King’s Cross is London Design Festival’s hottest district for design, innovation, culture and creativity!
The city’s annual celebration of all things design is back this September. For the third year running, King’s Cross is a dedicated Design District and we couldn’t be more excited! Discover a melting pot of innovation in one of London’s hottest shopping and dining neighbourhoods, with a jam-packed, design-inspired schedule. You’ll uncover a world of creativity through captivating installations, interactive exhibitions, inspiring talks, workshops and events.
The King’s Cross Design District this year focuses on the future of design, from showcasing the ‘material heroes’ that could help address our urgent collective need to transition to a circular economy, to providing a platform for the next generation of design grads. And taking centre stage this year will be Super Nature, an epic King’s Cross initiative using installations and activations to explore design, materials and production methods that have a positive impact on people and the planet. Part of the Super Nature programme shines a light on the carbon negative wonder ingredient, hemp, and its many applications, from cosmetic to clothing and even building material. So you can gawp at eye-catching displays whilst learning more about the world of sustainability!
We’ve lined up some of our favourite events that you really can’t miss
Head to an ‘Illuminated Garden’ in Coal Drops Yard with the return of the popular ‘Space Frames’ – gigantic sculptural frames designed by Studio Mieke Meijer. Or feast your eyes on Super Nature TV’s host of inspiring films. Found within the Illuminated Garden – you’ll learn about circularity, reuse and sustainable systems. Be inspired by the likes of pioneering architects dreaming up the urban spaces of the future and artists transforming waste in magical ways!
Discover an epic ‘Urban Seating’ space in Coal Drops Yard, where you can find prototypes of hexagonal seating, all made from the eco-friendly materials of hemp, clay and lime. Or go and visit a never-before-seen King’s Cross seating installation made from paper! (Yes, paper!) Designed by London-based designers CASA ESTUDIO, the seating is made from Richlite, an FSC-certified recycled paper composite and is weather resistant (amazing right!). Made specifically for King’s Cross, the construction method references the site’s industrial history while its curved edges and exaggerated joins are reminiscent of children’s construction toys.
Or why not explore until you find a 24-hour vending machine like no other! The contactless ‘Hemp Automat’ will stock products from clothing to cosmetics – all made from the planet-friendly, miracle crop hemp. So you can immerse yourself in this impressive design exhibit and treat yourself to the latest eco-conscious delights while you’re at it.
Check out the ‘Material Heroes’ exhibition taking over the ‘Outside Art Project’ in Granary Square. The UAL Climate Emergency Network have invited graduating students to highlight a material ‘hero’ from their final major project – whether microscopic or macro, the selected works address cultural and environmental sustainability. You can even learn more about each project through QR codes linked to the UAL Graduate Showcase!
It’s time to get inspired and broaden your creative horizons with the mind-blowing contemporary design talent and innovative thinkers at the London Design Festival at King’s Cross this year.
Plan your visit and find out more at London Design Festival at King’s Cross here!