London 2019 – Hyper-local works by independent designers, a celebration of Italian design icons and a scavengers-project transforming discarded bikes into urban furniture. We rounded up 7 of the best exhibitions on show at LDF2019.

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Designing in turbulent times

Sept. 14-22 @ Central Saint Martin, LVMH & Maison/0, Lethaby Ggallery, 1 Granary Square, EC1V 9AB [Map].

The exhibition showcases graduate projects from Central Saint Martins, offering disruptive and compelling propositions for more sustainable and equitable futures.

Above, Qiang Huang’s Bike Scavengers project encourages people to disassemble millions of discarded bikes on the streets and turn them into useful objects from a bench of saddles to mudguard lamps.

VOID by Dan Tobin Smith

Sept. 14-22 @ Collins Music Hall, Islington, N1 2XH [Map].

LDF photographer Dan Tobin Smith has created Void, an immersive animation of gemstone inclusions set inside Collins Music Hall in London’s Islington. Visitors become part of an immersive, galaxy-like light performance, traveling through a series of large-scale projections that showcase the expanded space inside gemstones and map the blurring boundaries between nature and design.

Crossover

Sept. 19-22 @ London Design Fair / Old Truman Brewery, Floor 3, H14 – E1 6QR [Map].

At London Design Fair, digital design platform Adorno focuses on hyper-local design in the intersection of design, art, and crafts. The exhibition features the work of independent international designers with more than one eye on maintaining and renewing today’s design and crafts while facilitating a cross-cultural dialogue.

Färg & Blanche’s pieces are inspired by a baker and grand father house, milanese architecture and interiors define Vito Nesta’s ‘arched’ furniture while Pedrafuego’s vases and planters harness from PreColombian iconography.

Raw

Sept. 16-23 @ Mint Gallery, 2 North Terrace, SW3 2BA [Map].

Mint curates an innovative exhibition dedicated to unconventional design with a ‘raw’ twist on sustainability and circular design. On show the work of 60 established designers and new talents.

Coal: Post-Fuel by Jesper Eriksson explores the stone-like qualities of coal to create exquisite pieces of furniture. Cypraea luxury brands celebrates Mauritius’ fragile nature with responsible design supporting local environmental associations, Elissa Lacoste’s stools oppose the natural curves of the branches to the geometry of industrial planned boards.

I-Made

20-22 Sept. @ Saatchi Gallery, King’s Rd, SW3 4RY [Map].

At the Saatchi Gallery Giulio Cappellini curated I-Made – the acronym for Italian Manufacture, Art and Design Exhibition -, a celebration of Italian creativity. On show, pieces by more than 50 leading companies such as Molteni&C, Cappellini, Cassina, Moroso, Alias, Ceramica Flaminia, EMU and Porro.

The Take a Seat satellite exhibition pays homage to those who have shaped the history of seating design and features classic furniture designs from brands such as Driade, De Padova and Giorgetti.

Brompton Biotopia

Sept. 14-22 @ Thurloe Square, SW7 2SR [Map].

Brompton Design District presents Brompton Biotopia, a series of micro-architectures for birds and insects designed to support urban biodiversity. Marlène Huissoud, Interaction Research Studio at Goldsmiths and Material Architecture Lab by Daniel Widrig and Guan Lee have all designed habitats from an animal perspective, exploring the potential applications of natural materials.

The Penthouse

Sept. 18-22 @ 1 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4BY [Map].

Fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic has applied her artistic and unique aesthetic to a three-bedroom duplex penthouse within a refurbished triplet of Grade II-listed, cast iron gasholder guide frames in the heart of London’s King’s Cross. A series of guided tours will offer one-of-a-kind access to the landmark residence. Booking required.

# 7 must-see exhibitions at London Design Festival