Cultural events and Interior designs: Shoreditch Design Triangle 2023 plays host to both progressive and formal creative designs during London Design Festival

Shoreditch just north of the financial district of London - the City - has long established itself as an inspirational district for post-industrial spaces and new developments led by architects and the creative industries, joined by professionals in the arts, retailers, as well as cutting-edge restaurants of international culinary cuisines.  Its design scene continues to evolve and inspire, making it a dynamic and influential part of London's cultural fabric.

As part of the London Design Festival, the Shoreditch Design Triangle 2023 returns for the 15th consecutive year with a comprehensive programme of events and a host of product launches, exhibitions, installations, workshops, open studios and much more to showcase the area's distinctive creative scene.

SCP

SCP, a producer of high quality contemporary furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories established in London in 1985 by Sheridan Coakley,  presents Soft Power, an exhibition of sustainable design and enduring ideas at the SCP Showroom during the London Design Festival. 

SCP

Soft Power features four different shows under one roof.  Among the main exhibits on the Ground Floor of their Curtain Road Showroom is a new collection by British architect and designer John Pawson for Wonderglass, an Italian family owned company founded in 2013 by father and son Maurizio and Christian Mussati  who promote and preserve the skills and techniques of the Venetian master glassmakers.  The show also features Berg, a coffee table, alongside three different lighting designs; Sleeve, Horizon and Pendant Tube.

Berg at SCP.

Also shown is Sons of Beasley by Carl Clerkin and Alex Hellum, following the success of The Beasley Brothers Repair shop by Carl Clerkin (and friends) at the Eternally Yours exhibition at Somerset House last year. Carl went onto present Sons of Beasley at the Material Matters exhibition at the OXO Bargehouse during LDF.  This time, SCP invited Carl and Alex back to continue the Sons of Beasley experiment, this time, focusing on making chairs and stools, items that are notoriously difficult to make at a price that anyone can afford.  Visitors are able to enjoy a fully equipped live workshop on the ground floor of SCP, staffed by Carl, Alex and friends, all of whom will be making things by-hand, from offcuts, components and materials donated by various furniture manufacturers. 

On the 1st floor of the SCP showroom is the new SCP 2023 Collection is by Matthew Hilton, Philippe Malouin, Donna Wilson, Wilkinson & Rivera and Terence Woodgate. This collection is exclusively of sustainable upholstery designs; sofas and armchairs, all made by-hand at SCP’s specialist upholstery factory in Norfolk, England.  This year, for the first time ever, all of the SCP designs on show are foam free. Foam, being petrochemical based, is the key unsustainable material in modern upholstery, and SCP believe it has to be removed from products to ensure they are truly sustainable.  The 2023 Collection features four new sofas and three new armchairs, "blending together the ornate with the restrained, the extravagant with the classical, in a collection that explores soft power."

Over at the newly expanded showroom/retail shop of Lee Broom, one of the UK’s leading product designers and a premium global design brand, are new editions of the designer's highly acclaimed lighting pieces to complement his brand of luxury furniture. 

Lee Broom

The new editions include the Altar Wall Light and Chant Surface Light, as well as best sellers such as Vesper, Orion, Aurora Ring, and others.

Lee Broom

Showing in the Vitra and Artek showroom, in the basement, is the Hackability of the Stool, developed by Tokyo-based architect Daisuke Motogi of DDAA Lab.  Motogi has had fun creating 100 ideas altering the classic Stool 60 designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933.  This fundamental of furniture items has been in continuous production since its inception and 2023 marks its 90th anniversary.

As explained, Motogi and his creative lab DDAA initiated the project Hackability of the Stool back in 2019, when commissioned to create a space for a community for collective impact initiatives. When asked to provide 150 stools for visitors attending a large-scale event, Motogi and DDAA Lab decided to invite members of the community to discuss what a stool actually is, identifying which functions it should have. 

During a workshop, the participants brought up numerous suggestions, which were consolidated into the idea of a multifunctional stool. Instead of designing a new product, DDAA Lab opted for adding the requested functions to an already existing stool: Artek’s Stool 60, defined as "a masterpiece of modernist design, for the fact that it is made of wood, thus easy to modify, and stackable, thus easy to store."  Hackability of the Stool is on until 6th October.

Tala

In the heart of the thriving Shoreditch triangle is the new permanent showroom of light-bulb specialist Tala.  The space, designed by local architect Thomas Longley, space was formerly a men's fashion boutique.  The showroom features recycled and low-impact materials throughout, and caters for both end consumers and trade professionals. 

Tala

Shoreditch's transformation from historically a working-class and industrial area to a hub of creativity, culture and innovation, can be traced back to the 1990s when artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs began to move into the area, attracted by its affordable rents and industrial spaces. This influx of creative individuals laid the groundwork for the neighborhood's transition into a creative and design-focused community.

As Shoreditch gained popularity among creative professionals and entrepreneurs, it started to undergo a process of gentrification. Abandoned warehouses, factories, and Victorian buildings were repurposed into art galleries, studios, co-working spaces, and fashionable boutiques. This regeneration brought about a mix of new businesses, residents, and visitors, reshaping the neighborhood's identity.

The large central bar of the recently opened Shoreditch branch of the
"Sticks 'N' Sushi" restaurant known for its  
unique fusion of authentic Japanese flavours and sleek Scandinavian design.

As a result of the influx of creative minds, the neighborhood became known for its avant-garde art galleries, cutting-edge fashion boutiques, and innovative architectural projects. The diverse range of design disciplines found in Shoreditch includes graphic design, industrial design, fashion design, digital media, and more.

The neighborhood's fusion of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship has influenced other parts of London and even other global cities seeking to cultivate similar creative hubs.

All photos by Lucia Carpio.