Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde is a creative thinker and maker of social designs that explore the relationship between people, nature, technology, and space. He founded Studio Roosegaarde in 2007, where he works with his team of designers and engineers towards a better future. Together, they develop ‘Landscapes of... Read more
Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde is a creative thinker and maker of social designs that explore the relationship between people, nature, technology, and space. He founded Studio Roosegaarde in 2007, where he works with his team of designers and engineers towards a better future. Together, they develop ‘Landscapes of the Future,’ building smart, sustainable prototypes for the cities of tomorrow.
Roosegaarde has been inspired by nature’s wonders, such as light-emitting fireflies and jellyfish, since an early age. His fascination with nature and technology is evident in his iconic projects, including “SPARK,” biodegradable fireworks designed for sustainable celebrations; “Van Gogh Path,” a bicycle path that charges during the day and illuminates at night; the “Smog Free Project,” the largest outdoor air purifier; and Space Waste Lab, which aims to upcycle space debris.
Roosegaarde states: “I don’t believe in a utopia; I believe in a protopia: a prototype world that we are improving step by step. We do not know what the future looks like or what challenges it entails. What we do know is that there is no way back. If we do not invest in new ideas, we will die. We are all part of the prototype. Let us not be afraid, but be curious and work together.”
Roosegaarde graduated from The Berlage Institute with a master’s degree in architecture. He is a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, a visiting professor at several universities, and has been recognized by Forbes and Good 100 as a creative change-maker. He was named Artist of the Year 2016 in The Netherlands.
He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Shenzhen Global Design Award, Ethics Ethical Award, World OMOSIROI Award Japan, Dezeen Award, London Design Innovation Medal, DFA Gold and Grand Award Hong Kong, LIT 2017 Lighting Designer of the Year Award, D&AD Awards 2017, the World Technology Award, two Dutch Design Awards, the Charlotte Köhler Award, and China’s Most Successful Design Award. Roosegaarde’s work has been exhibited at the Design Museum London, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, Tate Modern, Tokyo National Museum, Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris, Victoria & Albert Museum, and various public spaces around the world. He frequently shares his visionary ideas at conferences such as TED, the World Economic Forum, and NASA. Recently, a new monograph of Daan Roosegaarde was published by Phaidon.