Design Academy Eindhoven Master's Students Protest Overcrowding at Graduation Show
On Saturday, master's students at Design Academy Eindhoven demonstrated against the Graduation Show, chanting "No space today, no work to show" and holding a banner that read "DAE overenrolled under-spaced." They blame the situation on the postponed move to Kanaalzone, now scheduled for September 2028, which has led to part of the Witte Dame building being returned to the landlord. This has caused a shortage of facilities, with fewer than one table available for each student and a closed library. Student Pao Redó remarked that the master's floor was "completely erased." The protesters are calling for external workspaces, financial transparency, and student representation. Executive board chair Raf De Keninck recognized the space issues but expressed optimism about finding a solution.
Key facts
- Master's students protested at the Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show opening on Saturday morning
- Protesters chanted "No space today, no work to show" and carried a banner reading "DAE overenrolled under-spaced"
- The academy's move to the Kanaalzone has been delayed from 2026 to September 2028
- The fifth floor of the Witte Dame building, previously used by master's students, was returned to the landlord at the start of the academic year
- Students allege fewer than one table per person, no maker space and a library closed since the end of September due to staff shortages
- Master's student Pao Redó said the master's floor had been "completely erased" from the building
- Executive board chair Raf De Keninck said the school lost one-third of the building but prioritises education
- DAE alumni include Hella Jongerius, Maarten Baas, Piet Hein Eek, Formafantasma and Sabine Marcelis
Entities
Artists
- Pao Redó
- Raf De Keninck
- Hella Jongerius
- Maarten Baas
- Piet Hein Eek
- Formafantasma
- Sabine Marcelis
- Moyu Nishiyama
Institutions
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- Dezeen
- Phillips
- The Guardian
Locations
- Eindhoven
- Netherlands
- Witte Dame
- Kanaalzone
- France
Sources
- Dezeen —