*DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK IS POSTPONED UNTIL 14-16 JULY 2020*
Now in its 11th year, Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) 2020 will see the Central London district transformed into a showcase for local and global creativity from 14-16 July, after the event was postponed in light of the global impact caused by COVID-19. Encompassing a series of commissioned projects, showroom discussions, public and fringe events and product exhibitions, the programme for this year’s edition will feature horology-themed installations, launches from brands including Ercol, Dare Studio and Susie Atkinson, and a guiding theme of wellness.
LIKE CLOCKWORK
With Clerkenwell formerly at the heart of the city’s 18th century clock and watch-making industries, CDW will channel the area’s links with horology into a collection of five large-scale installations, with each interpreting the craft. Selected designers including Pilbrow and Partners and Shape London will look to past, present and future for inspiration, with the projects featuring pieces from a contemporary take on the traditional sundial to an hourglass exploring the notion of time measurement. Part of the CDW Presents: series that has previously showcased installations by EBBA Architects, JMDA and Smith.Matthias, the trail of work will lead visitors around the area and highlight both emerging and established talent.
THE NEXT GENERATION
Engaging students from across the city, the Scale Rule initiative has challenged young architects and engineers to create the week’s NextGen pavilion as part of the previous four programmes. Marking its fifth iteration, the 2020 edition will follow a guiding theme of human impact upon the earth, and mankind’s responsibility to protect it. Taking the form of a domed structure of geometric timber – reminiscent of a deconstructed planet – this year’s effort is set to celebrate sustainability by way of modular production, recycled materials and the pavilion’s planned future re-use; encouraging visitors to connect, socialise and leave their positive trace upon the structure.
CLERKENWELLNESS
Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week, CDW 2020’s focus theme will seek to address the tolls of nomadic travel, digital (dis)connectivity and work/life balance on mental and physical wellbeing. The ClerkenWELL initiative will encompass activities and events throughout the district including yoga sessions and meditation workshops, as well as a discussion with holistic counsellor Julie Strandberg and calm, mindful social spaces spread across a colourful complex of tepees by Bordeaux-based acoustic product specialist Texaa in Design Fields.
DESIGN TALKS
Taking place in a commissioned talks space created by architectural practice Fieldwork in Spa Fields, the Conversations at Clerkenwell series will see design discussions unfold in an environment reimagining the traditional Victorian bandstand. As opposed to traditional seating arrangements, the bandstand will see guests gathered for in-the-round conversations, eschewing the presentation format. An internal dome and external cube will be clad in Equitone panels, with a vibrant CNC patterned façade designed to draw attention from the surrounding park. Inside, design-led conversations will explore topics connected to workplace wellness, the importance of play and the reinvention of contract showrooms. Confirmed speakers include futures agency FranklinTill, Dulux Creative Director Marianne Shillingford and restoration specialist Roddy Clarke.
LAUNCHPAD
Spread across the district, visitor hubs including Design Fields, Light, Elements, Platform, Project and Detail will showcase new releases by leading furniture, textile and product brands. Seating specialist Thonet have announced a new interpretation of its heritage chair in the upholstered no.520 by Austrian designer Marc Dessi; Toger Lewis has collaborated with Tom Pigeon for a limited-edition stool range; Arte wallcoverings, Cane-Line furniture, Jacaranda carpets, Kirkby Design and Samuel Heath will feature within an interior showcase occupying The Order of St John’s Church, Crypt and Cloister Garden; and the storied Fabric nightclub will welcome companies including Pad Home, Square in Circle and Wever Ducré for an exhibition of leading lighting brands set against the venue’s brick vaults.
