It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the 11th installment of Clerkenwell Design Week. After a two-year absence, it was certainly back with a buzz.
This year, we were able to welcome visitors to our very own showroom, and what a reaction we received at 20 Clerkenwell Green. Let’s talk details. Determined to introduce ourselves to EC1 in a memorable fashion, we took the opportunity to celebrate colour, form and expression. From pattern and herringbones to colour-block clashes, we wanted to leave to a lasting impression and demonstrate the outstanding versatility of our imaginative designs.
Our inspiration, we hear you ask? A concept of ‘random chaos’ to instill a sense of happiness and optimism.
The talk of CDW22
It shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that health, happiness, and well-being was a big conversation topic. Having climbed even further up the agenda in a post-pandemic world. Its newfound status is certainly reflected in how we approach our interiors. For us, and many others, our message was clear. Expressive design shouldn’t be reserved for the finishing touches. It starts, and feeds, from the floor and walls.
A similar conversation happened at Spa Fields, where we learned plants should be part of the fabric, not just the landscape. Sam McCarthy, design and development lead at Plant Design, London’s leading design-led interior landscaping company, treated audiences ‘in conversation’ to a talk on biophilic design and the importance of investing in plants. “We feel better and perform better when surrounded by nature,” explained Sam.
He told us: “In Japan, GPs and health professionals are prescribing nature, referred to as forest baby. People spend an allotted time in nature to help lower blood pressure, reduce stress and restore fatigue.
“People want to be close to nature. We are emotionally connected to plants. What’s more, plants grow over time and transform spaces. They naturally evolve and help change the way spaces are used in the future.”
Tom Dixon and the metaverse
No introduction is needed, but British designer Tom Dixon opened the conversation series with WGSN’s, Bethan Ryder. When asked what drives him, Tom simply answered: “Boredom” while laughing. Then, “perhaps childlike enthusiasm”.
Away from form and function, Bethan asked Tom about the future, and Tom’s thoughts on the Metaverse (in the simplest terms, the metaverse is the internet, but in 3D). He answered: “I think it's going to become more universal and it's going to allow us to do things a bit more like Zoom, but the thought of being trapped in a headset terrifies me, and I think you have to balance it with real life.”
"I don't buy the idea that we're going to be completely bionic. We know it's quite dangerous in terms of how people behave and the impact on how social people are, and fake news, so I think it's a tricky one. I love using it for showing people around a space that we haven't built yet or making fantastical things that we'll never be able to build, but I think it could be quite dangerous."
We could not agree more. The future of the workplace is also a big conversation throughout Clerkenwell. Visiting fremgroup at its new London showroom, we were shown innovative office environments with high-quality acoustics; including collaborative spaces to meet as a team, private work or pod areas, and alternative work settings in an agile capacity.
Missed us at Clerkenwell
Our new Karndean showroom welcomes architects, interior designers, and specifiers to explore our full range of products. Make room in your diary to visit us and make an appointment.