Villa Bagatti

VAKlab x Milan Design Week

VAKlab, the Belgian centre of expertise and service with a focus on craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and innovation, based in Bokrijk, made its début at Milan Design Week 2025. From 7 to 13 April, the garden of Villa Bagatti in Varedo was transformed into a spectacular pavilion in the shape of a wicker beehive, developed by Belgian designer Michaël Verheyden. Within the pavilion's organic shapes, visitors discovered five exclusive objects designed by Verheyden and crafted by Belgian artisans from the VAKlab community. With this installation focusing on local craftsmanship, VAKlab offered an answer to the urgent demand within the international design world for sustainable production and authentic design.

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makers

VAKlab x Local makers

Central to this project is the collaboration between Verheyden and the VAKlab artisans, which has resulted in a unique collection in which design and craftsmanship strengthen each another.

Michael Verheyden

VAKlab x Michaël Verheyden

Belgian designer Michaël Verheyden creates extraordinary objects for everyday rituals.

Milaan

VAKlab x Pavilion

The Bokrijk craftsmen are building a unique pavilion which references regional building traditions.

Vaklan x Vakmanschap

VAKlab x Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship today equates to quality, sustainability and respect for the environment, with age-old techniques and a reduced pace offering a response to the challenges of mass production and the future of design.

Vakmanschap textiel

Bokrijk x Craftsmanship

The Bokrijk domain is a major attraction in the province of Limburg. It showcases the craftsmanship of today, yesterday and tomorrow. 

Building the Pavilion

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