20th March 2020

Spring loaded

Under normal circumstances, we’d be busy sharing all the exciting projects we have lined up for Milan Design Week, and we were ready and raring to go and do just that, but the universe (and the WHO) have other plans.

In a time of disruption and uncertainty, let's open our minds to new dynamic ways of collaborating, creating and communicating good work. As a sector, we are ideally placed to adapt, evolve and embrace this new paradigm for the benefit of all the people who rely on the innovation, advancement and comfort our industry brings.

Here is the latest news from our team and our clients.

Please get in touch if we can tell you more...

Design District
16 buildings by 8 architects

It’s always a thrill when there’s positive news for London’s creative industries – and there’s a huge wodge of it talking shape on Greenwich Peninsula as you read this. Design District is a purpose-built neighbourhood for London's creative sector, comprising work, play and cultural spaces for a community of 1,800 people – but it’s also a brilliant architectural experiment.

Eight studios are currently overseeing the construction of 16 buildings – all designed ‘blind’ with a single brief, to guarantee an eclectic and characterful streetscape. A bold move, for sure, and we can’t wait to see the results when the Design District is completed this autumn. But stay tuned for an update this week, when we’ll be releasing info on the site’s masterplan and overall concept.

There are many stories to be told on this project this spring and summer.

London’s Design District comprises 16 buildings by 8 leading architecture practices.

The Conran Shop
A modern Mediterranean summer

Pack up your wellies and don your deck shoes, the in-store arrival of The Conran Shop’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection means the end of winter is nigh and summer is very much on schedule. In keeping with Conran’s mission to celebrate truly timeless design from around the world, the new collection is packed with stone-cold classics and future icons – including this Zetteler favourite.

Designed in-house by The Conran Shop’s team, the new director’s chair takes a beloved archetype of 20th-century furniture and gives it a Mediterranean summer spin in the form of a cheerfully stripy seat and a sturdy hardwood frame to ensure longevity. Just the thing for impromptu alfresco cocktails for the foreseeable future.

With six key trends – check them out yourself – we think it's a great way to kick off the decade.

Irthi
Bringing the UAE to the world on Adorno

In a landmark moment for Irthi Contemporary Craft Council and the artisans it empowers, the UAE has just been added to the digital design platform Adorno. This means that the beautiful and innovative products made by Irthi’s all-women crafts community are now being exhibited and sold alongside exemplary collectible craft from the world’s most admired design hubs. A big win for traditional Emirati craft.

The Adorno collections (Design Labs and Crafts Dialogue) combine the heritage skills of Emirati craftswomen with the contemporary vision of international designers and the results are fantastic. From furniture inspired by desert architecture to leather fruit bowls and gold jewellery, many of the pieces are enhanced by the inclusion of traditional Talli and Safeefah detailing – weaving techniques distinct to the UAE region.

Beautiful collectible pieces from Irthi's product collections which celebrate Emirati craft.

Pearson Lloyd
Busiest moment in 20+ years

The prolific London studio, Pearson Lloyd, has plunged into one of the busiest calendars of its 20+ year history, with a host of landmark projects on the cards – not least its own studio relocation to a purpose-designed retrofitted space in Hackney.

Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd on the site of their new Hackney retrofit studio. © Mark Cocksedge

Work continues on the new studio in collaboration with architect Cassion Castle, who recently discussed the complex process of repurposing a suite of Victorian workshops with Architects Journal as part of its RetroFirst campaign. Well worth a read.

Uncommon Projects
New showroom opening in spring

Almost a decade after the company launched, the bespoke kitchen designers and plywood evangelists of Uncommon Projects are moving into what is clearly their spiritual home – the Golden Lane Estate beside the Barbican.

Uncommon Projects will move into this distinctive modernist space in the Golden Lane estate, designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, in spring 2020. © Modernist Estates

Occupying one of the shops originally designed by the estate’s legendary architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, the new showroom will be the brand’s first publicly accessible space, giving potential clients a chance to explore Uncommon Projects’ inventive, architecture-led designs in person. More to come as soon as we’ve had a peek inside, but shout if you want to be among the first through the door.

Camille Walala
Crowdfunding the largest public artwork in Leyton

Following a HUGE first quarter (did you see her House of Dots for LEGO?), artist Camille Walala is back from a prolonged jaunt to Mexico, and a short sojourn in Helsinki, where she shared her ‘Taking Joy Seriously’ philosophy with the Huiput Festival. Here in London, the Leyton community are launching a crowdfunding campaign to Walala-fy the High Road with a giant mural, and Camille herself will be flexing her curatorial credentials, working with the Koestler Trust to select works for its annual South Bank Centre exhibition of art created by the UK’s prison population.

Render of Walala Parade, Camille's plan create the largest public artwork in Leyton.

Brompton Design District
Returning for LDF 2020

Cue drumroll, we’ve an announcement to make. After working with Brompton Design District at London Design Festival last year, we’re delighted to announce we’re back in the saddle for 2020 – which means that we are both the communications partner for London’s oldest LDF design district AND its newest, permanent one – Design District in Greenwich. Two very different parts of London, two very different design offerings – the full spectrum of London creativity.