Soho House creatives among experts revealing their design intelligence at Conversations at Clerkenwell 2023
23-25 May 2023
April 5, 2023
This year’s edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (23-25th May 2023) will see a plethora of design secrets revealed at the festival’s dedicated talks programme: ‘Conversations at Clerkenwell’. The jam-packed schedule of eighteen talks across the three days is always a big attraction at the UK’s leading design festival.
The programme will open with Designer and Artist Morag Myerscough and highlights include: Soho Home’s Design Director James Patmore and Soho House’s interior designer Domhnall Nolan; British/Canadian designer Philippe Malouin; Design Council CEO Minnie Moll; Note Design Studio; Pantone; Doshi Levien’s Nipa Doshi and Pentagram’s Experience and Sound designer Yuri Suzuki.
Themes that will be explored include: The meaning of ‘taste’, sound design, colour trends for 2024, defining Scandinavian design, communicating design circularity, diversity in design, Maximalism, and the future of wellness within the hospitality sector. The role design and designers play in the climate emergency will be explored throughout the programme and a ‘Sustainable Living’ series will see one talk each day dedicated specifically to the topic. ‘Conversations at Clerkenwell’ is curated by Brand Consultant Katie Richardson, will be housed in an AirClad structure and sponsored by RAK ceramics.
Throughout CDW there are hundreds of other talks, events and installations to explore in showrooms and spaces all over EC1.
‘CONVERSATIONS AT CLERKENWELL’ SCHEDULE
(Keep an eye on the CDW website and socials for new names being added)
TUESDAY MAY 23rd
11.00-12.00
Morag Myserscough in Conversation with Bethan Ryder
Prolific artist and designer Morag Myerscough speaks to Bethan Ryder about her work. Myserscough is recognised for transforming places, and championing community and public interaction through colour-filled, joyful installations and immersive spatial artworks. Chaired by Bethan Ryder - Editorial Director, WGSN with Morag Myerscough
12.00-13.00
What is Scandinavian about Scandinavian design?
A panel discussion exploring the cultural, material, and industrial context from which Scandinavian furniture design has arisen, raising questions about the Nordic region’s design identity – how was our mainstream idea of Scandinavian design formed, and what complexity and nuance does this idea miss out? Chaired by Oli Stratford – Editor, Disegno. Panel: Jonas Pettersson – Co-Founder, Form Us with Love, Marie-Louise Høstbo - Head of Design, Fritz Hansen, Dr Sofia Singler – Cambridges University / Alvar Aalto 2023 Steering Group
13.00-14.00
MIX PRESENTS: Maximalism: When is More, More?
Mix Editor Harry McKinley chairs a panel on creating characterful spaces, designing bravely and asks the question - ‘is good taste subjective’? Chaired by Harry McKinley – Editor, Mix. Panel: Claire Bingham – Writer, Shayne Brady – Brady Williams, Sinta Tantra – Artist
14.00-15.00
SUSTAINABLE LIVING: New London Architecture - Homes with Green Ambitions
NLA’s Don’t Move, Improve! programme is on a mission to promote the role of design in creating sustainable home renovations across London. This year’s shortlisted projects showcase a variety of architectural projects that explore innovative, considered, and intuitive home renovations. The selection of projects being discussed at Clerkenwell Design Week explores cost-effective design solutions that use natural, long-lasting, and renewable materials to reduce carbon emissions.
Chaired by Florence Machietto. Panel: Marie Louise Schembri, Anna Beckett, Studio naama and Unknown Works
15.00-16.00
The Beauty of Circularity
How do we tell meaningful stories of material innovation in a digital age? How can brands communicate complex circular systems whilst maintaining simplicity and integrity? Caroline Till, Co-Founder of FranklinTill hosts a conversation with flooring company Tarkett and 3D motion design agency Found, to explore a recent collaboration using design to communicate the beauty of circularity. Chaired by Caroline Till – Co-Founder, FranklinTill. Panel: Anette Timmer – Tarkett, Clayton Welham - Found
16.00-17.00
The Soho House Approach to Design
Take a look inside the design process of SoHo House – renowned for its unique interiors all over the world. Hosted by lifestyle and interiors journalist, Jessica Salter, with Soho Home Design Director, James Patmore, and Soho House Senior Designer, Domhnall Nolan – the session explores the inspiration and concepts behind some of their most iconic spaces and furniture designs. Chaired by Jessica Salter. Panel: James Patmore – SoHo Home, Domhall Nolan – SoHo House
WEDNESDAY MAY 24th
11.00-12.00
Yuri Suzuki in Conversation with Elspeth Pridham
Experience and sound designer Yuri Suzuki talks to journalist Elspeth Pridham about his work at the intersection of installation, interaction and product design, and his role as Sound Design Partner at Pentagram. Chaired by Elspeth Pridham – Editor, The Insider with Yuri Suzuki – Pentagram
12.00-13.00
SUSTAINABLE LIVING: Future Architecture
Nick Crosbie, Founder of Inflate, charts the journey of a venture based on inflatables – beginning in the 90’s with accessories to now, highly engineered, and large scale, architectural spaces. Future thinking from the studio focuses on a new model for sustainable housing, believing that temporary architecture can offer a more circular solution for future cities. Nick Crosbie – Founder, Inflate & AirClad, John Norden – Neighbourhood
13.00-14.00
RAK Ceramics
Daniel Debiasi and Federico Sandri explore the design journey and inspiration behind the latest collections from RAK Ceramics
14.00-15.00
PANTONE: The Art of Living – Colour Trends for Home and Interiors 2024
How we live and the concept of “lifestyle” have taken on new meaning. In our PANTONEVIEW home + interiors color trend forecast for 2024 we dive deep into this new world. A world in which we are more sensitive to how our home and surroundings make us feel, and our emotional connection to objects, both old and new, a world in which we express our values, a world where we cherish the special of the every-day and embrace our creative spirit. Carola Seybold and Jane Boddy – PANTONE
16.00-17.00
BIID: Flexible Working and the Rise of Hybrid Hospitality Spaces
This talk will explore the value in designing modern, collaborative workspaces in hotels. What makes a space like this successful? How do you create spaces that promote better productivity, collaboration, and creativity? The panel will discuss how designers can create multifunctional, fluid spaces activities and take advantage of the global trend for remote working.
Chaired by May Fawzy – BIID President Elect. Panel: Anna Burles, Tola Ojuolape, Harriet Forde
17.00-18.00
Note Design Studio in Conversation with Hanna Nova Beatrice
Multidisciplinary Swedish design collective - Note Design Studio, share their creative journey, including the design of Lammult’s pop-up stand for CDW and new Bau modular seating system
19.00-20.00
Design Council: Design Made it Possible: Designing With and for all
The Design Council will chair a panel discussion on diversity in design, exploring the interventions required in education and in regional settings to increase diversity in the design sector.
Chaired by Minnie Moll, CEO – Design Council. Panel: Simon Hamilton – Simon Hamilton Creative, Vicky Yang – Design Bridge, Emma Morley – Trifle*
THURSDAY MAY 25th
11.00-12.00
Philippe Malouin in Conversation with Max Fraser
British-Canadian designer and Design Academy Eindhoven graduate, Philippe Malouin, speaks to Dezeen’s Editorial Director Max Fraser, about a more radical approach to design, including work ranging from tables, rugs, and chairs – through to art objects and installations.
Chaired by Max Fraser – Editorial Director, Dezeen with Philippe Malouin
12.00-13.00
SLEEPER PRESENTS: The Future of Wellness in Hotels
Wellness travel has become one of the industry’s fastest growing sectors since the pandemic, and hotel groups have responded by ramping up their offerings; cognitive health scans are now being provided alongside massages, while recovery rooms are giving a new meaning to R&R. But what’s next for wellness in hospitality? Chaired by Ben Thomas – Editor, Sleeper. Panel: Handley Amos – Co-Founder, Pillar Wellbeing, Inge Theron – Creative Director of Spa & Wellness at Maybourne Hotel Group, Alex Reed – Design Director, AvroKo.
13.00-14.00
Bolon: Annica and Marie Eklund in Conversation with Kaye Preston
OnOffice Editor Kaye Preston speaks with sisters and Bolon CEO and CCO, Marie and Annica Eklund, on the history of the pioneering Swedish family business. The talk explores what drives the creativity, collaborations, and innovation, and how the company continues to lead the conversation on sustainability. Chaired by Kaye Preston – Editor, OnOffice with Annica Eklund and Marie Eklund, Bolon
14.00-15.00
SUSTAINABLE LIVING: Waste Not
From decorative, architectural panels and acoustic treatments – to materials for makers. This session explores innovative and progressive uses of waste, within businesses built on a model of circularity.
Chaired by Roddy Clark. Panel: Sophie Rochester – Yodomo, Fredrik Franzon – CEO, BAUX, Emily Skinner – Smiles Plastics
15.00-16.00
Nipa Doshi in Conversation with Kaye Preston
OnOffice Editor Kaye Preston speaks with Nipa Doshi from Doshi Levien on recent projects and the significance of colour in design, across a client base which varies from furniture and accessories to textiles. Chaired by Kaye Preston – Editor, OnOffice with Nipa Doshi – Doshi Levien
The 12th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week takes place across EC1, London from 23 – 25 May 2023. For more information and to view the programme, please visit
https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/conversations-at-clerkenwell.
PRESS CONTACT
For press enquiries, please contact Belinda Fisher and Patricia Gill at Friends & Co: cdw@friendsandco.co.uk. Press registration: clerkenwelldesignweek.com/pr
NOTES TO EDITORS
Conversations at Clerkenwell takes place at Spa Design Fields, Skinner Street, EC1 from 11.00am onwards, May 23-25.
Clerkenwell Design Week, 23 – 25 May 2023
Website: clerkenwelldesignweek.com | Instagram: @clerkenwelldesignweek
Twitter: @cdwfestival | Facebook: @clerkenwell.design.week | Hashtag: #CDW2023
2023 exhibition venues
- Design Fields – home to international furniture and interiors brands;
- Contract – home to commercial interiors;
- Light – home to international lighting brands;
- Project – home to workplace furniture and solutions;
- Elements – home to architectural hardware and finishes;
- British Collection – home to the best of British interiors brands;
- Detail – home to luxury interiors;
- Platform – home to emerging design talent;
- Old Sessions House – home to brand pop-ups and activations, and also the festival hub offering CDW visitors free access between 23 – 25 May;
- Ceramics of Italy – home to Italian tile brands;
- (NEW) Catapult – home to contemporary design for office, hospitality and retail.
Visiting information
- Visitors can register for their FREE festival passes via clerkenwelldesignweek.com.
- 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