Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) will return for its fifth year in 2014, having achieved record success last May.
For 2014, the traditional structure of the three-day festival has been re-curated into four focused exhibitions, housed in Clerkenwell’s most historic buildings. The Design Factory will present high-profile international brands in the Farmiloe Building; Detail will show high-end interiors and decoration in the majestic Priory Church at the Order of St John, and Platform will showcase talented up-and-coming designers in the subterranean Victorian prison at The House of Detention. A new section, Additions will take over the Crypt on the Green at St. James Church, exhibiting small design pieces and accessories.
Alongside four central venues, CDW’s showroom partners, integral to the festival, will once more open their doors to the public; showrooms, studios and galleries will showcase the most innovative projects in architecture and design, whilst bringing the festival together by curating a series of talks, seminars and workshops with leading industry specialists.
As an annual three-day festival, CDW has consistently increased its influence and reach in the international architecture and design arena. In 2013, 54,000 visitors registered to attend – an increase of 50% on the previous year: 27% were architects and developers, 21% interior designers, 22% product designers and manufacturers, and 11% buyers and retailers.
Growing year on year, 2013 saw over 250 design brands exhibit across a series of pop-up exhibitions and open showrooms within the square mile of central Clerkenwell, from Erwan Bouroullec and Patricia Urquiola, to Giulio Cappellini and Ross Lovegrove. Over 35 countries were represented by exhibitors, whilst a 7% rise in international visitors (2012-2013) saw guests from over 100 countries attending the festival.
Now established as one of the key international design festivals, CDW was awarded Best Festival and Best Cultural Event by the UK Event Awards in 2012, and Best Live Event by AEO Awards in 2013.
CDW 2014 will issue full details of events, collaborations and participants in the months leading up to the festival. Next year's event will take place from 20th-22nd May.
