10 things to do and see at London Design Festival 2023

The 21st London Design Festival is back this September, underlining London's status as a global design hub since its launch in 2003. Spanning nine days and 13 areas across London, the festival will offer a mix of activities such as exhibitions, talks, and workshops. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest in design and creativity right in the heart of London. Continue reading for our round-up of 10 must-see things at this year's London Design Festival.

Aura by Pablo Valbuena

Image: Aura. Pablo Valbuena. 2023. London Design Festival 2023.

#FLODown: The London Design Festival Landmark Project titled Aura is created by Spanish artist Pablo Valbuena and is showcased at St Paul's Cathedral. Organised in collaboration with Artichoke, the installation explores the interplay of time, sound, and light to offer a modern interpretation of the Cathedral. Aura is an interactive installation that translates the Cathedral's sounds into a dynamic line of light, seamlessly blending into the Cathedral's architectural design by Sir Christopher Wren. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and with engineering consultancy by Arup, Aura transforms the experience within St Paul’s into a visual, spectral aura.

Date: 16 - 24 September 2023. Location: St. Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8AD. Price: Free, recommended tickets are booked. Book now. Instagram: @_pablovalbuena_

Spirit of Place by Simone Brewster

Image: Spirit of Place. Simone Brewster Image @l_d_f_official.

#FLODown: Simone Brewster, in collaboration with Amorim, will present Spirit of Place at Strand Aldwych—a display featuring five large sculptural vessels, representing Amorim's cork forest in Portugal. These vessels, reaching up to 2.5m in size, embody key traits vital for the future of cork oak forests: upright expression, drought resistance, regenerative growth, and biodiversity conservation. Brewster visually translates these traits, allowing a London audience to experience and appreciate them.

Date: 16 – 24 September 2023. Location: Strand Aldwych, London WC2R 1ES. Price: Free, no ticket required. Read more. Instagram: @simonebrewster_london

Nice to Meet You Again by Morag Myerscough

Image: Nice to Meet You Again. Morag Myerscough. London Design Festival 2023.

#FLODown: Morag Myerscough and MINI have joined forces to present a vibrant urban experience that melds tradition with technology. The event, titled Nice to Meet You Again, showcases MINI's future vision through an immersive installation at Shoreditch Electric Light Station, embodying Morag's distinctive bold and colourful style. The collaboration highlights shared values of imaginative space use and a commitment to positive mobility solutions. The installation offers a glimpse into a future where spaces are lush with greenery, emphasising human connection and unity. Visitors can engage in workshops, talks, and enjoy the vibrant installation, embodying MINI's 'Big Love' attitude and celebrating the transformative potential of unity.

Date: 16 - 19 September 2023. Location: Shoreditch Electric Light Station, London N1 6NU. Price: Free, no ticket required. Read more. Instagram: @moragmyerscough

Microplastic In The Thames River by Jinxiu Chen&Lu Zheng

Instagram: Microplastic In The Thames River. Jinxiu Chen & Lu Zheng. London Design Festival 2023.

#FLODown: The Thames River Project on microplastic pollution, utilising physical data visualisation and collection, is spearheaded by data visualisation designers Jinxiu Chen and Lu Zheng. They aim to shed light on the widespread presence of microplastics in our daily lives, particularly emphasising high-density areas along the Thames River and its significance as a source of tap water for 70% of London residents. The project involves collecting samples from the river, recreating them in resin to preserve microplastic traces, and presenting the data visually. The ultimate goal is to inspire individuals to adopt more sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices.

Date: 23 September 2023. Time: 1pm – 6pm. Location: Better Bankside Events Arch, Arch 23, 45 Southwark St London SE1 9HP. Price: Free, no ticket required. Read more. Instagram: @greenchnnn and @lunaticlu96

 

The LEGO® Piece Garden

Image: The LEGO® Piece Garden

#FLODown: The LEGO® Piece Garden is a collaborative project by The LEGO® Group and It’s Nice That, inviting Londoners to unleash their creativity in a community garden-like environment. Participants can build LEGO® Botanicals and Art pieces, promoting play, collaboration, and a connection with nature. The space hosts Artists in Residence and workshops, encouraging joyful focus, creativity, and community engagement. The LEGO Adults Welcome range is featured, providing a calming and creative experience for all.

Date: 16 – 24 September 2023. Location: Ace Corner, 149-150 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6HU. Price: Free, no ticket required. Read more.

London Design Fair 2023

Image: London Design Fair. London Design Festival 2023.

#FLODown: The London Design Fair, a significant event in the international design calendar, is set to return from 21- 24 September. As a key component of the London Design Festival, it stands as the foremost platform exhibiting innovative design, renowned brands, global pavilions, and talented creators. Attendees can expect top-tier talks, engaging workshops, and the chance to explore cutting-edge designs, installations, and emerging trends.

Date: 21 – 24 September 2023. Location: Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1 6QL. Price: from £14. Book now. Instagram: @londondesignfair.

Halo by Studio Waldemeyer

Image: Halo. Studio Waldemeyer. London Design Festival 2023.

#FLODown: Halo is a transcendent light installation situated in St. Stephen Walbrook Church, an architectural masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren symbolising London's resilience after the Great Fire of 1666. The installation features a conical pendulum with integrated lights, evoking celestial movement around the church's altar by Henry Moore. The pendulum's circular motion and transformative lighting on the church's dome create a meditative experience, blending contemporary art with spiritual motifs. Halo invites viewers to appreciate history, art, and spirituality, offering a journey into the past and an exploration of the ethereal.

Date: 16-24 September 2023.Location: St Stephen Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN. Price: Free, no ticket required. Read more. Instagram: @ststephenwalbrook.

The Localist Cafe by Six Dots Design

Image: Six Dots Design Presents: The Localist Cafe. London Design Festival 2023.

#FLODown: Six Dots Design invites visitors to Shoreditch Arts Club to experience The Localist Café, a functional space showcasing over 40 London and UK creatives, makers, and manufacturers. The cafe allows guests to appreciate locally crafted objects, from chairs in Peckham to cutlery in Walthamstow and crockery in Elephant and Castle. This initiative, featuring works by Common Design, Matan Fadida, and Fred Rigby Studio, aims to highlight the value of locally made products.

Date: 21 – 23 September 2023. Location: Shoreditch Arts Club, London E27DD. Price: £5. Book now.

Greenwich Peninsula Art Trail

Image: Poured Staircase. Ian Davenport. Greenwich Peninsula. September 2023. © MTotoe.

#FLODown: The Partner Programme event at Greenwich Peninsula is an ongoing affair, remaining open 24 hours each day. The event is in-person, free of charge, and doesn't require a ticket. Attendees can immerse themselves in art and various installations, including a public art trail showcasing the work of renowned artists such as Damien Hirst, Morag Myerscough, Studio Morison, Ian Davenport, and more. Explorers can navigate the art trail and obtain a map at the NOW Gallery.

Date: 16 – 24 September 2023. Location: Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 0ES. Price: In Person, Free, no ticket required. Read more. Instagram: @greenwich.peninsula

V&A and London Design Week Collaboration

Image: 'Unstruck Melody' by Nirbhai (Nep) Singh Sidhu and Without Shape Without Form. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

#FLODown: The Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington (V&A) will collaborate with the London Design Festival for an exciting 2023 program, unveiling innovative installations that celebrate the transformative power of design. 'Part Exchange' will repurpose a car's components into domestic objects. 'She Still Wears Kohl and Smells like Roses' will reimagine blown glass vessels. 'Hana Mikoshi' will feature a seating installation adorned with 50,000 sakura-inspired washi paper flowers. 'Unstruck Melody' will explore Sikh teachings through tapestry and film. 'Maya: The Birth of a Superhero' will depict a girl's journey into womanhood and strength. The festival will also host the Global Design Forum, focusing on design's accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. The V&A will also host a Friday Late that will highlight community wisdom in design.

Date: 16 September - 15 October 2023. Location: Various locations, check associated events. Price: Free. Book now.

Material Matters 2023

Image: Material Matters 2023. London Design Festival 2023.

#FLODown: Material Matters 2023 is back at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, following a successful debut. This fair showcases global brands, designers, and makers, focusing on the significance of materials in design and architecture. It occupies all five floors of the iconic venue in London's Bankside Design District, presenting innovations in material use and intelligence. Danish textile designer Tanja Kirst demonstrates creative use of materials like orange peel and seaweed. The event includes displays by innovators, experimentalists, and market-ready products. The fair also hosts the Wood Awards exhibition showcasing exceptional wood-centric work.
Date: 20 – 23 September 2023. Location: Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London, SE1 9PH. Price: from £0 -12. Book now.

London Design Festival 2023 takes place from 16-24 September 2023. Location: This year's edition takes place across 13 areas in the city: Bankside, Battersea, Brompton, Chelsea, Dalston to Stokey, Fitzrovia, Greenwich Peninsula, Islington, Kings Cross, Mayfair, Park Royal, Shoreditch and Southwark.

Website: londondesignfestival.com. Instagram: @l_d_f_official