MEDIA 26.09: Business News
Thank you to Ella Loneragan and Business News WA for covering our Perth Design Week 2027 announcements. Copy of the story, and link to online version, below.
Perth Design Week will return for a fifth year in 2027, with an even bigger program to celebrate the industry in Western Australia.
Behind the scenes is Perth architect and former City of Perth councillor Sandy Anghie, now PDW chair and creative director, who founded the event with Design Institute of Australia chair David Smith in 2022.
The purpose of design week was to bring together design professionals to share their knowledge and ideas, in response to a growing public interest in design.
PDW grew from 50 events at its inception to more than 90 in 2025, attracting more than 55,000 people.
This year, the event ran at a smaller scale, as Ms Anghie prepared to launch larger programs in the years to come and it received a $100,000 boost from the state government to raise the profile of the event.
She told Business News PDW 2027 would be on par with that growth trajectory, with eight days of talks, exhibitions, open houses and events from March 11 to 18.
Ms Anghie said PDW planned to run events throughout the year and still had some to come before the end of 2026.
“Four years ago, Perth Design Week did not exist,” Ms Anghie said.
“A few of us were watching from afar design weeks across the globe.
“We saw the importance of these festivals to a city: to showcase local talent, boost creative commerce, and foster collaboration and community.
“Now we have our own – with thanks to the Perth design community who built the stage with us."
Having been on board with PDW since its inception, Curtin University has become a major sponsor of the event for 2027.
Joining the university as major sponsors are Ligne Roset Perth and Cult for the second time, while Jardan is making its debut in 2027 as a major sponsor.
H-U and Urbis, Argent Australia, Castledex, Loam, Spacio and Temple Fine Rugs make up the event’s other supporters.
“With growing support since its launch in October 2022, PDW is transforming from a grassroots initiative into a powerhouse public festival, bringing together a broad range of design disciplines, and bridging the gap between industry and community here in WA. We look forward to celebrating our fifth year in 2027,” Ms Anghie said.
PDW also recently appointed 20 people to its inaugural Student Advisory Committee for program next year.
“Placing a specific focus on elevating emerging youth talent, this will be the first year we are working with our newly-established PDW Student Advisory Committee on programming,” Ms Anghie said.
“Young people are the future and they have always been a part of PDW.
“Now they will take on a leadership role.”
The 2027 festival will return to the Liberty Theatre, State Buildings and WA Museum Boola Bardip, but its annual exhibition will be moving locations.
For the first time, PDW’s major exhibition – opening in December this year – will be held in the main building of the WA Museum.
Working alongside Ms Anghie to pull the event together is program and curatorial consultant Amy Clark and communications and media consultant Fiona Kalaf, while Block Branding’s Mark Braddock and Jack McAuliffe are leading PDW’s branding for the fifth year.
Also on the board is Juliana Torres, Reinette Roux and Andree McIntyre.
The program will be launched in February next year.