The collection originated from Philippe Decelle's private 'Plasticarium,' which he started in 1987.
The museum explores the shift of plastic from a revolutionary, high-tech material to a ubiquitous, environmentally debated commodity.
The collection includes iconic pieces like Joe Colombo’s 'Tube Chair' and Eero Aarnio’s 'Ball Chair'.
The building is located within the Heysel plateau area, which is historically significant for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair.
It maintains a focus on the specific material culture of the 20th and 21st centuries, rather than a broad survey of all design movements.
The Design Museum Brussels is defined by its Plasticarium collection, which tracks the evolution of plastic in design from 1950 to the present. It houses over 2,000 plastic objects, ranging from high-art furniture to mass-produced pop culture items. The museum explores the material's impact on domestic life, fashion, and industrial aesthetics across different decades. The collection was originally private, assembled by Philippe Decelle over several decades before becoming a public institution. The site also hosts temporary exhibitions focusing on contemporary design and graphic art. It operates as a research space dedicated to the history of materials and the sociology of design.
The central staircase area, which provides a clean, modern frame for the surrounding galleries.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Atomium, as they are part of the same architectural site.
Allocate time to examine the informational placards, which provide context on the chemical development of synthetic polymers.
Check the official website for rotating contemporary design exhibitions that occupy the lower levels.
Assuming the museum covers all historical design movements; it focuses strictly on plastic-based design.
Closed on Mondays.
No flash photography is allowed in specific sensitive exhibit areas; avoid touching the items on display.
