# Event Details - **Event Name**: The Material That Connects - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 20 Nov, 2025 at 06:00 pm – Thu, 20 Nov, 2025 at 08:00 pm - **Event Description**: Where Merenda, TU Dublin, and ALPI wood meet to inspire design – Exhibition 17–21 Nov, Panel discussion Thu 20 Nov, 18:00–20:00 — Free EventAbout this EventThe Ties That Tie, and the Links That Link: A Student–Industry Collaboration in DesignAs part of Irish Design Week 2025, TU Dublin and Merenda present a panel discussion and exhibition celebrating collaboration between students, educators, and industry.In response to this year’s theme, “The ties that tie, and the links that link”, TU Dublin students were challenged with a real-world brief: to design seating or accessories for a new Dublin café called Link. The project asked students to integrate sustainability, functionality, and storytelling into their prototypes, while drawing inspiration from the café’s name as a symbol of connection.To support this process, students worked with ALPI veneer, a material developed with international designers that bridges tradition and innovation, craft and technology, and local practice with global design. As both a surface and a symbol, the veneer offered an ideal medium for exploring how material-driven design can foster connections across disciplines, generations, and cultures.The panel will bring together:Students, presenting their creative journeys and prototypesAcademic mentors, reflecting on the learning and design processMerenda, sharing how industry partnerships can open new opportunitiesGuest voices from the wider design communityTogether, they will explore:How young designers interpret themes of connection in their workThe role of veneer material in storytelling, linking craft, sustainability, and innovationWhy collaborations between education and industry matter for the future of Irish designHow Ireland’s design community can engage with international Partnership? Location: TU Dublin, Grangegorman? Date: Thursday 20th November, 6–8pm?️ Admission: Free and open to allJoin us for an engaging discussion and exhibition showcasing how the next generation of Irish designers are building creative links across disciplines, cultures, and communities — with their ideas brought to life through innovative use of ALPI veneer.Agenda?: 01:00 PM - 07:00 PMMonday, 17th November : Exhibition opens (drop-in viewing)?: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PMTuesday – Thursday, 18th – 20th November : Exhibition open for drop-in visitor?: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PMThursday , 20th November: Panel DiscussionInfo: Guest panel of design professionals, TU Dublin lecturers, Merenda & ALPI representative. Discussion on student projects, material exploration, and the theme “The ties that tie, and the links that link”?: 10:00 AM - 01:00 PMFriday, 21st November: Final day of exhibition, open to visitorsInfo: 13:00: Event closes - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/dublin-7/the-material-that-connects/100001754114887849 - **Event Categories**: art, exhibitions, business, fine-arts, storytelling - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: EUR ## Event venue details - **city**: Dublin 7 - **state**: DN - **country**: Ireland - **location**: TU Dublin, East Quad - **lat**: 53.3537274 - **long**: -6.2792177 - **full address**: TU Dublin, East Quad, Grangegorman Lower, Dublin 7, Ireland ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: The Material That Connects - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/f3bb40548ad9d6b3f42670750c8763d7b8c882b68edd9e78e5e1dbe671acef3b-rimg-w1200-h849-dc8e8d8d-gmir.jpg?v=1761964751 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is The Material That Connects being held? - **A:** The Material That Connects takes place on Thu, 20 Nov, 2025 at 06:00 pm to Thu, 20 Nov, 2025 at 08:00 pm at TU Dublin, East Quad, Grangegorman Lower, Dublin 7, Ireland. - **Q**: Who is organizing The Material That Connects? - **A:** The Material That Connects is organized by Merenda Ltd. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** The Material That Connects is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Dublin 7, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If The Material That Connects sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "The Material That Connects", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/f3bb40548ad9d6b3f42670750c8763d7b8c882b68edd9e78e5e1dbe671acef3b-rimg-w1200-h849-dc8e8d8d-gmir.jpg?v=1761964751", "startDate": "2025-11-20", "endDate": "2025-11-20", "url": "https://allevents.in/dublin-7/the-material-that-connects/100001754114887849", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "TU Dublin, East Quad", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Grangegorman Lower", "postalCode": "D07 XFF2", "addressLocality": "Dublin 7", "addressRegion": "DN", "addressCountry": "IE" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "53.3537274", "longitude": "-6.2792177" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Where Merenda, TU Dublin, and ALPI wood meet to inspire design – Exhibition 17–21 Nov, Panel discussion Thu 20 Nov, 18:00–20:00 — Free Event", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-27", "availabilityEnds": "2025-11-20", "validFrom": "2026-04-27", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/dublin-7/the-material-that-connects/100001754114887849" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/dublin-7/the-material-that-connects/100001754114887849", "price": 0, "name": "General Admission" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Merenda Ltd", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/merenda-ltd/26990543", "description": "Merenda is an Irish family business, established in 1984 in North Leitrim. With over 40 years of experience, we are dedicated to crafting high-quality wood veneer component products for designers and makers." } ] } ] ```