Layers of London
Exploring design across the capital, I found myself drawn to how layering defines the way objects and spaces interact with light, depth, and human emotion. This post features three standout elements that caught my attention during the London Design Festival (LDF). Experiencing these installations firsthand was remarkably insightful, offering a fresh perspective on how raw materials and geometry shape everyday objects.
A Veiled Boundary by Jesse Butterfield, presented within The Lavery complex as part of the LDF.
I was particularly drawn to how a simple, inexpensive material like paper can be manipulated to form such an elegant, high end light feature. The spontaneous layered curves hold and cast light in a way that feels completely organic, creating dramatic shadows splayed across the room. Fitting perfectly under the Brompton Design District theme of "Perfectly Imperfect".
From a design engineering perspective, it is a great reminder that you do not need costly components to create depth and structure. Controlling how a material bends and catches light can make even the most modest setup feel refined.
The Pangolin Shield by Studio Saar and Atelier One, presented on The Strand as part of the LDF.
I think there is so much to learn from looking at nature for design inspiration. Biological forms have gone through thousands of years of iteration and evolution, so looking to natural geometry usually reveals smart ways to solve structural problems. Moving forward, I want to make a point of actively drawing on these evolutionary principles in my own design process.
Underneath, it uses a bamboo frame, covered by Indian police shields, and finally clad with knups as the outer layered scales. Knups are traditional, hand woven rain shields used by farmers in north eastern India. Mixing tools of crowd control and state authority with low-cost rain protection brings up interesting questions about how humans seek defence, both from each other and from the weather. It highlights how our human instinct to protect ourselves mirrors animal defence mechanisms.
Beliani Pendant Lamp Segre Copper at The Hoop & Toy, Kensington
Unlike the other installations, this picture had nothing to do with the official London Design Festival events. A group of about ten of us were sitting in a Kensington pub, casually unwinding and discussing the creative designs we had seen throughout the day. In a completely natural, unforced moment, someone pointed the lamp out across the room and we all turned to admire it.
Combining geometric, modern, layered scales to mimic a natural pinecone structure works brilliantly. By staggering flat metal components to build up a 3D organic form, the design creates depth and diffuses light in a completely analogue way through physical geometry and overlapping gaps. It shows how a simple fixture can be a catalyst for creative expression that sparks spontaneous conversation and brings people together.