Design Museum Brussels

About the museum

The museum is a project launched and developed by the Atomium. Since 2015 it has presented the Plastic Design Collection, built up from 1987 by collector Philippe Decelle, who started with a Universale chair by Joe Colombo rescued from a rubbish bin. The museum acquired the collection in 2014.

In September 2020 it opened Belgisch Design Belge, a permanent space devoted to design in Belgium, from Art Nouveau to contemporary creation, conceived as a laboratory for storytelling and presentation. The layout is by Lhoas & Lhoas Architectes, with Vitra furniture and Delta Light luminaires.

The museum approaches twentieth-century design up to the present day as a reflection of economic, social, ideological, cultural and technical change. It organises temporary exhibitions as well as cultural and educational programmes, in an inclusive and accessible spirit.

Highlights

• The Plastic Design Collection: around 500 plastic pieces on display, out of some 2,000 held in the collection
• Universale chair by Joe Colombo, the starting point of the collection
• Visible storage arranged by material (PVC, ABS, PC)
• Belgisch Design Belge: Belgian design from Art Nouveau to today
• Marmaille&Co play bags for children aged 6 to 12

Permanent exhibitions

• The Plastic Design Collection – Design and plastic from the 1960s to today: around 500 pieces on display, plus visible storage arranged by material.
• Belgisch Design Belge – The history of design in Belgium, from Art Nouveau to contemporary creation, told through designers, companies, publishers and places of promotion.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Atomium

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month (permanent exhibitions only)

Also free for ICOM members and holders of the museumPASSmusées or the Brussels Card. Pupils and accompanying adults from schools of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles have free access to the permanent exhibitions. €2 discount with the ULB Culture card. With a ticket bought online, 40% discount on a second-class return train journey to Brussels on the day of the visit (SNCB code shown on the ticket).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Lift, and no architectural barriers. The museum holds the Access-i label (accessibility sheet on access-i.be).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family visits with playful materials: a foldable booklet called “Cocotte” and Marmaille&Co play bags (free on request at reception, mainly for ages 6 to 12). Birthday parties for ages 6 to 12 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (3 hours, up to 15 children, €250, booked at least 3 weeks in advance). Courses, family days and workshops: see the agenda.

Getting there & parking

The museum is opposite Palais 5, about 150 m from the Atomium. Villo bike station no. 281 is about 30 m away, on boulevard du Centenaire.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop is open every day from 11:15 to 18:30.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit