Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) 21-23 May 2024 will see both established and emerging talent
showcase their designs from around the world. With the event set to host more than 600 curated events
across a network of over 160 local design showrooms and 300 exhibitors, the talented designers,
manufacturers and architects working with Informare will be out in force.
Humanscale
As the brand celebrates a quarter-century of the Freedom Chair’s transformative influence, it recognises
the chair’s impact on workplace wellness for countless individuals – from heads of state to corporate
titans to everyday heroes.
The Evolution of Freedom
At CDW a pop-up exhibition in the Humanscale showroom will trace the evolution of this true design
classic, the Freedom chair. From its inception in 1999 to the latest iteration, the Freedom Ocean chair to
launch later this year, guests will be able to experience first-hand how it’s as relevant today as it was
when it was launched. There will also be a sneak peek of the Freedom 25, set to debut this autumn
Freedom 25 is a limited edition of 250 of the iconic Freedom Headrest.
A Legacy of Design Innovation
On Wednesday 22nd May at 5pm, Humanscale will host a panel discussion looking at how design classics
are made, exploring the importance of intuitive use and simplicity of form to create products with
longevity. Hosted by Johanna Agerman Ross – Conran Foundation Chief Curator at the Design Museum
and founder of Disegno. Joined by acclaimed product designer Todd Bracher, Spandana Gopal founder
and creative director of Tiipoi and Jon Marshall of Pentagram Design, this insightful dialogue will delve
into the most significant product designs and innovations of the past 25 years, celebrating a legacy of
creativity and ingenuity.
An Ocean of Creativity: An Interactive Upcycling Workshop
Thursday 23rd May will see a drop-in workshop, a collaborative effort between Humanscale and Are You
Mad, a conscious creative agency. Discarded fishing nets are a major threat to our oceans. But what if
they could be transformed into something wonderful? Join Humanscale and Are You Mad for an inspiring
drop-in workshop where visitors will not only learn how to transform reclaimed plastic from UK shores
into one-of-a kind gifts but will also be contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The Humanscale showroom welcomes visitors daily from 10am to 6pm throughout Clerkenwell Design
Week.
Humanscale will also host the Design Guild Awards on Tuesday 21st May from 11am
Umbrella & Wagstaff
Eleven dedicated brand presentations from key partners will lead visitors through a journey of circular
design solutions, while the stage area hosts two panel debates, furniture workshops a dedicated CPD
Sustainability presentation.
Umbrella + Friends Partner Exhibitions
‘Umbrella + Friends’ presents a partnership of twelve carefully selected brands that are leading the way
in circular design. A unique, immersive exhibition Edsbyn, FDB Møbler, Isomi, Jott Studio, Le Klint Lighting,
Normann Copenhagen, Square Bear, Swedese, T6, Ton and True Design and Waste to Wonder will each
present beautifully curated room settings that celebrate both new and current products from their
collections.
‘Journey to Circular Design’ | Panel Debate by Roddy Clarke, OnOffice magazine
Tuesday 21 May 6 –7pm. Join Umbrella & Wagstaff for a panel discussion on The Journey to Circular
Design. Join an insightful discussion which examines how, through the power of collaboration and an
open dialogue, a greener future can be achieved, and a circular mindset can become an industry norm.
Chaired by Roddy Clarke from OnOffice Magazine, and an esteemed panel comprising of Alexander Reed
(Hd of Procurement & Product Development, Edsbyn), Matt Redding (Associate, Gensler), Paul Croft
(Design Director, Isomi), Zefa Morgan (Project lead, MCM) and Paul Curtis (Hd of Operations, Waste to
Wonder).
Sample Circularity in Design – Lunchtime CPD Talk by Swatchbox
Wednesday 22nd May 1.00 – 2.00pm.Sample pioneers Swatchbox will delve into the global issue of sample
waste and what they’re doing to support a more circular and sustainable sample experience for the built
environment community.
‘How are you washing your greens’ | Panel Debate by Mick Jordan, WORKS magazine
Wednesday 22nd May 6.00-7.00pm Investigating the complex landscape of sustainability and
environmental accreditations available within the industry, what these accreditations mean, what they
are designed to achieve and how they’re being employed – marketing or for the environment? Compared
by Mick Jordan of Works Magazine and with a panel consisting of Lucy Bagshaw, (Project Director,
Sustainability lead TP Bennett), Ana Rita Martins, (Sustainability Lead MCM), Georgia Elliott-Smith,
(Environmental Consultant Ethos), Colin Macgadie (Co-Founder, For Everyday Life) and Rachel Merriman
(HD of Office Management, FA Premier League).
Silen
As well as utilising one of their UK resellers showrooms to showcase their pods at Kinnarps, Silen will
also be present in the heart of Clerkenwell at Project on the Green situated at Clerkenwell Green. A wellknown hub for contract furniture and surface brands to be brought together, Silen will be using this
space to display their portable Outdoor office pod and the Space 1 rental pod.
Visitors to the Clerkenwell Green will be able to see in person just how inspiring an outdoor pod can be.
Discover inspiration under the sky, Silen Outdoor pods are the perfect place to bring ideas to life a
comfortable, functional and most importantly inspiring space that can be transported to any outdoor
space work and collaborate in snowy wildernesses, green parks or hot pavements of a mid-summer city
site.
Design Hotspots
Celebrating its acoustic properties the outdoor pod will host Design Hotspots a round table from 11am
on Thursday 23 May hosted by William Knight (Renew Consultancy and Material Matters) , the round
table will focus on a discussion about the value and experience of design events, festivals and trade
shows around the world. On the panel are Pallavi Dean (ROAR Studios), Siddharth Peters (Love That
Design), Amber Peters (Bluehaus) and Lee Roberts (Zebra)
Drop into the pod to sample traditional Estonian pastries and coffee each morning of Clerkenwell Design
week from 9.30 am to 11.30 am or drop in for pre-evening drinks and try Estonian gin cocktails from
17.30pm whilst also experiencing the exceptional acoustic qualities of the pods.
Design Meets
As part of Design Meets on Wednesday 22 May at 12pm Sector Dissection is a panel discussion looking
at what different sectors learn from one another the panel comprises experts from workplace,
hospitality, education and residential design discussing the differences in design process, supply chains
as well as the actual finished environments as boundaries blur between the spaces we work, live and
play. Chaired by Alys Bryan (Managing Editor Design Insider) the panel features Marissa Wallder (Senior
Associate, Resonate Interior Architecture), Lee Roberts (Director, Zebra), Thea Ingram (Director, Stanza
Interior Design) and Mitch James (Associate Director BDG architecture + design).