Clerkenwell Design Week 2014
Proponents of the Big Bang Theory contend that the universe is in a constant flux of expansion and contraction. All light and matter are slowly bound up into one tiny little ball and then Boom! the whole kit and caboodle is once again dispersed and spread out across the galaxies.
In terms of the “design” universe, this tiny little ball is known as Clerkenwell Design Week.
Every year designers converge on one small London neighbourhood and return home with a wealth of new ideas.
Last May marked the festival’s fifth instalment, and the award-garnering CDW has clearly cemented itself as the premier independent design show in the UK. But word of the show’s massive success has spread abroad and more international visitors and exhibitors are making their way to our neck of the woods each subsequent season to partake in the festivities.
Clerkenwell bills itself as “home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet”, and here at Creed-Miles we couldn’t agree more. One visit and you’ll see that this description is spot on.
We couldn’t wait to get our feet wet at this year’s event!
Queuing up on the “Platform”.
Clerkenwell Design Week features an integration of events, workshops and product launches at dozens of local resident design showrooms along with four major exhibitions, each set in a unique venue.
Design Factory at The Farmiloe Building exhibits innovative lighting and furniture design and is always a fan favourite. We found particular interest in contemporary office seating designs meant to bring warmth into tedious workplace interiors through the use of unique textures and colours. Just because it’s work doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, too.
But we were truly blown away by Platform . How can you go wrong with an exhibition located in the basement of some place called the House of Detention?
Platform is quite appropriately sponsored by W London, as the concept is to showcase cutting-edge design with the contrast of an old world backdrop. Take a look at the show’s stunning photo gallery to see how modern conceptions can blend perfectly with rustic brick interiors. You’ll be truly blown away at how chic and inviting a former prison can be!
Detail at The Order of St. John and Additions at The Crypt on the Green rounded out the major exhibit offerings and featured styles in high glamour and small-scale interior accessories respectively. There was truly something for everybody, including additional happenings focused on architecture or food and drink.
If you missed out on this year’s event, be sure to block off your calendar for May 19-21, 2015.
We couldn’t help but stick a few irons into the fire.
Inspired by the plethora of talent and buzz at the festival, Creed-Miles entered several competitions sponsored by Interface and Desso. We were chuffed to come away with three prizes for our vines.
We were so excited that we couldn’t help but spread the word via our Twitter feed.
The contests are one of the most fun aspects of Clerkenwell Design Week as firms local to the neighbourhood task visitors with a variety of design challenges. It’s a great way to get everyone involved and we look forward to expressing our creativity once again next year when May rolls around.