Clerkenwell Design Week Returns for 2012 - Establishing London as the Capital of Design

London’s premier celebration of design is preparing for its third showcase in 2012. After attracting record visitors over the last two years, with over 24,000 registered visitors in 2011, CDW 2012 looks to be bigger and better, cementing itself as the UK’s leading architecture and design destination.

Taking place across Clerkenwell from 22-24 May 2012 and sponsored for a second year running by Jaguar, Clerkenwell Design Week unveils a wealth of design and architecture talent, showcasing the newest product and furniture innovations from both home grown and international brands. The three day festival brings together an inspiring and vibrant programme of events – from product launches, parties, auctions, debates and pop-ups to exhibitions, installations, open studios, workshops and more.

Clerkenwell is home to over 60 design showrooms. Some of the confirmed participators at CDW 2012 currently include: Ahrend, Allemuir, The Atkinson Group, Bene, B Loose, Bulo, Boss Design, Cassina, Cappellini, Desso, Forbo, Haworth, Humanscale, InterfaceFlor, Koleksiyon, Kusch + Co, Milliken, Moroso, Orangebox, Poltrona Frau, Steelcase, TOTO and Vitra. Many will be staging exclusive new product launches, talks with high profile speakers, installations and VIP parties.

In addition to the design showrooms throwing open their doors during CDW, site-specific installations and innovative product displays will be exhibited throughout EC1 and within various distinctive buildings not usually open to the public: The Farmiloe Building (a former lead and glass merchants warehouse), The House of Detention (a subterranean Victorian prison) and a number of new venues, still under-wraps, ready to be filled with some exclusively curated and art-led design content.

One of CDW’s confirmed projects, will be devised and realised by Aberrant Architecture, the UK based multi-disciplinary design studio recognised for their interactive projects. The project is set to be one of 2012’s highlights; a tiny travelling pop-up theatre that aims to delight and engage the CDW community by drawing on Clerkenwell’s rich theatrical history. 

A selection of confirmed exhibitors to date at the Farmiloe Building and House of Detention include: Anglepoise, Amitco International, Another Country, Assemblyroom, Bark, Dare Studio, Evil Robot Design, EX-T, Hitch Mylius, Inform Furniture/Swedese, James Burleigh, Jennifer Newman, Junckers, Ligne Roset, Magnus Olessen, Maigrau, Martin Ryan, Material Lab, MDF Agencies/Offecct, Morgan Furniture, Muuto, Ochre, Orsjo, Pad Home/Flux, Vescom, Young & Norgate and Zeitraum.

CDW offers an unrivalled opportunity to see many world launches of new furniture and interiors accessories launched at Milan’s furniture fair in April exhibited in one compact area; an area with more architectural and design practices than anywhere else on the planet.

The Event: Clerkenwell Design Week is a three-day annual festival celebrating design’s creative richness, its social impact and its power for change. Run in partnership by Media 10 and Mix Media Ltd, the event has been established to celebrate Clerkenwell as the heart of the design industry.