What we did at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025
As Clerkenwell’s historic streets once again pulsed with creative energy for the 14th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week, the festival reaffirmed its place as a highlight of the global design calendar. Across three days, the district played host to a vibrant mix of installations, exhibitions, and conversations that celebrated innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration. For arc magazine, this year’s CDW was particularly meaningful, as we participated in and hosted several thought-provoking talks and inspiring partnerships that spotlighted the evolving role of light in design. From moderating a powerful discussion on inclusive design with Zaha Hadid Architects and Erco, to exploring harmony in design with Artemide in our ‘Design In Balance’ panel, and hosting a book launch for a particularly well-known lighting designer, our editorial team was at the heart of the dialogue this year. Here’s a rundown of what went on.
A standout moment for arc had to be the opportunity to participate in a deeper, more meaningful conversation around the role of design in fostering inclusivity. In collaboration with renowned architectural studio Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and German lighting manufacturer Erco, arc’s Editor Matt Waring moderated a thought-provoking panel at ZHA’s London headquarters. The discussion, titled ‘Inclusive Design: Space, Light + Perception’, explored how design can move beyond accessibility checklists to help create environments that are truly welcoming for all. The panel brought together leading voices from across architecture, lighting, and inclusive design, including Amy Rennie (Buro Happold), Katie Gaudion (Royal College of Art), Bidisha Sinha (Zaha Hadid Architects), and Jim Ashley-Down (Erco), each offered their experiences and knowledge working with a range of products from schools to museums.
Reflecting on the conversation, Ashley-Down notes: “I felt we were able to explore some of the most important, and often overlooked, aspects of a complex and evolving subject. What stood out to me is that when it comes to inclusive design, there isn’t a single, definitive answer. Lighting plays a fundamental role in shaping how people perceive and navigate space, making it a critical component in creating environments that welcome and support everyone.” Ashley-Down’s words serve as a reminder that true inclusivity isn’t about reaching a final destination, but about maintaining a commitment to learning, listening, and improving – a mindset the entire panel echoed throughout the session.
On Wednesday, our partnership with Italian lighting brand, Artemide, saw our Managing Editor, Helen Ankers, host ‘Design in Balance’, a thoughtful discussion on the intersection of beauty, performance, and sustainability, particularly in lighting and design. Hosted at The Senator Group, the lunchtime session brought together an inspiring panel of designers and artists, including architect Karen Cook (Spice Design), artist Liz West, and lighting designers Victoria Jerram (Victoria Jerram Lighting Design) and Clementine Fletcher-Smith (Speirs Major Light Architecture). Together, they unpacked the complex balancing act that sits at the heart of contemporary design practice.
Each speaker offered a unique perspective on how they negotiate creativity and constraints in their work. Reflecting on her approach, Karen Cook notes: “Helen asked us what the most important considerations are in our designs and what we are not willing to compromise on, and I believe people inhabiting a space require clarity of form to feel well in their space. Light plays a fundamental role in defining and expressing that clarity of form.”
This idea of light as both a practical and poetic tool was echoed throughout the conversation, from Liz West’s sensory-driven installations to Victoria Jerram and Clementine Fletcher-Smith’s insights into crafting atmospheres that are emotionally resonant and technically precise. The discussion highlighted the importance of freedom in design, as well as the intricacies around balancing client expectations with creating spaces that consider aesthetics, functionality, and connection.
One of the joys of Clerkenwell Design Week is stumbling upon something unexpected, and this year’s art installations did not disappoint, offering playful, provocative interventions throughout the district. In the House of Detention, visitors encountered Feel the Pull by PixelArtworks, a magnetic multi-sensory installation where light and sound responded to invisible forces, creating a hypnotic environment that pulsed, shifted and pulled you deeper.
Elsewhere, architectural practice Jestico + Whiles presented Lumen Drift in Sutton Yard, an evocative collaboration with Architainment Lighting and Studio Fractal. The piece invited visitors to follow the real-life path of Mary Moore and Ann Wade, two women wrongfully imprisoned in Clerkenwell prison and later exiled to Australia, through a tactile forest of illuminated fabrics. Blending narrative, texture, and light, the installation created a poignant journey through history. In keeping with its socially conscious message, materials from Lumen Drift will be donated to the social enterprise Matt + Fiona, with structural elements repurposed for use in Jestico + Whiles’ studio.
The highly anticipated [d]arc thoughts talks programme, sponsored by David Village Lighting, also returned to the House of Detention, with arc hosting conversations with the likes of Conran and Partners, Concrete Amsterdam, dpa lighting consultants, and more. The former Clerkenwell prison also served as the backdrop for the official launch of Stories with Light, a new book written by acclaimed UK lighting designer, Michael Grubb and journalist Francis Pearce. Hosted by [d]arc media, the event was supported by Applelec and GENLED Acolyte, who also provided illuminated illustrations from the book.
Described by its authors as a “cabinet of curiosities”, the book blended storytelling, scientific insights, and cultural commentary to explore light’s multifaceted role in shaping our world, from the everyday to the extraordinary. During a relaxed Q&A session, Grubb and Pearce shared their inspiration for the project and reflected on the unexpected intersections between lighting, design, and human experience. Although not intended to be an “academic” book, it took five years to complete as the pair got lost in their fascination and commitment to delivering truths from the world of light. The book launch finished with an informal drinks party, where fellow designers and industry professionals gathered to celebrate the launch.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 was once again a celebration of design in all its forms – both inclusive and, above all, thoughtful. From thought-provoking panels, immersive installations, and celebratory moments with the likes of Stories with Light, the week offered a reminder of how design connects us all through collaboration, curiosity, and the ability to challenge the status quo. For arc, it was a privilege to help facilitate these conversations and champion the designers and ideas pushing the industry forward.
