World Design Congress 2025: A Barbican Business Events Case Study

The Barbican was chosen for its central London location and excellent public transport links, its ability to host a 1,000-delegate plenary alongside multiple breakout spaces, and its well-established commitment to sustainability. The selection was also a natural fit: the Design Council had been appointed to provide design advice on the Barbican Renewal Programme, making the venue a meaningful and aligned partner for an event of this ambition.

The campus layout proved central to the Congress's success. As Matthew Burgess, Senior Events Manager at the Design Council, noted: "The Barbican's unique layout was pivotal in maintaining the event's high energy, facilitating a seamless transition between plenary sessions, interactive hives, and networking hubs, allowing delegates to explore all aspects of what the Barbican has to offer whilst engaging with the Congress content."

From early planning stages, the Barbican collaborated closely with the Design Council, production partner Stitch (powered by Connection Crew CIC), and catering partner Searcys. The shared goal was to treat sustainability not as an add-on, but as a governing framework running through every operational and editorial decision.

Delivery priorities included smooth delegate flow across the Barbican's multi-space campus, a hybrid setup that broadened global reach without increasing the on-site footprint, and sustainability woven into staging, catering, travel guidance, supplier selection and public engagement.

Burgess reflected: "The Barbican team helped us to bridge the gap between strategy and execution, helping us translate our sustainability framework into practical, visible choices. This collaborative approach ensured our mission was woven into the very fabric of the delegate experience."

Circular production

Working with Stitch, the Congress adopted circular production methods throughout. Re-board technology – a lightweight, fully recyclable alternative to conventional build materials – was used prominently for staging, reducing material use by up to around 70% through optimised design and cutting. Reusable Bematrix frame installations created adaptable thematic and sponsor-led spaces across the venue.

Food and beverage

Searcys delivered a fully vegetarian menu, vegan where possible, designed to minimise both carbon and waste. Oat milk was offered as the default option, hydration stations reduced single-use plastic, and detailed forecasting kept leftovers to a minimum. Any remaining food was processed into biofuel and fertiliser. Produce was seasonal and locally sourced where possible, with airfreight avoided entirely.

"Design for Planet gave us the opportunity to prove a fully vegetarian menu can be exciting at conference scale," said Brian Martin, General Manager at Searcys. "Through detailed forecasting and responsible surplus processing, we reduced waste while keeping service fast, warm and guest-focused."

Travel and carbon

A carbon calculator was integrated into the delegate registration process, supported by communications promoting low-impact travel and ESG-reviewed accommodation recommendations. Coinciding with London Design Festival, the Congress also encouraged delegates to extend their stay through a wider Design Safari programme, maximising the value of each journey to London.

Measured impact

Total event carbon was calculated at approximately 5.2 tonnes – compared with an average of 17 tonnes referenced for events of this size. A £3,575 donation via Stripe Climate Action funded the removal of 13 tonnes of CO₂.

The Barbican's identity as a public cultural campus helped make the Congress open and visible beyond its delegate list. Academic papers and posters were displayed in semi-public areas, allowing members of the public to engage alongside registered attendees. Wayfinding improvements and design-led signage supported both delegate journeys and wider public discovery.

Online access was a significant inclusion lever. AI-powered closed captions were translated into more than 60 languages for the live stream, with up to 28 languages active simultaneously at peak. Online passes were priced at £5 to widen global participation, and student passes were set well below standard rates. University partnerships also enabled students to access content through their institutions.

The Congress delivered both global reach and lasting sector impact. Senior government and agency representatives attended across both days, and the Department for Business and Trade hosted a networking reception for international companies and design leaders. Among main suppliers – representing 67% of total event spend – 64% were SMEs and 34% were certified diverse-owned businesses.

For the Barbican, World Design Congress 2025 reinforced our reputation as a venue where creativity, technical expertise and genuine sustainability delivery come together. It also demonstrated the strong alignment between client ambition and the Barbican Renewal Programme – our ongoing investment in improving building systems, reducing energy demand and retaining materials – so that future events can be delivered with even greater inclusivity and reduced environmental impact.

Charlie Smith, Deputy Head of Sales at the Barbican, summed it up: "World Design Congress was a landmark moment for the Barbican: a complex multi-space event delivered with clarity, creativity and care. It also showed how our campus and Renewal ambitions align with clients who want accessibility and sustainability to be measurable, not just promised."