Light is not merely a practical element of the interior at this year’s DesignBlok. It has become the central theme through which contemporary design meets architecture, craftsmanship and emotion. The 28th edition of DesignBlok takes place from 7 to 11 October 2026, with Light as its main theme. The festival explores light as one of the key elements shaping the way we perceive space, materials and architecture itself.
This atmosphere is also reflected in an installation at the Volman Villa, where contemporary glass design meets one of the remarkable examples of Czech Functionalist architecture. The glass lighting pieces are more than individual design objects. They interact with the space through reflections, transparency, intensity and scale, demonstrating how lighting can influence the character of an entire interior.
Light as Part of the Interior
Contemporary interiors have long moved beyond viewing lighting as merely a practical necessity. A lamp can become a striking statement piece, an artistic object or an element that defines the atmosphere of an entire room.
The new lighting collection by František Jungvirt responds to this shift, drawing on the organic forms of his glass objects. Familiar curves are enlarged and given a new function. A decorative object becomes a source of light, while individual pieces can also be combined into larger lighting compositions.
This opens up a wide range of possibilities for interiors. A single light can serve as a distinctive feature above a dining table, in a bedroom or reading corner. On a larger scale, individual pieces can be arranged into cascading installations suitable for hotel lobbies, high-end residences or commercial spaces.
When Glass Works with Light
Glass has a unique relationship with light. It can transmit, diffuse, reflect and transform it. These qualities are central to the new lighting objects.
The collection explores several different treatments of glass – from subtle earthy tones and matte and glossy surfaces to rich ruby hues. Form is not merely decorative; it influences the way light moves through the space and the atmosphere the object creates.
Each piece is created using traditional glassmaking techniques. The glass is hand-blown into wooden moulds before being ground, frosted or polished. Every object is then completed with a custom-made metal structure.
The result is a combination of traditional craftsmanship and a contemporary approach to interior lighting.
The Volman Villa as an Ideal Setting
The Volman Villa in Čelákovice was chosen as the setting for the presentation of František Jungvirt’s lighting objects. This distinctive example of Czech Functionalist architecture from the interwar period creates an intriguing contrast with the contemporary glass pieces.
The villa’s minimalist architecture allows both light and material to stand out, while highlighting the importance of the relationship between lighting and the building itself. Here, light does more than illuminate the space – it becomes part of it.
This kind of dialogue between contemporary design and architecture is one of the highlights of this year’s DesignBlok.
DesignBlok 2026: Prague in Light
The theme of light runs throughout this year’s festival programme. From 7 to 11 October, DesignBlok brings together contemporary product and interior design, architecture, technology and traditional craftsmanship.
The festival’s main locations span several parts of Prague, from the Trade Fair Palace and Prague Castle to the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Industrial Palace. The programme includes exhibitions, installations, brand presentations and projects exploring light from a variety of perspectives.
Alongside new technologies and contemporary lighting, this year’s edition highlights one simple yet fundamental idea: light profoundly influences the way we experience a space.
It can soften or dramatise an interior, make it appear larger or create a sense of intimacy. Combined with glass, it gains another dimension, allowing the material to capture, filter and transform light.
Light That Remains
The installation at the Volman Villa will remain on view until 31 October 2026 as part of the villa’s guided tours. The lighting objects will then move to a Prague showroom before being presented internationally at Maison & Objet in Paris in January 2027.
This year’s DesignBlok demonstrates that light is about far more than function. In contemporary interiors, it has become a fully-fledged design element capable of connecting architecture, material, atmosphere and everyday life.
And perhaps that is where its greatest power lies: sometimes, all it takes is a change of light to make the same space feel completely different.
