D-LAB

The Bauhaus Design Laboratory (D–LAB) is a place of research and exchange — and, in particular, of cross-disciplinarity and internationality. It brings together a wide variety of approaches from design, engineering, and cultural studies, focusing on both theoretical-critical and experimental-empirical processes of exploration and inquiry. Of particular importance is to leverage iterative, creative processes through research-through-design approaches, and, ultimately, to generate new knowledge and transformative outcomes. This includes fields such as, for example, digital epistemology, algorithmic materiality, computerized human-centered design, distributed authorship, artificial intelligence, user experience, creative robotics, etc. The D–LAB – which is located directly on the main campus of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar – has state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology (including robotic arms, 3D printers, and CNC milling machines) at its disposal and offers workplaces for young researchers.

At the same time, the lab serves as an outreach and interaction platform where current research endeavors and results in design research are presented and entered into dialogue with society. To this end, the lab cooperates with numerous other academic institutions and cultural organizations, and provides a platform for exploring the (very) different futures of design – and the social, technological, and scientific interactions and practices associated with.

D–LAB was implemented in 2025/2026 and is operated by the Chair of Design Theory/Design Research.