Highlights from the London Design Festival’s Shoreditch Design Triangle

Design London Shoreditch returned this September with a clear ambition to show how design connects work, culture, and interiors in ways that feel both immediate and inspiring. Brought to life by the organisers of Clerkenwell Design Week and the editorial teams behind ICON and OnOffice, the series of pop-up exhibitions became one of the most talked-about parts of the Shoreditch Design Triangle, now in its 17th edition. The format was simple yet effective, comprising three venues, three themes, and a sharp curatorial eye that gave each space its own identity while contributing to a broader design conversation.

Design at Work at Protein Studios
At Protein Studios, OnOffice curated Design at Work, an exhibition that took the office out of clichés and reframed it as a place where design actively shapes wellbeing and efficiency. Visitors moved through a mix of task seating, modular breakout zones, acoustic panels, and clever storage solutions, each one responding to the way we now inhabit our workplaces. The industrial character of the venue, with its concrete floors, high ceilings, and abundant natural light, served as more than just a backdrop; it was a reminder that the workplace is no longer about cubicles and fluorescent lighting, but about spaces that energize, calm, and adapt. For architects and designers, the message was clear: the office has become a site of possibility rather than compromise.

Design Culture at Kachette
Kachette hosted Design Culture, a celebration of creativity that positioned design as a cultural force. Here, the line between object and artwork was deliberately blurred, demonstrating that design is not simply about function but about carrying stories and values across borders. Each piece invited visitors to consider how culture influences form, and how craftsmanship can be both timeless and forward-looking. The exhibition centered on the idea that design is a universal language, one that can convey identity, heritage, and innovation at once.

House of ICON at Shoreditch Town Hall
The grand Grade II-listed Shoreditch Town Hall became the dramatic stage for House of ICON. This was interiors at their most expansive, with furniture, lighting, rugs, textiles, and accessories curated across the many rooms of the historic building. Scandinavian restraint coexisted with the bold confidence of maximalism, while hospitality-ready pieces sat alongside home accessories. Visitors explored atmospheric basement areas, ornate chambers, and even a Victorian auditorium, each space transformed into a showcase of contemporary design. The programme was further enriched by topical talks, immersive installations, and brand activations, turning the Town Hall into a living, breathing design destination.

What made Design London Shoreditch so compelling was the way each venue offered a different perspective yet collectively told a single story: design is no longer siloed into categories but moves fluidly between work, culture, and lifestyle. The exhibitions didn’t just present products; they framed design as a driver of change in how we live and interact with our surroundings. Within the energy of the London Design Festival, Design London Shoreditch carved out a concentrated moment in Shoreditch that felt fresh, thoughtful, and distinctly international.

For visitors navigating the Shoreditch Design Triangle, this trio of exhibitions was an invitation to see design as a catalyst for connection.