Last month we had a look at one of the most vibrant events in Milan, Salone del Mobile. Now it is the time for London and its Clerkenwell Design Week. For those who has never heard of this event, it is a three day festival where designers around the world showcase their “creatures” (and of course there will be lot of canapes and drinks, no need to ask). Clerkenwell is a lovely part of London close to Farringdon Station where many striking design studios are based (and some lovely bars too!). Brilliant chances to see showrooms, chatty networking events, new design chairs and Scandinavian lighting, all in the right place.
But what we are going to have a look at is another interesting part of this event: The Fringe.
Local practices and businesses open their doors for the sake of Design and with a great sense of community and willing to share their experiences. Surely the best bit of this “underground” event is that these companies have been carefully selected depending on their offer. In fact, William Knight, Clerkenwell Design Week, Show Director confirmed that :
“This year we have a fantastic range of participants in the Fringe, that all contributes to the rich experience of visiting Clerkenwell during CDW, and is testament to the area’s creativity. The public spaces explored by CDW Presents act as vibrant embodiments of this creativity, to welcome visitors and to invite them to engage directly with one-off projects”.
So, finally, what are we going to experience this year, who is going to open their magic doors?
We have been exploring a bit the events held by ten selected practices and choose what is worth for us to have a look at.
If you are free Tuesday to Thursday and intrigued to look into different perspectives in architecture Ash Sakula Architects will welcome every night visitors and explain how to use space and connect to their surroundings, including a screening of ‘London Street Markets: Saving London’s Ancient Landmarks’.
Fun led workshop called ‘Be Our Architect Today’ and ‘Be Our Photographer‘ will be host by Hamiltons Architects also in order to celebrate their 45 years in practice.
Another interesting series of events will be held by the recently awarded practice Lipton Plant Architects: as a welcoming part they are going to happily receive people at their weekly and inspiring Design Review on Tuesday and last but not least following their philosophy of “We Make” they have worked on an event called “Building the Story”. The idea behind is to explain and tell a story of an evolving scheme reflecting the use of their distinctive Creative Strategy. The event will host also two artists Diana Taylor and Hermoine Allsopp who will exhibit some of their work in Lipton Plant’s headquarters and talk about their practices and they explore material.
During Clerkenwell Design Week, the Zaha Hadid Gallery will exhibit the “Seamless Collection” where design and architecture work together to melt complex curvilinear geometries with detailed ergonomic research. Plus there will be an evolving exhibition of architecture models which includes the Beijing New Airport Terminal Building and the studio’s latest product designs.
Going more into London “downtown” and if you feel more into the Punk movement, Metro Imaging will show a series of double portraits by Anita Corbin of girls in subcultures.
And if you have not been to Exmouth Market and to one of the most offbeat hairdresser Barber Streisand, well, the first advice would be, just go there. Plus there will be an exhibition original works from Manchester’s The Engine House, in their basement Monty’s Gallery.
So have you been taking notes? We are ready, are you? More to come.
