On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the first exhibition of the Slovenian Biennial of Design BIO and the 10th anniversary of the biennial’s production platform, a short documentary film, Ten Years of the Biennial of Design, has been produced. The film highlights a decade of the biennial’s transformation into an experimental, research-oriented, and production-driven platform that connects design with the social, environmental, and technological challenges of our time.

The Slovenian Biennial of Design BIO, organised by the Museum of Architecture and Design, is considered one of the oldest events of its kind in the world. Founded in 1963, it has, over six decades, established itself as one of the key international design events in Europe, fostering innovative links between architecture, industry, and academia, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration.

A Decade of Production Platforms (2014–2024)

In 2014, BIO underwent a significant conceptual shift under the curatorship of Jan Boelen. Replacing the traditional exhibition model with awards, the biennial introduced production platforms—interdisciplinary groups that develop concrete projects through collaborative processes in response to pressing contemporary social issues. This approach reinforced the role of design as a tool for research, critical inquiry, and social transformation.

The documentary provides insight into the key moments and protagonists of this period, from BIO 24 (2014) to BIO 28 (2024). It features numerous internationally renowned curators, mentors, jury members, and participants, including Jan Boelen, Maja Vardjan, Konstantin Grcic, Alice Rawsthorn, Angela Rui, Jane Withers, and Alexandra Midal, alongside many other collaborating designers, researchers, and theorists.

The Archive as a Living Document of Its Time

The film draws on archival footage from RTV Slovenija as well as documentary material from the Museum of Architecture and Design, creating a valuable visual record of the biennial’s development. Through personal testimonies and reflections, it reveals how the production platforms—addressing themes such as hidden crafts, nanotourism, hacking household appliances, rural revitalisation, biovernacular design, and communicating modern architecture—have collectively shaped a new model of design practice.

Creative Team

The project was led by Maja Šuštaršič (MAO), with editing by Tina Lagle (OSM Films). The film was completed in March 2025.

Ten Years of the Biennial of Design 2014–2024 offers an overview of the past decade while reflecting on the future of design—its responsibility, its potential, and its role in a time of profound social change. On the occasion of this double anniversary, BIO reaffirms its position as a dynamic international platform that has, for sixty years, co-created a space for critical and engaged design production.