Curated by the editors of Dwell Magazine, Dwell Media’s annual flagship event Dwell on Design kicked off last week welcoming nearly 4,000 designers over the course of the three days, October 9-11. Attendees took part in conversations about New York design with industry experts and thought leaders in fields that spanned from architecture to transit to hospitality.

“One of our esteemed presenters commented that the discussion areas were like blogs, because blogs are like conversations—very approachable,” said Dwell President and CEO Michela O’Connor Abrams. “I just love that. It means we were successful.”

Dwell on Design's first New York edition

Dwell on Design NY took a modified approach from its West Coast counterpart, becoming a place for movers and shakers of the design, landscape, architecture and civic communities to get together, exchange ideas and address important issues rapidly evolving in New York. Onstage programs covered subjects such as healthy architecture, office design, and the architecture of loss.

“The impetus for Dwell on Design NY was to continue conversations about important topics like resiliency, innovation, transit and public spaces and to do it in a way that was approachable and created opportunities for discussion,” said Abrams. “Together with installations from 18 world-class brands, the first Dwell on Design NY was a resounding success.”

Dwell on Design NY panel discussion

Highlights from the event included a presentation by architect Daniel Libeskind, who relayed his design history from early building influences to his own one-of-a-kind drawings; a presentation by Caroline Baumann who shared a sneak peek into the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum’s $91 million renovation; and the Dwell store, where designers could browse and shop product directly from the show.

Dwell on Design culminated with a celebration and presentation of the second annual Dwell Vision Award, which was presented to Architecture for Humanity in recognition of its 15 years of humanitarian service, innovation within the design community and vision for the future.

Dwell on Design NY's ASID booth

“Receiving the Dwell Vision Award on behalf of Architecture for Humanity was an amazing honor, as was being able to partner with Dwell Media on this amazing event,” said Executive Director Eric Cesal. “Dwell on Design celebrates all the ways in which design improves lives—an ideal for which Architecture for Humanity has stood all along.”

“The feedback from attendees was equally validating, they were excited to be able to talk with leaders in the industry and interact with these special brands,” said Abrams. “We’re keeping the momentum going and are already busy planning what’s in store for 2015.”