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London Design Festival celebrates and promotes London as the design capital of the world.

The 19th edition will take place across the city from 18-26 September 2021.

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Architecture + Reality by Sou Fujimoto and Tin Drum

Architect Sou Fujimoto and production studio and technology developer Tin Drum will create a mixed reality project examining structure, nature and visualisation at V&A Museum. Inside the Raphael Court, a succession of natural and architectural features will slowly morph and evolve based on the movement of audiences in the space, creating an almost living design that indicates the interrelation of all things and prompts thought about climate change, the role of nature in modern life and designed space.

“This is the first time I am designing architecture with non-physical materials - it’s using light and pure expanse of the space. Its an architecture experience but completely new and different” - Sou Fujimoto 

Designposts, by students, graduates, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and Benchmark

Each of our 10 design districts will be celebrated with a unique sculptural waymarker to welcome visitors and communicate the distinctive character of the district. 

To create these Designposts, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and furniture makers Benchmark have teamed up with 10 of the most exciting talents of the emerging design generation, giving the students a much-needed platform to display their skills. Under the mentorship of Izaskun Chinchilla, Professor of Architectural Practice at Bartlett School of Architecture, and Peter Marigold, Professor of Design and Entrepreneurialism from London Metropolitan University, the selected students and recent graduates will each develop a Designpost, visiting Benchmark’s workshop in Kintbury, Berkshire, to craft their design from sustainable American red oak.

“We decided to work with the COVID-19 affected generation, students coming from different backgrounds. These people have missed practices in the past year. They have an opportunity to touch the materials again in the factory at Benchmark.” –  Izaskun Chinchilla

Pictured: from left to right, Aude Saint Joanis, Sean Sutcliffe (Benchmark), Kate  Woodcock-Fowles, Jason Brooker, Megan Makinson, Darta Shokrzadeh, Faye Greenwood, Daegyu Kim, Alba Elezi, Carrie Coningsby, Peter Marigold and David Venables (AHEC) at Bencmark’s workshop in Kintbury. Photography: Thom Atkinson

Design Districts are a key component of the Festival makeup with each Design District constituting a cluster of events within a short walking distance of each other, enabling visitors to navigate over 200 events and geography of the city. More information on each Design District coming soon.

Confirmed Districts for LDF21:

  • Brompton

  • Clerkenwell

  • Design District at Greenwich Peninsula

  • Islington

  • Kings Cross

  • Mayfair

  • Park Royal

  • Shoreditch Design Triangle

  • Southwark South

  • William Morris Design Line

Design London

Making its debut during London Design Festival 2021, Design London (22-25 September 2021) will showcase a curated selection of cutting-edge furniture, lighting and contract interiors brands as well as collaborations with renowned and emerging designers.

Situated alongside a dynamic new Design District on Greenwich Peninsula, the inaugural Design London will feature a multitude of international brands, including esteemed Italian brands Ethimo Design; Penta and Artemide, Danish brand Fritz Hansen, as well as London-based industrial label Buster + Punch. 

Defined by its modern architectural form, the venue provides a striking blank canvas for showcasing the very best in contemporary design, while functional and outdoor spaves provide a means for large-scale creative expression. Positioned on the banks of the River Thames, it offers uninterrupted views across Canary Wharf and is directly accessible by tube, road, river, air and cable car.

Highlights include “Discussions at Design London,” which will be opened by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori. He will welcome guests through a kaleidoscopic tunnel of colour, inviting them to take a seat in his joyfully-designed auditorium, Transparency in shades of colour. The line-up of speakers include Morag Myerscough, Eley Kishimoto, and Pearson Lloyd.

Discover more from Design London

Since 2007, world-renowned creative agency Pentagram, have produced an annual graphic identity for each iteration of the Festival - responding to, and anticipating trends in design and typology. Domenic Lippa, Partner at Pentagram, has led the creative direction of the branding and visual design for the Festival since its inception. Titled 'Form', this year’s identity uses typography to explore dimensional depth.