This October, the 11th edition of the Poznań Design Festival invited locals and visitors alike to “Take a Breather” with a weekend of art, workshops, and talks, all designed around the theme of rest and renewal. From exploring calming installations to connecting with the city’s landscape in new ways, this year’s festival brought moments of real respite in the heart of Poznań. Here’s a look at some of our favourite experiences from a memorable weekend.
The Forest Experience Zone: An Oasis in the City
One of the most talked-about installations of the Poznań Design Festival this year was the Forest Experience Zone by Natalia Adamczyk. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing, this installation created a mini woodland escape right in Stary Browar’s Słodownia. As we walked barefoot over natural textures, surrounded by soft ambient sounds, it felt like stepping into another world. The Forest Experience Zone brought a touch of nature to the urban setting, allowing us to feel grounded and present—a gentle reminder of the peace that natural spaces can bring.
“Reset” by Agata Kiedrowicz: Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Another highlight of the Poznań Design Festival 2024, was Reset, an installation by Agata Kiedrowicz and the Vox Egoe collective. This space offered visitors a series of design objects and furniture, created by emerging designers, with a focus on mindfulness and self-care. The installation blended home-like warmth with artistic minimalism, inviting us to imagine a life where design serves as a tool for wellbeing. From subtle lighting to thoughtfully placed objects, each part of “Reset” encouraged a slower, more mindful interaction with our surroundings — an invitation to take a breather in everyday spaces.
Hands-On Workshops: Creativity for All Ages
The Poznań Design Festival’s workshops allowed participants of all ages to explore their creative sides in relaxed, playful ways. “The Machine of Doing Nothing” workshop led by Marta Maria Madej was a standout, inviting everyone to create whimsical cardboard structures with no specific goal other than to enjoy the act of making. Children and adults alike let their imaginations run wild, stacking, cutting, and painting pieces to form imaginative creations. It was a joyful experience, reminding us of the value of “doing nothing” and the way unstructured play can unlock our minds.
Another workshop highlight was Julia Kromolicka’s textile dyeing session, which taught participants about natural fabric dyeing techniques. Working with plants and dyes to create patterns on fabric was a peaceful, meditative experience, and each piece created carried the unique stamp of its maker’s hands and mood. It was a powerful way to see how traditional crafts can provide relaxation in today’s fast-paced world.
Student Mapping Project: Discovering Places of Respite in Poznań
This year’s festival included an innovative project led by architecture students from Poznań University of Technology. Guided by Bartosz Kaźmierczak, the students identified and mapped 54 locations along the Warta River where Poznań residents can pause and recharge. The project opened our eyes to hidden gems along the city’s riverbanks, from quiet alcoves perfect for solo reflection to spots ideal for social connection. Seeing the city’s potential for “Take a Breather” moments was an inspiring reminder of how small urban spaces can become sanctuaries.
At first, it felt like a bit of a ‘no-concept’ process. We went from defining what ‘taking a breather’ even means to finding and mapping those spaces ourselves. It was chaotic, but in the end, I found my own moment of rest within the whole journey—especially in piecing together all the insights from our team.
Says one of the Students who took part in the project.
Design Talks: Insights into Rest and Renewal
The Design Talks series at Poznań Design Festival offered an inspiring look into how design can foster rest and rejuvenation in our everyday lives. A favourite moment for many was Czesława Frejlich’s compelling presentation on the ten popular forms of rest and how intentional design can support these practices. Frejlich’s exploration included everything from creating serene reading nooks to spaces that foster connection with nature, emphasising the importance of accessibility and intention in restful design. She also discussed the risk of “commodifying rest” in our culture, urging designers to go beyond aesthetics and trends to create genuinely supportive environments.
Here are the ten popular forms of rest that Frejlich identified:
- Reading – Creating spaces like cosy chairs or secluded nooks for immersive, private moments.
- Spending time in nature – Incorporating greenery and outdoor settings to bring nature’s calming effects into urban spaces.
- Solitude – Designated spots for individual reflection, ideal for quiet breaks and personal recharge.
- Listening to music – Thoughtfully designed spaces with acoustic considerations to enhance the relaxing impact of music.
- Doing nothing – Areas where people can simply sit and relax, encouraging moments of inactivity without distraction.
- Walking – Paths and trails that promote wandering and mindfulness, allowing mental relaxation through physical movement.
- Hot baths or thermal experiences – Integrating wellness spaces like pools or spa-like areas where visitors can soak and unwind.
- Daydreaming – Quiet, uncluttered spaces that foster a free mind and stimulate creativity.
- Watching TV or visual media – Comfortable, ambient spaces for media consumption that allow people to unwind and disengage.
- Mindfulness practices – Spaces dedicated to meditation or breathing exercises, enhancing awareness and reducing stress.
The other speakers brought equally intriguing ideas to the table. Paweł Grobelny explored designing neighbourhood spaces that offer rest right at our doorstep, while Halszka Kontrymowicz-Ogińska discussed the critical role of sleep and even boredom in mental health. Finally, Jacek Kurczewski provided a sociological perspective, encouraging a view of rest as an essential human right.
The Design Talks left us with a profound sense of how our surroundings impact our ability to take a breather—and inspired ideas for shaping Poznań’s urban landscape into a restful haven for all.
LEPLAPTOP Concert: A Sonic Retreat at Scena Robocza
On Saturday evening, Scena Robocza at ul. Wroniecka 6 transformed into a meditative space for the LEPLAPTOP concert, a unique sound installation. Seated close to the floor, the audience was enveloped in a “restful” sound experience, as Paweł Opalczewski on acoustic guitar, Adam Knychaus on djembe, Jan Juszczak on beats and Julia Bartczak on voice and synthesiser deconstructed classical tones into “micro-sonic clouds.”
This collaborative performance used electronic granulation to create soft, ambient textures that aligned beautifully with the festival’s theme of taking a breather. LEPLAPTOP’s gentle waves of sound provided a magical close to a day of creativity, inviting us all to unwind and find a collective moment of calm.
Looking Forward: The Future of “Take a Breather”
The 11th edition of Poznań Design Festival offered unforgettable experiences, giving us new ways to view relaxation and rest in the city. With installations that ground us, workshops that spark creativity, and talks that reshape how we see our urban spaces, the festival encouraged us all to explore what it truly means to take a breather.
If you missed this year’s events, keep an eye out for next year’s edition, which promises more opportunities to relax, connect, and discover the many forms of “taking a breather” right here in Poznań. Join us for the next chapter of Poznań Design Festival and see how rest and reflection can become an integral part of urban life.
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