For its 11th iteration, this year Clerkenwell Design Week is packed with new developments, events and installations. The city of London and the talents appearing in this international showcase set out to revive the debate and focus on design, after two years of inevitable stoppage.
The three-day program takes place from 24 to 26 May through a distributed event in one of the city’s leading design districts.
Part of the Islington area, Clerkenwell has always been dynamic, with a long tradition of creative enterprise – ever since the Industrial Revolution, it has hosted crafts workshops, printers, clockmakers and jewelers. Its heritage is reflected today by over 100 design brands that have set up showrooms, and over 200 architecture firms with offices in the zone. All of them are active participants in Clerkenwell Design Week, in coordination with an exceptional calendar of events, talks, workshops and installations.
The central location is Spa Fields, the park that hosts “Conversations at Clerkenwell” (with a special set-up designed for the occasion by Fieldwork Architects): coordinated by Katie Richardson, this series focuses on the main emerging themes of the sector, thanks to the remarks of designers, architects and creative institutions: New London Architecture, Jonas Pettersson from the Swedish studio Form us With Love, Benchmark together with Trifle*, BIID are just some of the names on the panels, which will discuss sustainability, the future of design, urban architecture, wellbeing, workplaces, emerging talents and much more.
From the city to exhibition spaces. Over 125 showrooms open their doors to professionals, not just to present new products. The many brands include Arper with its first collection of wooden seating (Mixu and Kata), Andreu World with a focus on sustainability and circular design through the creations of Patricia Urquiola, Benjamin Hubert and Philippe Starck; Ethimo with outdoor lounge seating, and Morgan Furniture in its debut; while Fritz Hansen and Orangebox take the opportunity to celebrate – respectively – their 150th and 20th anniversaries.
The 2022 edition will include ten exhibition venues, including three new ones: Covered for surfaces, Contract for the latest offerings in commercial interiors, and the show at St John’s Gate produced by ITA – Italian Trade Agency and the association Ceramics of Italy.
Other destinations not to be missed include the Crypt of St. James’ Church hosting the British Collection; Design Fields, displaying excellence in design with various types of furnishings and textiles; the House of Detention, which hosts the installation Light + Rising Stars for leading lighting brands; and Detail at The Order of St. John, featuring the protagonists of the luxury sector with their refined craftsmanship.
In this wider setting, finally, the Danish brand Hay will present its outdoor creations in The Long Walk, part of the Crypt on the Green; and Porsche, sponsor of the event, will be on hand with its Taycan inside an interactive installation.
The immersive experience of the BAUX House of Acoustics permits discovery of the innovative products of BAUX in the field of acoustic paneling, while offering a location for talks and musical events.
