Clerkenwell Design Week 2022 highlights
After a two year hiatus, CDW returns this week (Tuesday 24th - Thursday 26th May). With a jam-packed calendar of events, talks and installations, we’ve curated some highlights that are not to be missed!
Talks
There is an impressive talks programme at this year’s CDW, curated by Katie Richardson. Conversations at Clerkenwell are a series of daily talks that will explore a range of topics, drawing upon insight and opinion from leading creatives and business insiders and established and emerging designers.
As CDW coincides with the opening of the Elizabeth line, we’re particularly looking forward to hearing from Jorrin ten Have from Grimshaw – the lead architecture practice for the new line as he gives an overview of the project with a focus on its line-wide design identity. Don’t miss this at 11 am on Thursday 26th at Design Fields.
Image credit: Nicholas Worley
In other exciting news, our client, bathroom brassware brand, Coalbrook, will partner with the critically acclaimed podcast, Material Matters, to deliver a panel discussion on The Future of Materials at its experience-led showroom, The Market Building (72 - 82 Rosebery Ave, London, EC1R 4RW).
On Tuesday 24th May, from 4:30 pm, the discussion will explore the sourcing, collaboration, and role of materials in the showroom and the broader question of how materials will shape our future. Material Matters host, Grant Gibson, will chair a discussion between Amin Taha, architect, materials expert and Chairman of Groupwork, Na Li, architect and Managing Director of Holloway Li and Annabelle Cox, CEO of Tensei, a biomaterials tech company.
Installations
This year’s wayfinding has been designed by multidisciplinary artist, Lois O’Hara, to help visitors navigate around the event. Lois is also collaborating with OnOffice magazine to design exterior murals for a series of installations, ‘OnOffice Curates’, which will feature across EC1, so keep your eyes peeled.
OnOffice is also partnering with plant and biophilic design specialist, Plant Designs to deliver a creative installation, Plant.Nurture.Bloom. This immersive installation will create a jungle oasis within the bustling heart of the city for visitors to take a moment of calm by sitting amongst the greenery, and taking time to reflect on the wealth of benefits that nature brings to modern life.
Acoustic experts, Texaa, will present two innovative acoustic spaces to allow visitors to explore the impact of architecture in acoustics through a sound experience that demonstrates how sound influences our perception of space. Texaa’s experts are also hosting a series of special events designed to explore the fundamental importance of acoustics in architecture – including a Classical Coffee every morning and Soul Sound Session every afternoon.
New launches
This year for CDW, our client, sustainable design brand, Bolon is launching its Truly rug collection. Featuring enlarged patterns, colour effect and hyper texture, Truly was shaped by the creative vision of the five women who make up the design team. The collection will be displayed at the brand’s Clerkenwell showroom throughout CDW.
On Tuesday 24th from 5 pm, there is a unique opportunity to meet two of the visionary designers behind the collection, Bolon CCO and CEO, Annica and Marie Eklund for a celebratory glass of champagne and nibbles.
Further recommendations
There are Upcycling Demonstrations running too (77a Charterhouse Street) by the members of the House of Upcycling - details here.
Image credit: A Space to Glow
And finally, don’t miss Light + Rising Stars at 12 Sans Walk, EC1R 0AS. Held within the subterranean House of Detention, the former Victorian prison will showcase an array of leading international lighting brands and spectacular stand-alone installations, whilst shining a light (clever!) on new brands/ designers starting to make waves within the industry.
Get in touch and let us know what you’ll be visiting and attending this week for CDW. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
And if you’re an exhibitor, read our top social media tips here.
