“Something to Stay___On”

The Future of Design Lands at EM DISTRICT: Student Creatives Take Over for Bangkok Design Week 2026

During the recent Bangkok Design Week the EM DISTRICT—the heartbeat of Sukhumvit’s art and design scene—opened its doors to the next generation of Thai creatives.

This year’s theme, "DESIGN S/O/S," is a creative call to action. It was a challenge for designers to tackle local and global issues through the lens of art. For the second year running, EM DISTRICT is handing the microphone (and the floor space) to university students, transforming Emsphere into a massive canvas for the Academic Program.

Under the concept “Something to Stay___On,” 17 student teams from 11 universities are exploring what it means to build a resilient, sustainable city. This isn't just art for art's sake—these projects are:

"Something to Stay___On": Design with a Purpose

• Eco-Conscious: Utilizing local and environmentally friendly materials.

• People-Centered: Designed to be functional and tangible in everyday life.

• Resilient: Reflecting the strength and evolution of modern Bangkok.

This years show was a great way to showcase up and coming Thai Artists and Designers, and it gave the audience an insight into future possibilities of how the future of the city might be shaped.