Clerkenwell Design Week 2018, a few things worth seeing

21st May 2018

By Holly Bishop

This time tomorrow we’ll be halfway through the first day of Clerkenwell Design Week, I haven’t been before but I’ve been told by everybody here at deVOL that it’s a lot of fun! There’s so many events, exhibitions, talks, walks, street pop ups and more going on, every person who comes along is sure to find something they love. I can’t wait to explore and will try to see as much as possible, but below I’ve noted down a few things that particularly caught my eye when I was having a look on the CDW website that I’ll definitely be trying to go along to and I thought you might like to hear about too!

Our busy showroom at last year's Clerkenwell Design Week.

Our busy St. John’s showroom at last year’s Clerkenwell Design Week.

Royal Approval

There are quite a few different pop up installations happening around the area but one that sounds really cool is the Royal Approval installation by Kinetech Design, made in collaboration with Amari Interiors and Timberfusion. Kinetech Design is an art and design house that specialise in foldable and kinetic structures, they’ve made some really beautiful origami inspired kinetic sculptures over the years. Their installation at Clerkenwell Design Week will be taking place at St John’s Gate, just a few feet from our showroom! This installation is great for anyone interested in design, but also in history. St John’s Gate is full of history and has certainly influenced the collection of art being displayed. During Queen Elizabeth I’s reign in the 17th century, St John’s Gate was home to the Master of Revels who was responsible for all theatrical censorship, including many of Shakespeare’s works which was then performed at the Gate. The two guys behind Kinetech Design have drawn on this history for their collection, and I even spotted in a behind the scenes video a huge kinetic sculpture looking a lot like an Elizabethan ruff – and it looked very impressive!

A little sneak peek at what the huge Elizabethan ruff will look like.

A little sneak peek at what the huge Elizabethan ruff will look like. Image credit: Kinetech Design

Next Generation Design Pavilion by Scale Rule

Another pop up happening at CDW that sounds so interesting is the Next Generation Design Pavilion that will be set up in the Garden of St James. The idea was conceived by GCSE students from London and has a really important message, a kaleidoscopic oculus will be made up of different layers representing the past, present and future, inviting people to draw their eyes up and become more aware of the key natural elements that surround them. I will definitely be going along to support this amazing idea and also to find out exactly what a kaleidoscopic oculus is…

The Garden of St James last year, can't wait to see it this time around.

The Garden of St. James at the last CDW, can’t wait to see it this year.

Zaha Hadid Gallery

An iconic name in the world of architects, the Zaha Hadid Design Studio will be showcasing some of the latest work to come out of this amazing architectural company during CDW. I’m really excited to go and have a look around the exhibition and they’re even presenting, for the first time in London, an experimental structure known as Thallus which was made using robotic 3D printing technology! If you’re interested in architecture then you should definitely make your way over to 101 Goswell Road it’s on from 1-6pm everyday of the show and there’s even an exhibition tour from 2pm on Wednesday.

The experimental structure, Thallus, is being displayed for the first time in London at CDW.

The experimental structure, Thallus, is being displayed for the first time in London at CDW. Image credit: Zaha Hadid Design

Conversations

Along with things to go and see, there are also plenty of really interesting and informative talks going on across the three days that are certainly worth a visit. One that really caught my eye is Plastic Fantastic, it’s happening on the Tuesday and is all about our sudden awareness of plastic use and how the design industry has contributed to the changes in how we use and perceive plastic. It’s so relevant and important and I’m sure will be a really interesting discussion. It starts at 3:15 in Spa Fields Park, click here if you’d like to book tickets.

On Thursday, international design magazine darc will be hosting a conversation all about the use of decorative lighting in interior design and architecture. This will be taking place in the LIGHT exhibition, new for 2018. LIGHT is taking over Fabric, the former nightclub, and filling it with light installations and an array of amazing lighting companies showcasing their latest collections. It sounds pretty cool! The talk is totally free but do click here to register your interest.

There are plenty of talks happening every day of CDW so just click here if you’d like to have a little look at the rest!

Just one of the many busy spots during Clerkenwell Design Week, just next to our St. John's showroom.

One of the many busy spots during Clerkenwell Design Week, just next to our St. John’s showroom.

deVOL Kitchens

You might be coming along to CDW to gain a few ideas or a little inspiration for your own projects at home or perhaps you have a couple of questions to ask. If that’s the case and you’d like any advice on kitchen design, just pop by to our showroom on St. John’s Square, right in the middle of all the action! This lovely old townhouse showcases furniture from all of our ranges as well as a few lovely vintage pieces that we’ve collected over the years. We even have a new Sebastian Cox Kitchen display that is well worth a look, it wasn’t here last year and really is such a special space!

Our brand new Sebastian Cox Kitchen in our St. John's Townhouse.

Our brand new Sebastian Cox Kitchen in our St. John’s Townhouse.

Split over four floors in all, you’re more than welcome to come and explore, ask us any questions you might have and make your way up to our sun trap of a roof terrace – hopefully the sun will be shining!

The view from our lovely little roof terrace at St. John's.

The view from our lovely little roof terrace at St. John’s.

Also, don’t forget we’re showcasing our brand new kitchen range, The Haberdasher’s Kitchen, at stand B9 in the British Collection and it can be found in the Crypt on the Green of St James’ Church! Inspired by mid-century English furniture, this new range is being displayed in the British Collection alongside some of the best British companies. This is a great time to reveal our brand new collection, plus a few of our favourite new home accessories, and the guys on the stand are working so hard to make sure it’s all looking perfect. Helen, our amazing Creative Director, was just there yesterday dressing the whole stand and doing the final touches – you’re going to love it! So do pop by if you get the chance, have a look around and let us know what you think.

We're so excited to showcase our brand new Haberdasher's Kitchen range at CDW!

We’re so excited to showcase our brand new Haberdasher’s Kitchen range at CDW!!

Remember!! Entry to Clerkenwell Design Week is completely free but you do need to register first, click here to do this.

PS – there’s lots and lots of great food deals too! The Zetter Townhouse is just round from the corner from us where you can grab a Charcuterie or cheese board plus two cocktails for £25! Click here to have a look at all the offers.