Welcome to the second part of our new regular feature on the website, called 4×4. Here, we feature our 4×4 selection of the best design exhibitions taking place on the western side of the city during London Design Festival 2011.

01. 100% Design, Earls Court (22nd-25th September)
Earls Court, Warwick Road, SW5 9TA
100% Design is the big daddy of design events during the festival. This trade fair is the UK forum for major international and UK brands featuring world-class interiors show 100% Design, architectural and interior materials exhibition 100% Materials and emerging talent showcase 100% Futures. Be sure to visit stand X23 for a copy of London Design Guide! More >>>

02. The Dock, Ladbroke Grove (19th-25th September)
344 Ladbroke Grove, W10 5BU
Tom Dixon is to host ‘Multiplex at The Dock’ with exciting indoor, outdoor and water-based installations, exhibitions and workshops and a range of exhibitors such as Aston Martin, Moooi, Innocent Drinks, Piet Hein Eek as well as UP Projects’ Floating Cinema and the launch of Kitchenette – The Dock Kitchen’s lunch-time extension. More >>>

03. Royal College of Art, Kensington (22nd September-5th October)
Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, SW7 2EU
As part of the Brompton Design District, the Royal College of Art is hosting three exhibitions; The Problem Comes First, an exhibition of design research projects from the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design; Sustain, a selection of shortlisted entries by 2011 graduating students for the RCA Sustain Award and Give Me More, a new version of the EPFL+ECAL Lab’s exhibition on augmented reality. More >>>

04. Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington (17th-25th September)
Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
The London Design Festival is running a broad programme of activity in residence at the V&A Museum. There are 12 specially commissioned installations throughout the museum, complemented by a host of events, workshops and talks. Timber Wave by Amanda Levete Architects, Textile Field by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Power of Making exhibition are a must-see! More >>>

05. designjunction, Holborn (22nd-25th September)
Victoria House Basement, 37-63 Southampton Row, WC1B 4DA
designjunction is a new exhibition connecting international design brands to the UK market. designjunction brings together an exclusive line-up of leading UK and international lighting and furniture brands with exhibitors including Anglepoise, Another Country, Benchmark, deadgood and Viaduct. LONDON DESIGN GUIDE is running daily bike tours from here! More >>>

06. LEGO, Covent Garden (15th-25th September)
North Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8HA
LEGO has commissioned the award-winning designer, Sebastian Bergne, to create a public installation using the iconic bricks. The large-scale “LEGO Greenhouse” installation is on display in Covent Garden’s North Piazza throughout the festival. More >>>

07. Outline Editions, Soho (17th-30th September)
94 Berwick Street, W1F 0QF
Award-winning London based graphic artist Noma Bar is demonstrating his new installation Cut It Out at graphic art gallery, Outline Editions. A specially commissioned large-scale embossing machine allows visitors to feed in paper and create their own cut out Noma Bar images. More >>>

08. Theo & Friends Pop Up, Covent Garden (16th-25th September)
65 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, WC2H 9DG
Thorsten van Elten’s successful online shop theo-theo.com is popping up in the heart of London’s Seven Dials to show their brand new collection as well as products by some of Theo’s best friends including: Daniel Emma, Rob Brandt, Kathleen Hills, Donna Wilson and Very Good and Proper. LDG editor will be signing books here on Saturday 24th September at 4pm. More >>>

09. Darkroom, Bloomsbury (Launches 19th September)
52 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3LL
Inspired by the structures, colour palettes, techniques and textures of work by members of the Dutch De Stijl movement of the 1920’s, Darkroom launch their first major self-designed collection of accessories for men, women and the home, called ‘Stolen From De Stijl’.             More >>>

10. Molteni&C Dada, Covent Garden (17th-25th September)
199 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8JR
Molteni&C Dada is devoting its Covent Garden showroom to designer Arik Levy. “In Power 10” is a conceptual collaboration showing 10 interpretations of the Quake table - one of Levy’s first products designed for this Italian manufacturer. More >>>

11. Skandium, South Kensington (17th-25th September)
245-249 Brompton Road, SW3 2EP
Skandium’s Brompton Road store is staging a retrospective exhibition of work by Swedish architects, Claesson Koivisto Rune featuring architectural models, furniture, tableware and jewellery as well as a new addition to their collection, Alter stool. A book accompanies the exhibition with a foreword written by LDG editor Max Fraser. More >>>

12. Michael Anastassiades, South Kensington (16th-25th September)
235 Brompton Road, SW3 2EP
Taking up temporary residence in an old Victorian jewellery shop on Brompton Road, designer Michael Anastassiades is exhibiting a selection of his recent work alongside some limited-edition pieces designed for the Nilufar Gallery in Milan. More >>>

13. Phillips de Pury & Company, Mayfair (16th September-4th October)
45 – 47 Brook Street, W1K 4HN
British designer and supremo stylist, Faye Toogood, is launching her third furniture collection, Assemblage 3: Delicate Interference in the new gallery space of auction house Phillips de Pury & Company in Mayfair. More >>>

14. Gallery Libby Sellers, Fitzrovia (19th September – 8th October)
41-42 Berners Street W1T 3NB
After four years of ‘popping up’ in temporary international locations, Gallery Libby Sellers is opening in a permanent gallery space during the festival and presenting the London debut of Dutch designers Formafantasma. More >>>

15. Haunch of Venison, Mayfair (24th September-19th November)
6 Burlington Gardens, W1S 3ET
For their first collaboration with Haunch of Venison gallery, design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby are presenting 8 new pieces inspired by the structures and engineered forms of moving craft. Their exhibition Ascent is to taking place at the gallery’s Burlington Gardens space during the festival. More >>>

16. Mint, South Kensington (17th-30th September)
2 North Terrace, Alexander Square, SW3 2BA
Mint is exploring the influence of fashion on design by showcasing works from the Martin Margiela MMM Collection and selected designs by Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman for Cerruti Baleri. Mint is also showing intriguing works by new designers who do not visually reveal the materials used until the piece is touched or explored closely. More >>>

Read our suggestions for the eastern side of the city >>>

Why not check out our 4×4 selection of furniture, lighting and accessories as featured in LONDON DESIGN GUIDE 2012-2013? Buy your copy now >>>

Welcome to the first of our new regular feature on the website, called 4×4. In an easily digestible format, we get selective about design by featuring 16 of the best products, exhibitions or designers. Here, we feature our 4×4 selection of the best design exhibitions taking place on the eastern side of the city during London Design Festival, saving you from trawling through mountains of choice.

01. Designersblock 2011, Clerkenwell (22nd-25th September)
The Farmiloe Building, 34 St John Street, EC1M 4AY
Residing in the characterful Farmiloe Building, Designersblock is showing furniture, lighting, textiles and other idea-driven concepts by over 100 UK and international designers. Now an established event during LDF, Designersblock nonetheless retains its edgier, enfant terrible approach to design. More >>>

02. Dezeen Space, Shoreditch (17th September-16th October)
54 Rivington Street, EC2A 3QN
Popping up in the heart of the Shoreditch Design Triangle is ‘Dezeen Space’, a multi-functional, experimental space hosting a pop-up gallery, store, video studio and micro-event space. Be sure to check out the launch of their first printed publication, Dezeen Book of Ideas. More >>>

03. Tent London, Brick Lane (22nd-25th September)
Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane E1 6QL
Tent London is hosting a showcase of exciting gallery events, in and around its Old Truman Brewery location and is including two new show features: Tent Loves – a series of thought-provoking installations and Sussed – a collection of sustainable innovations. Expect a strong line-up of big brands alongside undiscovered talent and established independents. More >>>

04. Tramshed 2011, Shoreditch (22nd-25th September)
32 Rivington Street, EC2A 3LX
After its successful debut at last year’s festival, Tramshed 2011 is back in the stunning Shoreditch post-industrial venue. A number of products are debuting here from a diverse range of exhibitors including the entire furniture output from De La Espada. More >>>

05. Jasper Morrison Shop, Shoreditch (19th-25th September)
24b Kingsland Road, E2 8DA
The Jasper Morrison shop is celebrating 300 years of the drinking glass by displaying around one hundred examples to examine their historical and typological diversity. Furthermore, Morrison is hosting Punkt. for Japan: Still Time to Help, a charity initiative to aid the reconstruction process in Japan following the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. More>>>

06. SCP Design Department Store, Shoreditch (17th-25th September)
135-139 Curtain Road, EC2A 3BX
Leading design retailer SCP is transforming their space into the ‘Design Department Store’ which is both a design exhibition and a working department store. Check out the exclusive international launches and installations from collaborators including Donna Wilson, Gubi, Rich Brilliant Willing, Michael Marriott and us – LONDON DESIGN GUIDE!               More >>>

07. twentytwentyone, Clerkenwell & Islington
Marsotto Edizioni UK launch (21st-25th September), 18c River Street, EC1R 1XN
Robin Day re-launch (20th-25th September), 274 Upper Street, N1 2UA
For the first time in the UK, twentytwentyone is showcasing the beautiful Marsotto Edizioni marble furniture range in their River Street showroom. Their Upper Street shop sees the re-launch of the classic Reclining chair by Robin Day, originally designed in 1952. More>>>

08. Viaduct, Clerkenwell (15th September-1st October)
1-10 Summers Street, EC1R 5BD
Furniture and lighting showroom Viaduct is staging Show Three, a look at the lighting landscape from beyond the shade. The showroom plays host to exciting and original lighting by Swedish producer Wästberg, including the launch of three new designs by Ilse Crawford. More>>>

09. Gallery FUMI, Shoreditch (17th-25th September)
87-89 Tabernacle Street, EC2A 4BA
Gallery FUMI, Shoreditch’s first design gallery, is to present items made in the studio for domestic use. ‘STUDIOWARE’ features work by Max Lamb, Studio Glithero and Johannes Nagel who all share a passion for manipulating materials by hand. More >>>

10. Aram & Kemistry Gallery (Covent Garden & Shoreditch)
Mind Over Matter: Alan Fletcher’s The art of looking sideways (25th August-1st October), Kemistry Gallery, 43 Charlotte Road, EC2A 3PD
The Art of Looking Sideways (17th-24th September), Aram, 110 Drury Lane, WC2B 5SG
Both the Aram store and Kemistry Gallery are celebrating 10 years since to publication of iconic graphic designer Alan Fletcher’s ‘The Art of Looking Sideways’ book, with exhibitions inviting the public to explore his work as well as a collection of original material and notes from his archive. Also check out Aram Gallery’s exhibition of new work by Bram Geenen and Il Hoon Roh. More (Kemistry Gallery) >>> More (Aram) >>>

11. Origin, Spitalfield (22nd-28th September)
Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, E1 6EW
Contemporary craft fair, Origin, throws open its doors of the purpose built pavilion in Old Spitalfields Market showcasing handcrafted works from over 200 makers from the disciplines of furniture, ceramics, metalwork, glass, knitwear, fashion accessories and jewellery. More >>>

12. Rocket Gallery, Shoreditch (17th September-27th November)
Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
Rocket Gallery presents Revolt/ Reform/ Result, the first London exhibition dedicated to post-war domestic Dutch furniture by Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld, Martin Visser, Cees Braakman, Rudolf Wolf and others. More >>>

13. Established & Sons, Old Street (19th-25th September)
5-7 Wenlock Road, N1 7SL
Established & Sons have invited a selection of London-based talents and international names from the worlds of design, art and architecture to work on collaborations, installations and objects that define their idea of the city for a new initiative, titled ‘My London’. More >>>

14. The Living Room, Shoreditch (17th-25th September)
24-26 Calvert Street, E2 7JP
The Living Room is a new showcase of British designed and made furniture, products and printed works in the gallery space adjoining the Luna & Curious boutique in Shoreditch. The hand-picked selection of products form the constituent parts of a typical British living room, albeit contemporary. More >>>

15. Moroso/FLOS, Clerkenwell (12th September-16th October)
7-15 Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4SP
Galleria illy, hosted by lighting and furniture brands FLOS and Moroso, is a temporary exhibition expressing the Italian coffee company’s love of art, culture and science together with its passion for the finest coffee. Talks and debates are taking place throughout its duration. More >>>

16. St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Paul’s (19th-25th September)
South West Tower, St Paul’s Churchyard, EC1M 8AD
Leading architect John Pawson has teamed with Swarovski Crystal Palace to design an installation in St Paul’s rarely seen Geometric Staircase, responding to Sir Christopher Wren’s desire that each of his buildings should include a scientific element. More >>>

Read our suggestions for the western side of the city >>>

Why not check out our 4×4 selection of furniture, lighting and accessories as featured in LONDON DESIGN GUIDE 2012-2013? Buy your copy now >>>

Celebrating its ninth year, the capital’s leading annual extravaganza London Design Festival is to be the largest and most significant yet, returning to the city this September with almost 300 events.

Designers, studios, shops, galleries, and museums stage exhibitions and events in various locations dotted around the creative capital, reaffirming London’s place on the global design scene. Full listings of all citywide events can be found on the London Design Festival website and in their printed guide (available in venues across the city).

Each year, the LDF organisers create their own events and installations. This year they have commissioned landmark design installations all by renowned British architects and designers across the city, at the Victoria and Albert Museum for the third consecutive year, and, for the first time, St Paul’s Cathedral.

A broad ranging programme of activity will take place at the V&A Museum, where there will be 12 specially commissioned installations throughout the Museum, complemented by a host of events, workshops and talks. Lookout for the striking three-dimensional spiral residing at the Grand Entrance, Timber Wave created by Amanda Levete Architects and design duo, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s Textile Field which will take over the floor of the beautiful Raphael Gallery.

Showcased within one of London’s most historically important buildings – St Paul’s Cathedral will be another major installation supported by the Festival. Leading architect John Pawson, together with Swarovski Crystal Palace have designed an installation called Perspectives responding to Sir Christopher Wren’s desire that each of his buildings should include a scientific element.

Over at the Royal Festival Hall, Size + Matter, one of the festivals cornerstones have paired one of the UK’s leading architects, David Chipperfield with structural engineers and glass specialists from Arup to create a composition using SEFAR Architecture Vision fabric. The installation is to create a variety of different experiences as visitors move within and around it.

The Festival’s wider programme will again be focused on six design districts; each celebrating their own particular contribution to the world of design in London. The Brompton Design District, and nearby Pimlico Road will showcase a cocktail of international, interiors and design led installations. In central London, Covent Garden will reflect the broad range of design interests locally. Following its debut in 2010 the Fitzrovia Now programme will develop with a host of showrooms. Further east, the Clerkenwell Design District will again come to life in a multitude of showrooms and studios and the Shoreditch Design Triangle will provide a range of interests and activities.

If you’re on Twitter, add the hashtag #ldf11 to any tweets relating to the festival.

If the London Design Festival’s event listings are too much for you to digest, keep an eye on our website for our ‘4×4’ pick of the best.

Tent London is regarded as the must-see event of the London Design Festival with over 200 emerging and established designers and companies presenting the very latest in furniture, lighting, digital and interior products.

TENT LONDON

23rd – 26th September 2010

Truman Brewery, Brick Lane London E1 6QL (020 7739 5561)

On display are a large collection of contract exhibitors, including Ercol, Bolon, iGuzzini, Mathmos and Inflate among many others. Furthermore, new domestic products are offered from companies such as Areaware and Miller Goodman.

There are many sections to be explored at Tent. One of them is SHOWHOW which introduces the latest trends in Danish design with a particular focus on sustainability.

In the venue’s outdoor courtyard space is a celebration of gardens by The Modern Garden Company, featuring an urban garden installation with the latest outdoor designs. In addition to the industrial outdoors, there’s also a chance to drop by design agency Vonsung‘s pop up Café-Bar, a structural pavilion that is open for the duration of the event.

For a glimpse of the future, head to the Tent Digital section of the show, which covers over 800 square metres of digital installations, supported by UK Trade & Investment.

A particular highlight of Tent this year is the ‘Lab Craft‘ exhibition, curated by LDG editor Max Fraser (OK, we’re a bit biased!). The exhibition looks at the growing influence of digital technologies on the craft sector and celebrates work in this field, with displays of some of the UK’s finest examples.

The exhibition is part of the Crafts Council‘s touring exhibition programme and will debut at Tent before traveling across the UK for 18 months.

Leading design trade fair - 100% Design London - is celebrating it’s 16th birthday this year. The exhibition is the big daddy of the London Design Festival, boasting over 4,000 designs at this year’s show.

100% DESIGN LONDON, 23rd-26th September 2010

Earl’s Court 2, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA (0844 588 8087)

100% Design is an important annual destination for architects and interior design professionals because it provides a snapshot of the future trends, design technologies and product innovations. Visitors have an opportunity to explore and experience a wide range of furniture, lighting, textiles, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and accessories that 100% Design London has to offer.

There is no shortage of interior design information with British Council, British Institute of Interior Design, Interior Design Association and Design Guild Mark offering expertise through seminars, talks and advice clinics.

British designs for buyers and specifiers alike comes from companies such as Gray Concrete with concrete wallpaper as seen in Manolo Blahnik‘s Dublin store, Russell Pinch, Scabetti, Decode London and many more. International designs from the likes of Corian, Grohe, Fjord Fiesta, LK Hjelle are also on show as well as an increased number of international pavilions with designs from Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, Latvia, Norway and Spain.

Committed to showing the very best in creative and commercial interiors, 100% Design claims to be the only show of it’s kind that offers a one-stop shop for industry professionals and public alike.

The show is open to both the trade and public (Sunday only). Register here.

During the London Design Festival, furniture and lighting showroom Viaduct is staging an exhibition titled ‘Northern Lights’, curated by designer Gitta Gschwendtner. Visitors can expect the latest designs from Northern Europe including e15, Montis, Pastoe and other leading manufacturers.

NORTHERN LIGHTS, 16th September-2nd October 2010

VIADUCT

1-10 Summers Street, London EC1R 5BD (020 7278 8456)

A dramatic installation of fluorescent lighting and furniture is encapsulated in a rubberised room to create a new sensory experience. From utilitarian fluorescent tubing to the deluxe sophistication of contemporary design, the show is inspired by the imagination of Dan Flavin.

Gitta Gschwendtner has created an original exhibition with designs from Stefan Diez for e15 as well as pieces from Tom Dixon, Piergiorgio & Michele Cazzaniga.

The lighting within this ‘red room’ alternates between all red and all white, affecting the visitor’s engagement with the objects.

The London Design Festival, the capital’s leading annual design extravaganza, returns to the city this September. Designers, studios, shops, galleries, and museums stage exhibitions and events in over 240 locations, reaffirming London’s place on the global design scene.

The London Design Festival operates as an umbrella organisation for the citywide events, full listings of which can be found on their website and in their printed guide (available in venues across the city).

Each year, the LDF organisers also create their own events and installations. This year’s Trafalgar Square installation, titled ‘Outrace’, is being created by designers Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram, supported and enabled by Audi AG.

From 16th-23rd September, the project allows the general public to take control of eight industrial robots on loan from Audi’s production line. Visitors to the square, alongside the entire web audience, are able to book a slot to interact with the installation via the specially built website.

By attaching light heads onto synchronized mechanical tentacles that are equipped with LED technology from the Audi R15 race car (winner of this year’s LeMans 24h), the installation allows users to trace light messages into the air in real time. As users write their messages, each unique light trace is recorded and uploaded to the web via HD cameras. Clever.

Over at Southbank Centre, Paul Cocksedge Studio has designed ‘Drop’ – a series of 3-metre high, polished, stainless steel discs. The giant coins, which appear to have fallen from the sky, are magnetised to encourage human interaction enabling passers-by to place spare pennies on the reflective surface. For each penny given, a pound will be donated to charity.

Furthermore, the Victoria and Albert Museum is the festival’s hub this year, with plenty of events and installations taking place throughout the week. Lookout for the staircase installation by artist and designer Stuart Haygarth. Working with leading framing company John Jones, he has created a striking installation on the grand marble staircase leading to the V&A’s Architecture galleries. Haygarth creates a cascade made with over 30 traditional and contemporary bespoke frame mouldings, spanning in lengths of almost 20 metres each, bringing this significant piece of the museum’s architecture to life.

If the London Design Festival’s event listings are too much for you to digest, keep an eye on our website throughout September for our pick of the best.

We’ve teamed up with urban bike brand Tokyobike to offer localised design tours to some of the best exhibitions and events during the London Design Festival. Each morning from 23rd-26th September, LDG editor Max Fraser will host a small group of design enthusiasts on his tailor-made tour. There are only 15 places available per day, so book now!

Each day we will be visiting a different area of London, stopping off at the most interesting shops and exhibitions partaking in the London Design Festival. Tour-goers will be not be informed of the itinerary in advance, adding an element of surprise to the route.

Day 1 – 10am, Thursday 23rd September: Shoreditch & Brick Lane (SOLD OUT)

Day 2 – 10am, Friday 24th September: Clerkenwell & Old Street (SOLD OUT)

Day 3 – 10am, Saturday 25th September: Chelsea & Brompton (SOLD OUT)

Day 4 – 10am, Sunday 26th September: Covent Garden & Soho (SOLD OUT)

Groups will meet at 9:30am and will be supplied with a bike and helmet. Tours will depart at 10am and will last for three hours, finishing with a casual lunch in a local restaurant. Each ticket costs £20 which includes lunch.

We look forward to welcoming you on a tour!

PLEASE NOTE: All tickets for these tours have SOLD OUT.

Journalist and author Laura Houseley interviewed LDG editor Max Fraser at Tent London during the London Design Festival 2009. Fraser describes the content and motivations behind the guide and explains why London is such a vibrant design capital.

Video courtesy of Detnk.com

To coincide with the London Design Festival, LONDON DESIGN GUIDE has its very own pop-up shop where visitors can sit down, relax, enjoy a complimentary drink and browse through copies of the guide.

LONDON DESIGN GUIDE & SIGMAR: Living Room

19th-27th September 2009

1-5 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2HE

We have collaborated with Sigmar Design Studio, the shop and design studio of Nina Hertig and Ebba Thott, to create a sophisticated space in which you can rest during the exhausting week of the London Design Festival.

Enjoy a drink courtesy of Vitamin Water and Bottle Green. Afterwards, be sure to continue around the area, also known as the Brompton Design District, to see other great design shows such as LDG’s The Escapists exhibition at mint, and Gallery Libby Sellers exhibition of works by Dick van Hoff.

Don’t leave without buying a copy of the guide!

The guide’s editor, Max Fraser, is here most of the week. Get a signed copy from him!

Photos courtesy of Alistair Hall.