Dutch Design Week is intended to be a celebration of “Dutch Design” writ large: Not by designers who happen to be born and raised in the Netherlands but rather those who work with a distinctly concept-, process-, or material-driven approach that underlies nearly all of the thousands of projects that collectively represent Dutch Design. Between the Graduation Show at the Design Academy Eindhoven to the family-friendly activities in Strijp-S, the larger, more concentrated venues duly draw the most visitors.

But beyond the tentpole events and design districts, DDW veterans and more dedicated visitors may well stumble upon hidden gems that are figuratively but not literally off-the-beaten-path. From the new Kazerne space to the beautifully raw Gasfabriek and even Philips Stadium, the city center is home to a number of permanent galleries and established event spaces — all within easy walking distance of the train station, as well as the academy itself — that rewarded those who were willing to explore.

Disclosure: The Design Academy being the sun around which Dutch Design orbits, I will mention once again that I am currently a student there.