Design Junction, Tent & Superbrands

Since its inception in 2011, Designjunction has grown from strength to strength and receives global acclaim from its home at The Sorting Office in central London. An impressive 120,000 sq ft venue set over 4 floors, its striking 1960’s industrial setting is the perfect backdrop to showcase the very best in furniture, lighting and product design from around the world.

Every year the selection of brands becomes more comprehensive and varied from international manufacturers to smaller independent designers, as well as artists, pop up shows and factories. It strikes a balance between creative and commercial that few other trade shows can compete with.

Tent & Super Brands is a combined show situated in East London’s Truman Gallery that has been carving out an impressive reputation since it was established 8 years ago. It is a fantastic platform to promote younger companies and designers and there is a vibrant energy at the show, which always makes us excited about discovering somebody very talented. Below we want to concentrate on three exhibitors who combine a beautiful design aesthetic with an environmental approach deserving of recognition.

Aditi Studio. A practice we have had a great working relationship with since we met owner and designer Robert Wheedon 3 years ago. Aditi is a small practice based in the Peak District who craft beautiful bespoke, lighting using environmentally sound production methods and technology.

Every single piece of Aditi’s work is designed, hand sculpted and decorated by the artist using traditional methods. Using sustainable production processes the pieces are made from mud, dust, eclectic powders, silk, paper, steel, brass and iron etc, this unusual mixture always results in lights with fantastic surfaces, colours and textures suitable for any environment.

Mater. One of the next generation of Danish design companies that we are incredibly excited about. Founded in 2006 they have a beautiful visual language and although their range of furniture and lighting is small, almost every piece is a success both complementing the rest of the collection and working in its own right.

Not only are they wonderfully designed with a great aesthetic but they are very aware of their ethical and social responsibilities. With working methods that support people, local craft traditions and the environment.

Sebastian Cox. We were both fortunate enough to meet Sebastian earlier this year on an installation, straight away his work grabbed our attention and his philosophy inspired by nature immediately clear. He has a strong belief that sustainable design does not have to result in a boring or compromised product. Simple, elegant and imaginative pieces made from wonderful British’s hardwoods such as the underused, coppiced hazel.

The wood is responsibly sourced and hand-harvest by Sebastian and the team, who’s vision is of a world where our woodlands are managed and people are engaged with nature. An intriguing mixture of ancient techniques with a contemporary aesthetic his considered approach to design makes him one of the designers of the moment, as well as somebody to watch out for in the future.