Clerkenwell Design Week: latest highlights from EC1 this week

The eleventh edition of Clerkenwell Design Week returned to London on the 24th of May until 26th of May, 2022. After a two-year hiatus, the design event took over the capital’s most creative district, EC1, flooding it with the extraordinary creativity that dwells across London’s historic Clerkenwell. With more exhibitors, showrooms and venues than ever before, the opening day began the stirring three-day journey of unveiling over 140 exceptional design showrooms that have partnered with CDW, an array of stimulating installations, events, talks and workshops. Featuring ten exhibition venues, with three new for 2022, the UK’s celebrated design fair welcomed brands, designers and design aficionados to Clerkenwell, which has come alive with the festivities of CDW 2022.

Interface's installation takes the viewer on a visual journey of the company’s history – from petroleum-fuelled flooring manufacturer to global leader in climate-conscious design. Lois O’Hara has worked in collaboration with OnOffice magazine to create exterior murals for ‘OnOffice Curates’, as well as with Duffy London to produce a special swing-table. NVBL Architects, while introducing minimal materiality, transformed the Clerkenwell Close into a public square fostering social and cultural conversation with their installation Shelter. At Old Sessions House, award-winning sustainable acoustic designers BAUX introduced its first-ever ceiling product within ‘BAUX Acoustic Lounge’. BVN Architecture and Second Home will partner for WorkPOP, which supports the notion of work-from-anywhere and experimentation with monotonous workspaces.

Each of the ten exhibitions targets a different theme, ranging from innovative international design to rising talent, lighting design, luxury interiors and the best of British design. Highlighting Light + Rising Stars are Artemide, Anna Hayman Designs, houseofdotcom, Kinkatou Studio London, Pour, Rankin Rugs among others. POP features the most recent creations of Case Furniture, elegant sculptural lighting by Square in Circle Studio and innovative lighting solutions by LEDS C4. Presenting the best in international contemporary design, Design Fields at Spa Fields, encompasses Christian Watson’s new furniture including the new Edenvale sofa as well as furniture by WOUD, Nor11 and Natuzzi Italia, alongside outdoor pieces by Ethimo. Spotlighting home-grown brands in the Crypt of St James’ Church, British Collection displays what is new by Another Country, Benchmark, John Eadon as well as lighting by Hand & Eye Studio.

Local resident design showrooms form an integral part of the festival. With a special installation, Fritz Hansen mark their 150th anniversary at CDW 2022, while simultaneously previewing new products. Deadgood will be presenting new launches at CDW 2022, including ReWork. VitrA London, a brand new space, is showcasing their latest collections, including a new launch by Tom Dixon. The eminent Spanish company, Kettal, is partaking in the festival with its latest outdoor furniture and workspace product designs including the new Ringer collection by Michael Anastassiades and Giro collection by Vincent Van Duysen. British brand, William Hands, known for its dextrous craftsmanship, will present its new Fairmont Seating series by Tom Rawlings in their new showroom.

The diverse talk sessions at CDW 2022 incorporated trends, opinions, and presentations from an extended roster of design-led sectors. Tom Dixon in conversation with journalist Bethan Ryder set the Conversations at Clerkenwell 2022 in motion, a zestful start for three days of insightful and engaging conversations. ‘Queer Spaces’ with Adam Nathaniel Furman and Joshua Mardell, past and present and ‘Materials Matter’, a discussion on responsible design and the role of materials in the crusade for sustainability and a circular future were among the noteworthy sessions. Offering a myriad events, from exhibitions and talks to installations and workshops, CDW 2022 extends on Clerkenwell’s long history of making, saturating EC1 with cutting-edge architects to traditional craftspeople alike.

Clerkenwell Design Week 2022 will remain on display from 24 May to 26 May 2022 in Clerkenwell, London, England .