What can design achieve – for society and our coexistence? This question is at the heart of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain. As a prelude to its festival year in 2026, this year’s GAST at the VIENNA DESIGN WEEK already invites the audience to selected projects that show how design can positively influence democratic processes. At the World Design Capital stand – designed by studio formagora – visitors can expect talks, workshops, a reading corner, and interactive activities to try out and think about. At Drinks for Democracy, the rule is: One drink for one opinion – anyone who joins in the discussion gets a drink.

The World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 showcase also features parts of the Offenbach mold archive from the STADTSTEMPEL project, with which studio pari–pari is making a guest appearance as part of the VIENNA DESIGN WEEK format Stadtarbeit.

PROGRAMME

Talk with studio formagora and Barbara Lersch (WDC 2026):
Fri 26.9., 4pm–5pm

Drinks for Democracy:
Fri 26.9., 5pm–8pm
Sat 27.9., 5pm–10pm
Sun 28.9., 6pm–8pm
Fri 3.10., 6pm–8pm
Sat 4.10., 6pm–8pm

Workshop with studio formagora:
Sat 27.9., 1pm–3pm
Sat 27.9., 4pm–7pm
Sun 28.9., 1pm–6pm

Talk with Studio Kai Linke and Barbara Lersch (WDC 2026):
Sat 27.9., 3pm–4pm

Viewing STADTSTEMPEL × DESIGN FOR DEMOCRACY:
Fri 3.10., 5pm–6pm
Joint viewing of the Offenbach archive with studio pari–pari and World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 at the Festival Headquarters. Moderated by Kai Rosenstein (WDC 2026).

Talk with Harald Gründl (IDRV – Institute of Design Research Vienna) and Kai Rosenstein (WDC 2026):
Sat 4.10., 5pm–6pm