Clerkenwell Design Week 2024 opens with record 20% rise in registrations
Until 23 May 2024
May 21, 2024
[Tuesday, 21 May 2024] Leading global design festival Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) opens today, marking its best pre-registrations yet, up by 20% from 2023. The 13th edition returns to the EC1 neighbourhood, boasting a programme of more than 600 curated events supported by over 160 local showrooms and 300 exhibitors spanning across 12+ venues. Register now for free festival passes. Through 23 May 2024, architects, specifiers, interior designers and the public alike have the opportunity to discover everything from innovative furniture and lighting to cutting-edge kitchen and bathroom designs, materials, decorative accessories and more.
A key highlight of the festival is its curated series of site-specific installations, once again gracing the streets of Clerkenwell. Notable installations include Stay Playful (When No One Feels Like Playing) by 2LG Studio, featuring a vintage helter-skelter in Spa Fields inspired by old fairgrounds, as well as two interactive light features: Grid System by artist Ben Cullen Wiliams at Light, and PLUS by Jestico + Whiles in collaboration with Bolon at Sutton Yard.
While Duffy London partners with surface designer Orsi Orban for Gatekeepers at St John's Gate of the Order of St John, two remarkable installations are presented on Clerkenwell Green, celebrating the sustainability, versatility and beauty of natural stone: Brick from a Stone designed by architects Artefact for Albion Stone and Hutton Stone, and Stone Tapestry: Beyond the Surface by Stone Federation.
This year’s festival sees the debut of several exhibition venues, from Contract and Work to The Goldsmiths' Centre, both showcasing the latest trends in commercial and workplace interiors. The British Collection expands its footprint at St James's Church, joined by the new Italian, German and Danish Collections hosted at various locations in Clerkenwell. Throughout CDW, visitors can also explore and participate in hundreds of showroom presentations, events and talks all over EC1.
Conversations at Clerkenwell is back in Spa Fields with another line-up of daily talks curated by Katie Richardson. Look out for discussions featuring high-profile names including Mary Portas OBE, Simone Brewster, Bethan Laura Wood, Henry Holland and 2LG Studio. Visitors can also enjoy other talks at the festival, from Design Meets at Design Fields to Darc Thoughts hosted by Darc magazine at Light. Last but not least, as part of the Fringe programme, local design studios throw open their doors to visitors, offering a range of creative workshops, alongside guided specialist tours and exclusive discounts from a range of food and drink partners.
Above (from left): Mary Portas OBE in conversation with Becky Sunshine as part of Conversations at Clerkenwell (Photo: Sam Frost); Possible Impossible pavilion by Peter Morris Architects (Photo: Ashley Bingham)
Clerkenwell Design Week 2024 takes place across EC1, London, until 23 May. For more information, please visit clerkenwelldesignweek.com.
PRESS CONTACT
For press enquiries, please contact Belinda Fisher and Patricia Gill at Friends & Co: cdw@friendsandco.co.uk.
Press registration: click here
NOTES TO EDITORS
Clerkenwell Design Week, 21 – 23 May 2024
Website: clerkenwelldesignweek.com | Instagram: @clerkenwelldesignweek
X: @cdwfestival | Facebook: @clerkenwell.design.week | Hashtag: #CDW2024
2024 exhibition venues:
- NEW: Contract and Work (Wallacespace on Clerkenwell Green) – home to innovative and forward-thinking products for commercial interiors;
- NEW: The Goldsmiths’ Centre and Cowcross Pavilions (Cowcross Yards) – both home to designs aimed at commercial and workplace interiors;
- Design Fields (Spa Fields), featuring Italian Collection (NEW) – home to contemporary furniture with an international focus, including over 30 Italian furniture, lighting and textile brands on the first floor;
- British Collection (St James’s Church) – home to local brands which will double its size this year, while hosting the popular ICON Talks series;
- Light (House of Detention) – home to global lighting companies and installations with more brands participating this year, as well as Darc’s curated talks;
- Project (Garden of St James) and Project on the Green (18 Clerkenwell Green) – both home to contract furniture and surface design;
- Elements (St John’s Square) – home to architectural hardware and finishes;
- Detail (The Order of St John) – home to luxury interiors;
- Platform (70 Cowcross Street) – home to emerging design talent and brands;
- Ceramics of Italy (St John’s Square) – home to Italian ceramic and porcelain tile brands; and
- Old Sessions House – atmospheric home to brand activations and presentations, as well as the festival hub offering CDW visitors FREE access between 21 – 23 May.
Visiting information:
- Visitors can register for their FREE festival passes now.
- All visitors require a visitor badge to access the exhibition venues and showroom events.
- Exhibition venues are open 10:00 – 18:00 on Tuesday, 10:00 – 21:00 on Wednesday, and 10:00 – 17:00 on Thursday. Showroom opening hours vary.
- Closest underground stations: Farringdon and Barbican
- Bus routes: 19, 341, 38, N19, N38, N41, 55, 48