Clerkenwell Design Week, the independent design festival, will be held in London from May 21-23, 2024
Now in its 15th edition, Clerkenwell Design Week, the independent design festival, returns to London from May 21-23, 2024 featuring new exhibition spaces and a stronger than ever line-up of British and international brands. More than 600 curated events will take place on the occasion, complemented by over 160 local design showrooms and 300 exhibitors.
The new exhibition venues
The 2024 edition welcomes three new exhibition venues. Contract and Work on Clerkenwell Green and the Goldsmiths’ Centre will showcase the latest in commercial interior design, while The Edit, in Bourne and Hollingsworth, will host some of the world’s leading contemporary design brands.
British Collection X 2 and the other venues of Clerkenwell Design Week 2024
This year, British Collection will double its size taking over the entire crypt of St James’s Church, including the Tom Dixon-furnished vestry, which will also host the popular ICON Talks series. Meanwhile, Design Fields will host contemporary furniture by British and international brands, including over 35 Italian brands; Light will be home to global lighting companies and installations with more brands participating this year. Project will be Clerkenwell Design Week’s home to contract furniture and surface design; Elements will showcase architectural hardware and finishes, Detail luxury interiors. Moreover, Platform will showcase emerging design and Ceramics of Italy will house Italian ceramic and porcelain tile brands. Lastly, Old Sessions House, the festival hub, will host numerous important events.
Over 300 design brands and new talent will exhibit their products at Clerkenwell Design Week 2024. Confirmed participants include SCP, Benchmark, Ercol, Another Country, Fora Form, Umage, Lammhults, Blå Station, Ethimo, Origin, Ultrafabrics, Romo, Granite and Smoke, Schotten and Hansen, Very Good and Proper, Dare Studio, Pooky Lighting and Lladró.
Click here for the exhibitor list
On the other hand, over 160 local showrooms will host product launches, talks and workshops, including Fritz Hansen, Mater, Modus, Norr11, Flokk, Arper, Allermuir, Lintex, Cosentino, Ideal Standard, VitrA Bathrooms, Modulyss, Camira Fabrics, Tarkett, Iris Ceramica, Domus Tiles and Parkside.
Click here for the showroom list
Other destinations
In addition to the showrooms and the vibrant exhibitions taking place in the 12 venues of the festival, we must mention Paxton Locher House, (which will host a selection of Danish design brands), Brewhouse Yard, Cowcross Yards (which will present the best of Ukrainian designs), and Marx Memorial Library (participating for the first time). These destinations will be transformed by a curated selection of international brands and trade institutions. Lastly, the local architecture studio Groupwork, led by Amin Taha, will be home to the latest presentation from the British furniture brand Case Furniture.
Installations
A series of special projects and site-specific installations specially commissioned for the event will once again adorn the streets of Clerkenwell. Here is our selection.
Giant Signature Box by Material Bank
Material Bank is a marketplace that facilitates the search and work of design professionals by gathering in one place thousands of references from selected companies. Following previous launches in Stockholm and Milan, the company will introduce its signature box to London during CDW, joining forces with a multitude of brand partners. Designed by Material Bank’s Chief Design Officer, the giant box installation measures 4.8m x 6.5m x 2m and will be located in St John’s Square.
Connection by Lois O’Hara and Ronnie Chapple
Connection is a new series of works by Lois O’Hara and Ronnie Chapple. The installation, adorning one of the brick walls near House of Detention, invites the viewer to venture into the world of 3D and sculptural work. Its goal is to encourage interaction and conversation while demonstrating the significant effects of nature on our mental health.
Gatekeepers by Duffy London and Orsi Orban
Building on its recent collaboration with Berlin-based surface designer Orsi Orban, Duffy London will transform the historic St John’s Gate of the Order of St John with a series of sculptures inspired by organic forms found in nature.
Jestico + Whiles x Bolon
Local architecture and interior design studio Jestico + Whiles will collaborate with its neighboring
showroom Bolon on a project that will take over their shared courtyard at Sutton Yard in the heart of
Clerkenwell. The studio’s design, complemented by lighting from Studio Fractal and Architainment, reimagines Bolon’s innovative woven flooring to create an immersive experience. Reflecting their shared sustainability values, this low-waste installation will repurpose Bolon’s flooring offcuts, which will then be reused or recycled.
Conferences and talks
In addition to product launches, showroom presentations and interactive installations, there will be the return of Conversations at Clerkenwell, with a rich program of lectures and talks, curated by Katie Richardson. These talks will be hosted in a purpose-built theatre in Spa Fields. This edition’s topics will include sustainable practices, work-focused trends, craft, neurodiversity, AI and much more.
The first talk, with Mary Portas OBE, will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The line-up also includes Simone Brewster, Henry Holland, 2LG Studio (Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead).
View the talks program here
Ph: Sam Frost
