HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams – All photos Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

Design – Stirling prize-winning architecture studio Stanton Williams teamed up with British stone supplier LSI Stone and engineering company Webb Yates to create HENGE, a circular stone structure inspired by prehistoric architecture, inviting people to engage with it creatively.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

HNGE is inspired by the more than 1,300 Neolithic stone circles and monuments scattered across Britain, Ireland, and Brittany. The installation comprises 150 million-year-old Jurassic limestone, a zero-carbon, recyclable material mottled with terrazzo-style imperfections. From the dinosaurs’ era to one of London’s future-driven districts, the unexpected arena creates quite a sharp contrast to reflect upon.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

Thirty slabs joined by wooden elements create a circular stage with comfy seats. At its center is a wooden podium inviting those who work, live, and visit the area to stand up for public performances. Lighting and sound design-specific contents accentuate the installation’s architecture and play against its rich, textured surfaces.

“Entering stone circles is a magical experience and a very physical one, which allows us to connect to something outside of time,” says Alan Stanton, Principle Director of Stanton Williams.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

“HENGE is a space for contemplation, as well as a welcoming arena for performances.” Explain at Stanton Williams. The gathering place attracts and welcomes larger groups of people. Spontaneous performances, music, and poetry readings take place within and around the structure.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

The installation was commissioned by London Design Festival for its 20th edition at Canary Wharf in Wren Landing square and will be open 24h until October 20 [Free access, Map].

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

Stone is an emerging trend at LDF 2022: Sabine Marcelis created swiveling seats in collaboration with surface-supplier SolidNature in St. Giles Square. At the V&A, Niccolo Casas and Spanish design brand Nagami 3D printed a sculpture made from upcycled marine plastic that resembles rock formations.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

All photos are by Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of the London Design Festival 2022.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.

HENGE BY Stanton Williams - PHOTO BY Mark Cocksedge, courtesy of LDF 2022.