Get Ready for Clerkenwell Design Week 2019

Clerkenwell Design Week is the annual focus for London’s leading design district. Set across three days, 21 – 23 May 2019, the festival programme has been tailored to reflect the unique nature of this culturally rich area playing host to hundreds of showrooms, fringe events, talks, workshops and installations.

This year, CDW celebrates its 10th edition, taking up residency in one of London’s key hubs for design and architecture. From new designs by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Established & Sons to Fritz Hansen’s exhibition in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects and an outdoor cooking space serving food by Kitchen Architecture, CDW’s 10th edition is a show full of celebration and achievement.

Image courtesy of CDW

CDW PRESENTS

CDW Presents takes on its 10 year anniversary edition with exciting street spectacles, including Once Upon A Time in collaboration with UAL, in partnership with Landsdown’s London which takes inspiration from the rich and sometimes dark historical tales of Clerkenwell. For this initiative, CDW have collaborated with BA Graphic Design Communication students at Chelsea College of Arts to create a series of graphic installations inspired by the stories relating to the significant locations.

Scale Us. Image courtesy of CDW

In conjunction with the project, Lansdown’s London will be hosting historical walking tours during CDW exploring its past as a centre of making, from clock-makers to gin distillers. Winning designs by: Alistair Ramage - St James Church, Carrie Maxwell - Smithfield Market, Alba Skottowe - Farringdon Station, Rory Brown – Passing Alley, Maxim Cook - Passing Alley, Natasha Lopez - House of Detention and Woon Ko - Jerusalem Passage.

CDW will also present Decade, a dramatic trail of 10, three-metre-high candle-like beacons designed by pioneers within the creative industry, as well as confirmed collaborations with brands such as Hakwood and Parkside.

Decade. Image courtesy of CDW

WR-AP architecture studio in collaboration with Haines Watts will be creating an installation made from everyday objects inspired by the historic Clerk’s Well north of St. John’s Gate. Small. with support from WSP Design Studio will bring BottleHouse™ in Brewhouse Yard to CDW by designing sustainable shelters for those in need made from discarded plastic bottles washed up from the shore, creating a new circular economy within the plastic economy.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

CDW’s installation Reflect Us, created by artist Beau Kerouac intends to bridge gaps in society by confronting visitors with illuminated eyes etched onto 10 glass gateways, telling the stories of the homeless from our city streets.

Natasha Lopez, House of Detention. Image courtesy of CDW

For its fourth year, Scale Rule is back, engaging students from around London to create a concept which inspires visitors to take a moment and look up, by creating an arch within an arch in the historical location of St John’s Arch. This year’s winning concept plays with the idea of space and enclosure by subtly drawing on the historic form of St John’s Gate. The colour featured in the installation is created by using recycled materials and fabrics that reference the design culture that defines Clerkenwell today.

CONVERSATIONS AT CLERKENWELL

For CDW’s 10th anniversary, the Talks will take place in the Moth Pavilion designed by architect Pereen d'Avoine from Russian for Fish. A vast canopy of recycled fabric will evoke the wings of a moth hovering over Spa Fields Park.

Moth Pavilion. Image courtesy of CDW

Conversations at Clerkenwell, curated by Katie Richardson, brings to life topics of the day with leading and emerging designers, architects, thought leaders and creative institutes. Among the highlights for 2019 are a workplace panel including Sebastian Wrong and Erwan Bouroullec, in conjunction with Established and Son’s installation for CDW, discussing how good design can shape the workplace of the future. Benjamin Hubert joins Max Fraser for a chat on his latest collaborations across the CDW event. New London Architecture showcase some outstanding work for an ongoing public housing project, OnOffice will host a panel session of design-innovators making a difference to wellness in the workplace.

POP UP SHOWROOMS AND WORKSPACES

For Clerkenwell’s 10th anniversary, a plethora of exciting pop up showrooms and workspaces will take place during the festival. Established & Sons will take up residency in Fora to launch four new designs including The GRID SOFA by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, the KD TABLE and BEAM TABLE by Konstantin Grcic and the LUCIO CHAIR by Sebastian Wrong.

KI Pop Up Showroom. Ph. by Peter Clark_NEW IDEAS

Fritz Hansen will be collaborating with Zaha Hadid Architects to showcase aspects of their Heritage Exhibition, whilst Relay Design Agency will present + Halle, Baux, Orsjo, Mitab and Zeitram within a fashion house on Clerkenwell Road. KI, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of workplace and education furniture will take over an architectural gem in the centre of the festival site. The pop-up showroom at the landmark Paxton Locher House on Clerkenwell Green will be transformed into ‘KI House’ for the launch of several new UK-designed & manufactured products.

SHOWROOMS

Integral to the festival are the local resident design showrooms, many of whom partner with CDW, providing an array of stimulating events from talks and workshops to major installations.

Sequel by Alusid at Parkside. Image courtesy of CDW

New showrooms will will include Optelma, Vescom, Fredericia, Workstories, Duravit, Abstracta, Piemme Industrie Ceramiche S.P.A, Haiken Ltd, Savile Row Projects, Parkside and JPMA Global. New Clerkenwell resident, Fredericia will officially launch new pieces by Jens Risom, Danish American designer, in the UK for the first time during CDW. Award-winning British luxury lighting brand Bert Frank will open its first showroom in EC1. Parkside, the design-led tile specification company will be launching Sequel by Alusid, a sustainable range featuring 98% recycled content. Danish carpet brand Ege will showcase new additions to their Industrial Landscape collection, created in collaboration with world renowned interior designer, Tom Dixon.

EXHIBITIONS

CDW’s exhibitions are hosted in distinctive spaces around the area linked by a route running through the centre of EC1. There are seven exhibitions, each with a different curatorial focus, ranging from cutting edge international design, to emerging talent, lighting, luxury interiors and the best of British design.

John and Sylvia Reid, British Collection. Image courtesy of CDW

Now in its fourth year, British Collection will be located in the Crypt of St James’s Church. Situated at the northern end of Clerkenwell, Design Fields will host a busy hub, showcasing leading furniture, textiles and product design from all around the world, from kitchens to bathrooms to the workplace. Back by popular demand, Light will showcase the top international lighting brands located within the brick vaults of fabric, the former cold-store turned nightclub.

Atelje Lyktan, Vault Node Rod, Light. Image courtesy of CDW

Elements brings together a leading selection of ironmongery, hardware, switch plates and architectural accessories within a street-market style pavilion on St John’s Square, becoming a go-to destination for designers looking for the perfect final finish. Detail at The Order of St. John reflects principles of fine craftsmanship and high glamour, showcasing the most prestigious names in luxury interiors.

Roar, Platform. Image courtesy of CDW

Arte x Moooi, Extinct Animals Collection, Detail. Image courtesy of CDW

Hosted within the subterranean depths of The House of Detention, Platform showcases exciting up-and-coming design talent in the historic surroundings of this former remand prison. This is a rare opportunity for the public to explore part of London’s infamous history. Launched in 2016, Project’s first outing was so successful it was extended to cover two linked pavilions for Clerkenwell Design Week 2017 and will be even bigger for 2019. Set in the Garden of St James within the beautiful grounds of Clerkenwell’s parish church, Project brings together a leading selection of flooring companies from modulyss to Gerflor.

Ebb & Flow, Light. Image courtesy of CDW

FRINGE ACTIVITES

As well as hosting an abundance of furniture and interiors showrooms, Clerkenwell is also home to a variety of other creative practices including architects, branding agencies and craft studios. In celebration of CDW’s 10th anniversary, a selection of 25 of these local practices, including London Metropolitan Archives and Patrick Lewis Architects will throw open their doors to the festival’s visitors and host workshops, displays and installations.

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Cover Image Alistair Ramage, St James Church. Image courtesy of CDW