Yes, it’s officially back. Clerkenwell Design Week 2022 will run for three days next month from the 24 to 26 May. Here is all you need to know to plan your visit
Celebrating its eleventh edition, the festival will take over this influential design and architecture district with 10 exhibition venues; the popular Conversations in Clerkenwell talks programme; plus the usual cornucopia of open studios and participating showrooms.
Exhibitions at Clerkenwell Design Week
CDW’s exhibitions are hosted in distinctive spaces – both purpose built and historical venues. The organisers make it really easy for you to find your way with the famous pink trail running through the centre of EC1.
For 2022 there are ten exhibitions, each with a different curatorial focus, ranging from cutting edge international design, to emerging talent, lighting, luxury interiors and the best of British.
New for 2022 is Covered, sponsored by RAK Ceramics, an exhibition dedicated to interior surfaces. Forming part of a new festival location in Charterhouse Square, Covered will display surface design and material innovation. Meanwhile, Contract presents the latest products for commercial interiors.
POP, the former cold store turned nightclub, will be an essential visit, hosting pop-up brands and immersive experiences throughout the three days of CDW.
Conversations at Clerkenwell
Conversations at Clerkenwell always prompts lively debates and discussions on the current design scene. This year the talks series is taking place across the week in a specially designed venue in Spa Fields. Curated by Katie Richardson, Conversations at Clerkenwell brings to life topics of the day with leading and emerging designers, architects, thought leaders and creative institutes. I’m moderating a couple of talks on the main stage, so if you are there please pop over to say hello.
The Spa Fields stage has been designed by Fieldwork Architects as a re-imagining of a Victorian bandstand. Daily yoga sessions will also take place in the space from 9.00 am
Showrooms
Integral to the festival are the local design showrooms, who partner with CDW, providing the festival with a stimulating programme of topic-led events including talks, workshops and product launches. These participating companies include high-end furniture, lighting, kitchen and bathroom brands and also material manufacturers
For a full list of all the showrooms taking part in CDW just click here
Fringe acrivities
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. In celebration of CDW’s return, many of these local practices will throw open their doors to the festival’s visitors and host workshops, displays and installations. Details are here
Food and drink
There really is no shortage of places to grab a coffee or lunch round the Clerkenwell area. If it’s hot, the ice cream van does a roaring trade or you can saunter up to Exmouth Market for a fine selection of eateries, including my favourite Moro.
There are also various discounts available for those sporting a pink CDW lanyard. Details are here
(Image at the top shows Arte wallcovering. Exhibiting at Detail, in the Order of St John)