The Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) team have billed this year’s event as “the most extensive programme to date”, with even more installations, product launches and discussions than usual. The show is completely free and takes place from 21 to 23 May at various venues around the east London neighbourhood.
Here’s a round-up of some of the highlights you’ll discover at the event, including a not-to-be-missed talk from the Houzz team.
What’s new at Clerkenwell this year?
As well as the usual exhibition venues at CDW, there will be three international pavilions. You’ll find an Italian Collection of 31 furniture, lighting and textiles brands on the first floor of Design Fields; a German Collection of brands and furniture at Catapult, and a range of top Danish brands at Paxton Locher House.
Installations to look out for around the area include a piece by Stone Federation, which features reclaimed stone pieces cleverly assembled into a light framework; a sustainable design made from recycled offcuts of a woven floor by Jestico + Whiles x Bolon, and an immersive light experience by Ben Cullen Williams (pictured), which looks at the impact a simple grid might have on our day-to-day lives.
What are the festival’s main themes?
Neurodiversity is a talking point at this year’s event, fuelled by a growing awareness of the importance of designing spaces that address different needs. There will be a discussion by Ultrafabrics exploring the benefits of multisensory design in neuroinclusive environments at Design Fields, and a similar talk by the founders of the neurodiversity consultancy ZoneND at the AllSfär showroom in Baltic Street East.
Another major theme at this year’s festival has been coined The New Stone Age by the event’s organisers, and focuses on the fact that stone is having something of a renaissance in the world of design. Look out for products and installations, such as the Brick From A Stone exhibition (pictured) that highlights the low-energy process of producing stone bricks.
Wood will also be celebrated at 2024’s CDW, with brands including Benchmark, Matthew Burt and Dovetailors showcasing the timeless, sustainable properties of this versatile material.
What other panel discussions can I catch at the show?
The talks programme at Clerkenwell is bigger and better than ever this year, so there should be something for everyone. As well as the discussion on neurodiversity mentioned earlier, there will be panel talks about sustainability and circularity, women in design, the benefits of wood and stone, and the use of colour.
For a fascinating insight into what homeowners are looking for from professionals when renovating their homes, check out the Houzz Pro What Homeowners Want: Improving Customer Satisfaction for Greater Profits & Productivity talk at 4pm on 22 May at Design Meets in Design Fields (Spa Fields, Northampton Road EC1R 0DF). Andréa Blanc du Collet will share groundbreaking research to help you provide the best experience for your clients.
