ArDe: Architecture & Design Fair June 8-12 at Somerset House, London
The urban future is explored at a new Design and Architecture Fair running 8-12 June at Somerset House, London
ArDe is a new architecture and design fair exploring âThe Near Future of a Global Cityâ. This five-day event uses everyday human experiences to encourage wider debate about innovative and holistic approaches to much needed change in the city.
The fair provides a compelling combination of exhibitions, conferences, seminars and think-tank programs across and throughout Somerset House.
With themes around urban density, societal trends, technological advances and environmental needs, ArDe invites you to an experiential journey through a series of uniquely curated installations, that challenge established views of architecture, art, interior design, landscape, and property development.
With immersive exhibition spaces designed by both emerging and well established firms, visitors will open the door to the practical imagination of great minds in the industry sharing a vision of how our lives will be different in the future and how we can make our cities more resilient as well as sustainable, yet still beautiful.
By exploring our urban landscapes in brand new ways and through a range of special exhibitions, ArDe considers the way we eat, sleep, wash, travel, play and work in our cities, and how these daily rituals might alter as the landscape around us changes. By engaging brands, developers, designers and architects, ArDe will prove to show that only a holistic approach to these disciplines can generate successful and new models that will affect our daily lives.
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court will be the stage of an installation by landscape architect GĂŒnther Vogt and artist Dan Graham. Having exhibited in Marseille and Place Vendome, ArDe is proud to host their first installation in London.
Spanish architects Teresa Sapey Studios have created a triplet of Fireflie pavilions. Situated in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, these spaces are intended as places for transiting and socialising. As Fireflies biologically emit a fluorescent light, so too will the pavilions at night, illuminating the courtyard with colour and energy.
Benedetta Tagliabue, an internationally recognised architecture studio, is designing an ephemeral installation through the ritual of âplayâ exclusively for ArDe. Working together with the car manufacturer SEAT, Benedetta is reinterpreting the way of living and experiencing the car, a dominant element of modern and contemporary cities. The installation aims to redesign the interior layout of it towards the future and explore new possible functions and aspirational functions.
Echlin, Tree Box and Deirdre Dyson are collaborating to create the âGarden Balconyâ, a green garden wall setup both interior and exterior, that’s dedicated to providing sustainable and aesthetic solutions by sourcing locally manufactured, recycled and environmentally friendly materials. This will be a thriving ecosystem in the heart of Somerset House with the well thought out narrative of providing transformational change to our urban environments.
Additionally, ArDe will set up a shop selling technology products and limited edition furniture and design objects.
ArDe Architecture & Design Fair: 8-12 June, 2016 VIP and press previews: 6-7 June, 2016 Tickets: ÂŁ12 (concessions), ÂŁ20 (adults)
www.ardelondon.com
@ArDeLondon
#ArDeLondon
Confirmed exhibitors include: Arper, Argent, Benedetta Tagliabue, Capco, Chetwoods, the Collective, Dan Graham, Deirdre Dyson, Echlin, Fernanda Marques, GĂŒnther Vogt, Heatherwick Studio, Hom Le Xuan, James Turrell, Lasvit, Oscar Tusquets, Blanca, Resolution Properties, Santa & Cole, Something & Sons, Studio Drift, Teresa Sapey, Tree Box.
Universal Design Studio, an award winning architecture and interior design practice based in London, have been commissioned by Arde to design the overall experience of the fair as exhibition designers. It works internationally on commissions including boutique hotels and restaurants, retail spaces, galleries and renowned cultural institutions. Universal uses a bespoke approach for each client, rich in intellectual rigour and creativity, to create inspiring places with a powerful visual impact. Universal was founded in 2001 by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, in response to the growing demand for their distinctive design aesthetic and clever use of material details in an architectural and interior design context. The studio is co-directed by Hannah Carter Owers and Jason Holley.
Esperanza Koren is the founder and CEO of ArDe. An architect with 20 yearsâ experience, she has worked in all fields of architecture, design and development, as well as contemporary art and events. As a supporter of emerging and established artists, Koren enables exhibitions in leading institutions and has staged large-scale installations in public and private spaces.
âArDe is a living and breathing fair, created by the industry and energised by the public. With daily performances, and events, this will be a new platform to be inspired, to be entertained and to be reminded about societies incredible capacity for new ideas.â
In the 17th century, Inigo Jones presented avant-garde proposals for architecture and design through theatrical masques and where the Royal Academy staged its first public art exhibitions at Somerset House. These experiential events helped the public understand the potential impact of changes within the urban fabric on politics and society. ArDe will pick up on this tradition for a five-day celebration that will signpost ways to future city living.
To encourage deeper development of the issues raised at the public exhibition, ArDe will convene a dedicated conference on 7 June at Kingâs College London, adjacent to Somerset House. âThe Near Future of the Global Cityâ will welcome a renowned panel to lead discussions and debate about housing, urban regeneration, technology, property investment, finance, demography and smart cities.
Confirmed speakers: Sir Simon Jenkins, former editor of the Times and the London Evening Standard. Chairman of the National Trust, and leading urban commentator Matthew Taylor. Chief executive of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts; Steve Rayner. James Martin, Professor of Science and Civilisation at Oxford University. Lucy Musgrave, founding director of Publica; Stephen Bayley, leading The Mayorâs Fund for London is delighted to be the charity partner for the âSummer Setâ Gala, celebrating the launch of ArDe Design and Architecture fair. The dinner and auction at Somerset House on 6th June will be an important date in our fundraising calendar, allowing us to continue our work helping young Londoners from disadvantaged backgrounds to acquire the skills and opportunities they need to secure employment, climb the career ladder and escape the threat of poverty.
