This post is brought to you by Clerkenwell Design Week.

Clerkenwell Design Week is less than a month away and with the festival celebrating its 8th year in May 2017 (23-25), it will be quite the celebration! CDW has firmly established itself as the UK’s leading independent design festival and annually attracts the international design community to this small area of London for three days of exciting events. 

Home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, Clerkenwell is truly one of the most important design hubs in the world. To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a showcase of leading UK and international brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area.

Highlights this year include some of CDW’s most ambitious installations yet, such as The Beacon,  a 7.5m tall structure located at the entrance to Design Fields and inspired by the Tower of Babel. The installation will give visitors the chance to climb up the internal staircase to a spectacular viewing platform in walking distance of the specially designed talks pavilion hosting this year’s Conversations at Clerkenwell. Nearby will be Buzzijungle by Buzzispace, a playful elevated work-lounge space that visitors can climb, lounge and meet in. 

Aldworth James & Bond will be designing Order using the octagonal form inspired by the Cross of St John. The structure will celebrate the arch as a gateway to the design festival with its design firmly rooted in the rich history of Clerkenwell.

Meanwhile Hakwood will unveil Double Vision, a 4 meter high structural installation of recursive patterns nestled within the historic Clerkenwell Close. Double Vision will be a double panelled structure, which aims to create an uplifting moment whilst walking the exhibition route. 

The Next Generation Design Pavilion returns for the second year and sees GCSE students from across the city responding to a challenging brief. The stunning bridge will be located in the serene Garden of St James.

As well as hosting an abundance of furniture and interiors showrooms, Clerkenwell is also home to a variety of other creative practices including architects, branding agencies and craft studios. The Fringe programme is a selection of 25 local architecture practices, galleries and creative studios who will open their doors to CDW visitors.  Packed full of exciting events, installations and a host of workshops from the likes of the Museum of London and Bleeding Heart Yard, Fringe is not to be missed!

Over 90 showrooms will take part in the festival, including Pentagon Tiles who will be opening a new space on Leather Lane, Vitra will be launching a limited edition Panton Chair in ‘Sunlight’— a clear shade of yellow that has its origins in Verner Panton’s classic world of colour. Meanwhile Milliken host a party night with guest DJ legendary designer Pam Hogg, fashion illustration workshops with London College of Fashion lecturer Ana Stankovic-Fitzgerald and ‘draw a Clerkenwell character’ workshops with the Bloody Bishop.

What’s more, as Clerkenwell is packed to the rafters with world-leading, exquisite restaurants and eateries. The festival have partnered with 25 food and drink outlets who will offer up a variety of discounts and deals, redeemed by visitors who show their pink lanyard. Take your pick from the likes of Luca, Sosharu, Palatino, and the delicious offerings at Wedge Issue Pizza.

Clerkenwell Design Week is free to attend, but be sure to register for your badge and enjoy.

Register here