Clerkenwell Design Week Returns: Bigger, Bolder, More Inspiring

Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) returns from 20–22 May 2025 with its most ambitious edition to date. Spanning over 15 venues and featuring more than 160 design showrooms, this year’s festival promises a vibrant programme of installations, exhibitions, talks, and international brand showcases.

Brick from a Stone: Arch Revival from Albion Stone and Hutton Stone in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown and Webb Yates

Brick and Water Installations

At the heart of the festival is a major new public artwork by British artist Alex Chinneck, located in Charterhouse Square. Known for his architectural illusions, Chinneck’s interactive installation revisits his signature sculptural language using repurposed steel and brick, supported by Cleveland Steel, Crittall Windows, FabSpeed, and Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC.

Clerkenwell Green will also feature Brick from a Stone: Arch Revival, a striking dual-arch pavilion by Hawkins\Brown and Webb Yates, celebrating the enduring strength and elegance of British stone. Sponsored by Albion Stone and Hutton Stone, the arches demonstrate the expressive power of ultra-thin stone bricks.

String Pocket shelving from String Furniture

New International Collections

Scandinavian design takes centre stage this year with HAY, Muuto, String Furniture, and Kasthall among the standout names. Muuto introduces its new Beam and Strand lamps, while Mater showcases the sustainable Terra lighting collection made from e-waste and coffee shells.

HAY Quilton sofa by Doshi Levien

Spanish, Austrian, Danish, Italian, and German brands also feature prominently, including the introduction of a new Spanish Collection and the return of Platform, British Collection, and international pavilions across EC1.

Mater Terra lamps by OEO Studio

Muuto Beam table lamp by Tom Chung

Design Competitions and Collaborations

In partnership with Dezeen, CDW launches the Shaping Water design competition, inviting creatives to propose a water-inspired installation for the historic St John’s Gate. The winning designer will receive a £5,000 prize and £15,000 towards realisation, with shortlisted entries exhibited at Ideal Standard’s showroom.

New Pluck x Schotten & Hansen kitchen furniture range

Talks, Exhibitions, and Teaware

The Conversations at Clerkenwell series brings 18 live sessions curated by Katie Richardson and hosted for the first time at The Charterhouse, with speakers including Sabine Marcelis and PearsonLloyd. Fringe event New Forms: Tea & Contemporary Design by Newby London and The Goldsmiths’ Centre explores modern teaware through the lens of leading UK silversmiths and ceramicists.

Larsen Pampa wallcovering

Zitozza Toytown printed collection

Special Commission: Automatica

Italgraniti Group teams up with Simon Astridge Architecture Workshop to debut Automatica, a bespoke installation to be unveiled during the festival.

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 takes place across London’s EC1 from 20–22 May. Registration is now open at clerkenwelldesignweek.com.