts Centre

Design Trust Seed Grant exhibition “INDUSHAUS: Notes from the underground” by Samuel Yip featured at Pao Galleries at the Hong Kong Arts Centre from June 13^th to June 22^nd 2025 is created upon the ideation of “Future” presents a futuristic world with a series of interactive multimedia installations. The exhibition presents a speculative apocalypse narrative of extreme weather and depleting natural resources. The speculative "INDUSHAUS" features an underground cityscape, and is meticulously designed and technologically constructed as an underground sanctuary for survivors. The experiential exhibition of "INDUSHAUS" provokes reflection of current living environment and ecological issues, through an immersive and interactive exploration.

Design Trust Seed Grant exhibition “Novo Typo Offgrid Expo” by Mark Van Wageningen at SWCAC Sea World Culture and Art Center in Shenzhen

Design Trust Seed Grant project “Novo Typo Offgrid Expo” by grant recipient Mark Van Wageningen comprises three key components: an exhibition, a workshop, and a bilingual publication. The exhibition opened on May 24^th 2025 at the Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shenzhen, exploring how a self-sufficient and sustainable design studio can operate within a Chinese context. The exhibition is centered around three fundamental elements: letters, paper, and ink. Using local materials from Shenzhen, it demonstrates how these foundational components can be created sustainably, adapting the Dutch design philosophy to the Chinese environment. By visually translating a universal design concept into the Chinese context, the exhibition fosters dialogue with local designers, students, and other participants. It aims to inspire and inform the Chinese design field, offering fresh perspectives on sustainability and self-sufficient design practices. The exhibition is on view till September 21^st 2025.

Continuing the efforts of advocating the positive role of design, Design Trust is pleased to share the upcoming open call for the third edition of Design Trust Graphic Archive Research Fellowship in partnership with HKDI to be announced soon. Stay tuned for more updates.