With the tenth edition of London’s busiest design district festival well and truly finished, it gives us an opportunity to reflect upon the festivities that made Clerkenwell Design Week 2019 the success that it was. With Clerkenwell Design Week 2019 attracting thousands of visitors across the EC1 area, the show provided a huge variety of attractions, including innovative products, captivating collections, informative talks and blinding sunshine, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Below is our pick of the bunch.

BDG Architecture + Design:

BDG were represented fantastically by its Chief Executive Officer (Gill Parker) and Chief Creative Officer (Colin Macgadie), with both joining panels of industry experts for two separate ‘Conversations at Clerkenwell’ events. Tuesday saw BDG’s Colin Macgadie and other industry specialists discuss how the culture of work has completely transformed in the last 10 years, with an emphasis on ‘future spaces, the way we’ll work’. On Wednesday Gill Parker joined a ‘Women in Office Design’ panel, alongside a number of accomplished female leaders who are making waves in the design world; the talk focused on the discussion of diversity, inclusion and the future of women in design.

 

Bene:

The unveiling of Bene’s newest product PIXEL saw its St John Street showroom transformed into a PIXEL playground. The almost infinite number of possible configurations of PIXEL enabled visiting design enthusiasts the opportunity to interact, design and create new environments as the showrooms ‘shapeshifted’ throughout the festival. There were other new additions to Bene’s ever-strengthening product portfolio with further inclusions to the award-winning STUDIO range, with the likes of the STUDIO Workbench, High and Side Tables and Backbone being part of its long-awaited UK reveal. A busy drinks reception on Tuesday evening caught the headlines as the highly acclaimed design event witnessed the possibilities of the PIXEL range.

Bisley:

The tenth year of Clerkenwell Design Week was appreciated by British manufacturers Bisley who also celebrated the first year anniversary of its flagship showroom with the launch of a number of new products and collaborations. From BOB, the first all-wood product by Bisley and Design Guild Mark winner, – to Be, the new dual aspect, creative solution that produces perfect combinations for a connected workplace. There were numerous reasons why the offices were busier than Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Bisley also played host to a programme of CDW events designed to stimulate discussion; with talks from Workhorse Founder, Alastair Badman and an interactive breakfast session with Craig Jones, Founder and Director of Jones & Partners. With both considered as two of the most captivating talks of the week.

By Bailey:

There were many reasons to smile at the By Bailey showroom this week due to celebrations on its newly formed partnership, with leading US furniture dealer InsideSource. The US-UK link was the inspiration behind a number of events and activities that pay homage to the existing pan-Atlantic relationship. Celebrations were furthered by the launch of the agile Townhall collection, a range of soft seating, tables and accessories that are movable but not mobile, manufactured by AllSteel and curated by the international design studio Rainlight. The collection includes the ‘Rock’ – the winner of a Design Guild Mark award.

 

Humanscale:

With Humanscale’s presence at this years show spanning to numerous locations it was difficult not to be immersed with its industry leading designs. The opportunity to discuss everything Humanscale was made possible at six different locations (Humanscale Showroom, Design Fields and beyond, Staverton, Bolon, Bisley, and Bene’s Showrooms). Each afternoon saw Humanscale host the ‘Humanscale Hour’, with 60-minute discussions around a variety of pertinent issues with a design and sustainability focus. There were guest appearances from Jo Ruxton and Martin Brown who hosted two separate talks; ‘Plastic Through the Camera Lens’ and ‘Introduction to Living Building Challenge and Declare.’

Knightsbridge:

It was great to be a part of Knightsbridge Furniture‘s 80th birthday celebrations. Its stand at Project (PA8) showcased the Coupe collection, which pays homage to the elegance of art deco with beautiful scallop detailing. Also on display was Caravelle, a soft-seating collection reminiscent of a past Knightsbridge mid-century collection that sits perfectly in modern workplaces and hospitality interiors.  The vibrant, eye-catching display was consistently packed full of visitors and we had lots of fun when entering the digital smartboard competition.

P.S our Donkey Kong skills were put to the test!

The Meeting Pod Co:

It was hard to not gaze over at the modular pods on display in awe this year. The Meeting Pod Company were returning to Clerkenwell Design Week with both its indoor and outdoor products on display. Located in Project (PB2) was the 4 person meeting pod, a great space for collaborative working, fitted with a new composite glass enclosure, demonstrating great acoustics and bespoke bolstered foam interior. Also on show, was the outdoor pod fitted with rubberised cork interior and solar-powered device charging facilities.

After attending The Meeting Pod Company breakfast on both Wednesday and Thursday we were revitalised and ready for the day ahead after having a great discussion on the pod’s innovative design.  

obo:

It was great to see obo at Haworth’s impressive St John Street showroom to support them in celebrating the new upholstery collection designed by powerhouse Patricia Urquiola, as well as its new seating ranges Bowi, Maari, Nia, Soji, SuperPouf and Riverband. An afternoon apertivo on Thursday afternoon was also delightful and we were extremely impressed with the range of furniture on display.

Office Blueprint:

Office Blueprint were in two locations during Clerkenwell Design Week. It’s stunning new Welltek showroom located at 26 Seward Street hosted several of its innovative products that highlight technology and wellness in the workplace. These include N.A.P, Naava Green Walls, Big Sky, and Framery. It also opened its doors to guests for a Gin Party on the Wednesday, which allowed hot topics such as employee wellbeing to be at the forefront of discussion.

Secondly, its stand at Design Fields allowed the industry-leading products to provide a solution to the key elements of employee wellbeing and further the debate as we scrutinise better ways to work.

Woven Image:

The material experts Woven Image had its award-winning acoustic material EchoPanel, and its Mura wallcovering, both made in part from post-use recycled PET, on display in the showrooms of writable glass innovators Clarus, as well as the newly refreshed Connection showroom. They were certainly impressive.

Everyone at Informare would like to extend our pleasantries to all of those that attended Clerkenwell Design Week’s 10th edition and helped make the show a roaring success. And best of luck to those that entered our #Perfect10 competition.

Same place, same time next year? See you there!

For further information contact Anna King.Â