Journal

Article

Design District Creates Collaboration: Lois O'Hara

We talk to artist (and shameless sunset chaser) Lois O'Hara as she prepares to bring her colourful vision to Design District.

Article

Culinary pioneers and global flavours — get ready for Design District Canteen

At the heart of Design District, we’ve built Canteen, a stunning plant-filled food hall by Madrid-based architects, SelgasCano. The transparent, cloud-like structure will be home to a bar and six independent culinary entrepreneurs, each handpicked for their originality, enthusiasm and commitment to their craft.

Article

MEET THE TENANTS: ABI HEWITT, CEO OF LOVE WELCOMES

As part of a series of interviews profiling Design District’s tenants, we talk to co-founder and CEO of Love Welcomes - Abi Hewitt, about female empowerment and support.

Article

MEET THE TENANTS: BEN RIGBY, FOUNDER OF HABERDASHERY

As part of a series of interviews profiling Design District’s tenants, we talk to lighting designer, creative director and co-founder of Haberdashery, Ben Rigby, about hard work, generosity and finding the space to be creative.

Article

MEET THE TENANTS: ASHLEY JOINER, FOUNDER OF QUEERCIRCLE

We talk to the founder of Queercircle, Ashley Joiner, in a series of interviews spotlighting our tenants about their creative journeys.

Article

Meet the tenants: Daniel Bailey, founder of Conceptkicks

We talk to the founder of Concept Kicks, Daniel Bailey, in the first of a series of interviews spotlighting our tenants about their creative journeys.

Article

Designing the future workplace

As Design District nears completion, director Helen Arvanitakis reflects on the ways Design District's workspaces are uniquely suited to accommodating post-lockdown hybrid models.

Video

Celebrating women in leadership

This online event brings together two pioneering women, Alessandra Lariu co-founder of SheSays and Roz Barr founder of Roz Barr Architects. Each leaders in their own respective fields, they discuss challenges, working in male-dominated industries and leadership styles.

Article

‘I'm fighting to make possible the (things I thought to be) impossible’

We talk to Alessandra Lariu, co-founder of SheSays about leadership and building a community for creative women - as we embark on a partnership with SheSays hosting a programme of events throughout the year, as well as launching a March mentorship initiative for women in the creative industries.

Article

‘Bureau is a place of optimism’

We talk to Roz Barr on designing the interiors of Bureau - a new members club at the heart of Design District, that prioritises not just space to think and do, but shared knowledge, chance encounters and wellbeing. What is it like to be designing in a pandemic, not for a pandemic?

Video

Thriving: Reflections for the future maker

Jemima Burrill in conversation with spatial designer and artist Simone Brewster and textile designer Sarah Campbell

For Design District’s latest lunchtime event, we meet two makers of different generations who’ve both made their mark by breaking the rules. Host Jemima Burrill (curator at Greenwich Peninsula’s NOW Gallery) talks to them about creativity, collectivity and constant engagement.

Article

A Springboard for Creatives

It’s time to start looking to the future. With London’s creative community reeling from the impact of the pandemic, Design District has committed to playing an important part in its recovery — announcing a 12-month across-the-board rent reduction to just £5 per sqft for all tenants.

Event

Thriving: Reflections for the future maker

4 Dec, 1:00 PM

Jemima Burrill in conversation with spatial designer and artist Simone Brewster and textile designer Sarah Campbell.

Event

Getting Published

20 Nov, 1:00 PM

Jemima Burrill in conversation with photographer Taran Wilkhu and senior editor at Wallpaper* magazine Nick Compton

Video

Meet Hannah Corlett, HNNA (part two)

with Jemima Burrill, curator and cultural consultant to NOW Gallery

The final event in the current Meet the Architects series sees the return of Hannah Corlett, Founding Director of HNNA. Having previously spoken about her work on Design District’s masterplan, the focus this time is on the two buildings she’s brought to Greenwich Peninsula’s new heart.

Article

Meet Design District Creatives: Taran Wilkhu

For the first in a series of interviews with some of the many creative talents involved in Design District, we spoke with architecture, interiors and lifestyle photographer, Taran Wilkhu. 

Video

Meet David Saxby, Architecture 00

with Jemima Burrill, curator and cultural consultant to NOW Gallery

For the penultimate event in this series, Jemima Burrill speaks to David Saxby of collaborative studio Architecture 00. The pair were joined by Saxby’s fellow co-founder Lynton Pepper for a discussion taking in open source furniture, defending buildings from air rifle attacks and the Design District rooftop basketball court.

Video

Zoom or Room? The Future of Collaboration

In the Age of Uncertainty, what can business and design learn from each other?

Video

Meet Adam Khan, Adam Khan Architects

with Jemima Burrill, curator and cultural consultant to NOW Gallery

Broadcaster Jon Snow has described Adam Khan as ‘one of the most inspiring, original and committed architects of his generation.’ For the eighth talk in the series, Jemima Burrill spoke with Khan about collaboration, domesticity, picnic blanket architecture and beauty-as-sustainability.

Video

Meet Alberto Veiga, Barozzi Veiga

Design District’s series of online lunchtime talks resumes with architect Alberto Veiga, one half of Barcelona-based practice Barozzi Veiga. For this edition, Wallpaper* editor Nick Compton takes the helm.

Video

Meet Oliver Schulze, Schulze + Grassov

For the latest edition of Design District’s lunchtime series, regular host Jemima Burrill spoke with the project’s urban designer, Oliver Schulze of Copenhagen-based studio Schulze+Grassov. The pair discussed Schulze’s life and influences, ideas around difference and universality, and the importance of generosity in placemaking.

Video

Meet Hannah Corlett, HNNA Architects

The second of Design District's Friday lunchtime Meet the Architects series introduced us to Hannah Corlett, founder of HNNA. Corlett is not only the architect behind two of the District’s buildings, but also the creator and coordinator of its ambitious masterplan.

Video

Meet Meredith Bowles, Mole Architects

Last week, Design District launched its new Meet the Architects series with a talk from Meredith Bowles of Mole Architects, one of the eight practices behind the development’s 16 buildings.

Event

Meet the Design District Architects

22 May—6 Nov

Join us together with Jemima Burrill, curator and cultural consultant to NOW Gallery, as we chat with the 9 Architects behind the 16 buildings and public space in the Design District in our bi-weekly 'Meet the Design District Architects' online talk series.

The interviews will be hosted on Zoom with the opportunity for attendees to ask questions, following the talk.

Video

Getting Published: Taran Wilkhu and Nick Compton in conversation

Design District is not just about providing creatives with affordable workspace. Once it opens in 2021, tenants can look forward to further support in the form of events and workshops aimed at developing skills and careers. 

For a taste of what’s to come, Design District has organised a series of online conversations that bring together industry experts, starting with architectural photographer Taran Wilkhu — who has been documenting the construction process — and Wallpaper* senior editor, Nick Compton. Along with host Jemima Burrill, the pair discuss the hows (and whys) of getting work published.

Video

Meet José Selgas and Lucía Cano, SelgasCano

with Jemima Burrill, curator and cultural consultant to NOW Gallery

From their leafy home and studio complex on the outskirts of Madrid, the husband and wife team discuss light, colour and the important role nature plays in their work.

Event

ReDesign Business

14 Sep—19 Sep

A festival of ideas bringing the design industry and business together . A pioneering digital programme explores what design and business can learn from each other, launching at London Design Festival 2020.

Article

Design District’s new post-pandemic leasing model

Could the ‘On/Off office’ be the future of flexible working?

Video

Meet David Kohn, DK Architects

Having previously designed galleries, colleges, art installations, private residences and exhibitions, David Kohn Architects can now add two Design District buildings to its list of projects — one of which will bear the district’s landmark sign. Founding Director David Kohn spoke with Jemima Burrill about the research that informs his practice, working with artists and the limits of ‘hedgehoggy’ thinking.

Video

Meet Tom Emerson, 6a architects

The Meet the Design District Architects series has rapidly become a favourite lunchtime event for those interested in the built environment. For this edition — the third in the series — we’re introduced to Tom Emerson, one half of the founding team behind 6a architects.

Video

Explore the Design District in CGI Film

Get a glimpse of the eclectic architecture of the Design District with studios, work spaces and outdoor courtyards specifically designed for those working in the creative industries.

Video

The future of Japanese craftsmanship

Many talks over the years have left us baffled – and more than a little jealous – as to how they pulled off such an amazing project. Here’s five of the best.

Article

Meet the Design District Team

Considering the ambitious scale of the Design District project, it may come as a surprise to learn that the team behind its day-to-day running consists of just four people.

Podcast

Ted Talk: How architects work with a community #2

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Many talks over the years have left us baffled – and more than a little jealous – as to how they pulled off such an amazing project. Here’s five of the best.

Article

Welcome to the Design District Journal

Here we’ll be introducing you to the Design District and all those who’ve helped us on this journey. Once we’re open you can look forward to all sorts of updates, including recordings of the many events, interviews and happenings we have planned. But to begin with, a little more about what exactly the Design District is…