25th May 2016

CDW 2016: Clerkenwell London & Design Undefined in Pictures

Now that Clerkenwell London’s doors have been flung wide open for Clerkenwell Design Week 2016, it’s impossible not to gush about the compellingly diverse range of creative projects and products on display at the multi-disciplinary destination. Complemented by its gorgeous interiors, work from Benjamin Hubert, Marta Bordes, Katharine Eisenköck, Kia Utzon-Frank and many others has seen visitors to Design Undefined captivated by innovation and beautiful breaks in convention.

One of this year’s real show-stoppers, it was with great excitement that Benjamin Hubert yesterday revealed his advanced prototype of GO, the world’s first 3D-printed wheelchair. Designed to improve quality of life for wheelchair users, Layer founder Benjamin has gone to great lengths to research the needs of those who actually use wheelchairs and their experiences with existing designs. Boasting a more streamlined aesthetic, with a form defined by groundbreaking body-mapping technology, GO is a must-see highlight from this year’s festival.

Exhibited as part of Katie Treggiden’s Fiera Edit, works from Spanish designer Marta Bordes and Austrian designer-maker Katharina Eisenköck combine unexpected material intersections and challenge common assumptions surrounding the applications and manufacture of materials like ceramics, elastics, stone and glass. Katharina’s elegantly unbalanced forms see rough alabaster and mirror thrust together in order to explore the tension between man-made materials and natural resources. Also not be missed as part of the Fiera Edit, Newcastle-based architects, designers and metalworkers Novocastrian are showcasing their innovative approach to traditional manufacturing techniques and processes, inspired by their northern English heritage! You’ll find the Fiera Edit on the ground floor of Clerkenwell London.

One theme that is recurrent throughout the enticing rooms of the design-led space is the renewal of everyday materials as something entirely different with an unexpected but undeniable visual beauty. Chosen for the exhibition by materials specialist and Matter founder Seetal Solanki, Sophie Rowley’s incredible Bahia stool presents the illusion of being made from erratically grained wood, but is actually glued, hardened, polished and carved layers of denim offcuts. Meanwhile, Kia Utzon-Frank’s much sought-after KUFcakes see the cool, matte surfaces of marble and stone recreated as contemporary sculptures that are also completely edible (and delicious) cakes. Kia’s irresistible cake creations are available to buy from Clerkenwell London’s 155 Bar & Kitchen, while Sophie’s striking stool can be found in the Fashion Room.

Catch one of Seetal’s brilliantly eye-opening Materials Matter workshops today and tomorrow in the Fashion Room, and be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get lost in the many wonders of Design Undefined, including Max Fraser’s emotive exhibit, One Thing.

Clerkenwell London and Design Undefined are open for visitors today and tomorrow from 10am-8pm. Follow Clerkenwell London on Twitter and Instagram for more updates from the festival!

Above 1: Katie Treggiden's eye catching Fiera Edit room, Below 1 and 2: Benajmin Hubert's GO wheelchair, 3: Kia applies the final touches to The Keep, 4 and 5: Seetal Solanki's exhibition in the Fashion Room, 6: Max Fraser presents 'One Thing'