London Design Festival unveils design districts and destinations for 2017

The organisers of London Design Festival (LDF) have revealed the full programme for its 2017 edition.

The festival is set to return for nine days this September, with more than 400 different events, exhibitions and installations taking place across the capital.

A number of established hubs will be returning for 2017’s festival, including Clerkenwell design quarter, Shoreditch design triangle and Brixton design trail.

Known for its array of design showrooms, studios and architectural practices, many of Clerkenwell’s businesses will open their doors for the duration of the festival this year. Swiss furniture company Vitra will host an installation celebrating the famous Eames Plastic Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1950, while industrial designer Jack Trench is opening his first permanent showroom during the festival.

“Love is Power”

Representing creative industries from all over East London, Shoreditch will play host to a variety of product launches, installations, talks and tours. Lee Broom is set to create an installation of some of his most notable designs to mark his 10-year-long association with the festival, Indian Design Platform by Create Culture will return with an exhibition of work by some of India’s leading graphic designers, and an exhibition of designs by multidisciplinary designer Bethan Laura Wood will go on display at Oneroom.

Meanwhile, an installation called Breathing Space will look to provide an oasis for pedestrians and cyclists in the midst of the city, using real time data to explore the effects of pollution, and Camille Walala will take over Exchange Square in Broadgate with one of her trademark, colourful installations.

Returning under the theme of “Love is Power”, Brixton design trail will see installations including Silent Arch by Bharat and Jean, which will reference the controversial redevelopment of Brixton’s railway arches in a structure made from lightweight, acoustic panels, and design studio The Edible Bus Stop’s project transforming public benches and seats in the area with “Razzle Dazzle” camouflage patterns.

Other design districts set to return include Bankside, Brompton, Chelsea and Islington, while Mayfair and Pimlico Road have been added to the line-up for 2017.

Trade shows

Five trade shows will also return this year, including 100% Design, which will showcase 400 UK and international brands under the theme “Elements”, and London Design Fair, which will host a US guest country pavilion.

Other tradeshows running during the festival are Decorex International, Designjunction and Focus/17.

LDF director Ben Evans, says: “Each of the nine districts allow you to immerse yourself in the design personality of each area. They are all distinct and different and reflect how varied London’s design story is. Above all, they offer an abundance of choice. You can discover a lot of new design all within a short walking distance of each other.”

The London Design Festival will run from 16-24 September 2017 at venues across London.