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The latest news and pictures from the design sector.

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Design Shanghai gears up for 11th edition

Asia’s largest international design event series – Design Shanghai – enters its 11th year and expects to welcome more than 70,000 visitors between 19-22 June 2024. Returning to the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre, the show continues to witness the rapid development of Chinese design.

Over the course of ten years, Design Shanghai has become one of the biggest design shows in the world and the highly anticipated event will once again attract leading international and Chinese manufacturers, design-led brands, global industry leaders, architects, collectors, interior designers and design enthusiasts, alongside dynamic cultural programming unique to the city.

Showcasing curated exhibitors, features and talks, it brings together integrated and innovative design from China to the global stage.

Zhuo Tan, event director of Design Shanghai, commented: ‘Design Shanghai has gone from strength to strength. We have persuaded a large number of overseas brands to join this emerging market in China, and also help Chinese brands communicate and export to the outside world, and strive to change everyone’s perception of Chinese design… I look forward to witnessing more innovations and breakthroughs.’ www.designshanghai.com   

120 years of Powerhouse

Image Credit: Sorcha Regan-Capes

This year marks 120 years since the completion of Powerhouse – a landmark building that once generated electricity for the London Underground.

The red brick building played a pivotal role in shaping London’s illustrious past, and the former power station’s legacy of public service for over a century is key to its transformation as it begins a new chapter as a collection of 260 luxury apartments.

Built in 1904, the power station became operational and began powering the London Underground the following year. It continued to deliver power through the Blitz in the 1940s, converted from burning coal to oil in the 1960s and then gas in the 1970s, before being decommissioned in 2002, making it the world’s longestserving power station.

The Powerhouse will welcome its first residents from April. www.farrells.com

Egis’ Architecture Line Enhances Global Team

The Egis Architecture Line, a synergetic collective of some of the world’s leading architecture firms, has enhanced its leadership team with two new hires. Marion Baeli joins as principal – sustainability transformation at 10 Design (part of Egis Group), and Rob Buckley joins as global head of sustainability at Weston Williamson + Partners (also part of Egis Group). Egis is a global consulting, construction engineering and operating firm. www.10design.co  | www.westonwilliamson.com   

Manchester City Council greenlights low-carbon Robotics Living Lab Pavilion for Manchester

Manchester City Council has approved plans for the construction of a lowcarbon, timber and straw pavilion for the Robotics Living Lab at Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University. The single-storey timber-framed building – designed by Bennetts Associates – will provide an adaptable workspace plus exhibition and events space for the Robotics Living Lab to promote and showcase its work and research. The Work in Progress pavilion forms the second phase of the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project, a new fashion research facility to help develop and support micro-scale fashion businesses using robotic technologies for more sustainable production. www.bennettsassociates.com

Conran and Partners designs residential amenities at King’s Cross

Conran and Partners has completed the interior design and fit-out of the ground floor reception and amenity areas at Author, Related Argent’s first build-to-rent development in London’s King’s Cross. Located at 180 York Way, Author King’s Cross comprises three buildings arranged around a public landscaped courtyard garden designed by Fabrik. At the north-west of the triangular site two linked buildings, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, provide 140 market rental homes above the Conran and Partnersdesigned amenity spaces that serve the whole development. www.conranandpartners.com

SHH unveils new Eudelo Clinic in London: Chelsea’s new skincare and wellness destination

Architecture and design studio SHH has once again partnered with dermatologist specialist Eudelo to create the aesthetic of its latest private skin clinic on Sloane Avenue, Chelsea.

Building on the successful collaboration for Eudelo’s flagship clinic in Vauxhall back in 2016, SHH has showcased a distinctive retail emphasis in its latest project.

The design concept for the Chelsea clinic revolves around presenting a thoughtfully curated selection of skincare products, with SHH creating dedicated spaces for casual consultations and an expansive display of cosmetic products.

Natural materials, such as timber and limestone, have been seamlessly integrated to evoke a nature-inspired aesthetic. The interior design features a palette of natural materials and tones to create a comfortable ambience, with display units strategically lining the walls, showcasing Eudelo’s cosmetic products.

Tony Duesbury, senior associate at SHH, commeted: ‘Every detail has been carefully considered to create an environment that not only reflects the professionalism of the services and products available but also a space that is versatile to easily accommodate functions with retail display.’ www.shh.co.uk

THDP redesigning Hilton Milan

Hilton Milan is undergoing a transformation this year with design by architecture and interior design studio THDP.

The new design draws inspiration from the nearby Isola district and the principles of biophilic architecture.

Interiors will showcase materials, furnishings and finishes inspired by the colours of nature, with special attention to natural lighting. The renovation is proceeding in stages, with the refurbishment of the 155 rooms in the west wing, expected to be ready for the September Fashion Week. www.thdpdesign.com

Levitt Bernstein delivers Bristol Beacon

Image Credit: Tim Crocker

Architecture studio Levitt Bernstein has completed an anticipated reworking of Bristol Beacon for Bristol City Council and Bristol Music Trust. Formerly Colston Hall, the venue has been reimagined as a multi-purpose concert hall and music hub. Work has included an entirely new interior for the main hall, restored second hall and a new cellar venue, together with renovated historic public spaces and new music studios. This completion follows Levitt Bernstein’s new foyer building in 2009 and is the second and final phase of a project that promotes Bristol Beacon as an exemplar of international quality within the music industry.

Levitt Bernstein has repaired, restored and upgraded the original fabric of the Grade II listed building, conserving the distinctive Victorian architecture while reimagining its future.

Mark Lewis, associate director at Levitt Bernstein, commented: ‘From the outset, it was important that this project was about more than a concert hall.

‘It is a resource for the people of Bristol and, with the support of the council and the music trust, our work means this venue can bring classical and contemporary culture and innovation to the city.’ www.levittbernstein.co.uk

New bubble tea emporium designed by Phoenix Wharf opens in Birmingham

Image Credit: Gary Britton

Hospitality and retail designers Phoenix Wharf has completed a first outlet for Oricha, a new bubble tea emporium, located on Birmingham’s Corporation Street. The concept is a fusion of ancient tea-drinking culture and a contemporary treatment, as well as melding East and West, taking inspiration from China, Japan and Taiwan, as well as from British tea and coffee houses. This fusion reflects the background of the brand’s owners, one-time students-turned-entrepreneurs, who first met at Bristol University, before plotting their new venture. www.phoenix-wharf.com

BT Group announces sale of BT Tower to MCR Hotels

BT Group has agreed to the sale of the BT Tower for £275m to MCR Hotels, which plans to preserve BT Tower as an iconic London-landmark hotel. The sale comes as part of the company’s Media & Broadcast division’s long-term strategy, which has been migrating services onto its cloudbased platform, allowing a move to more modern and efficient premises. www.bt.com

New suites designed by Biagio Forino to launch at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice in April

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, the five-star hotel and former flour mill on Giudecca island, is set to unveil 24 new suites in April. The interior design has been created by Biagio Forino, which the hotel is collaborating with again, after designing the Molino Presidential Suite in 2019: one of the highest and largest suites in Venice. www.biagioforino.it

B10 Design and SB Architects unite after 18-month collaboration

10 Design, a firm within the Egis Architecture Line, has announced the successful completion of its integration with SB Architects. It marks a significant milestone following an 18-month period of collaboration since its initial merger announcement in July 2022. www.10design.co / www.sb-architects.com   

Imago Venues partners with Harrison in £4m transformation of Burleigh Court Hotel & Conference Centre

Imago Venues, part of Loughborough University, has partnered with Harrison in a £4m transformation project at Burleigh Court Hotel & Conference Centre. The project will improve guest experience and deliver a ‘fantastic venue’ for the East Midlands, with Imago Venues revealing its plans to transform the flagship four-star property. www.imagovenues.co.uk

Enhanced immersive viewing experience and workplace solutions on offer at Chiswick Park

Chiswick Park, in west London, has partnered with Thirdway to deliver TX, a real-time, design software platform that will provide current and future occupiers the very best in flexible space solutions. TX embeds real-time design technology to provide an engaging and immersive experience, with fit-out design options delivered in detail. www.enjoy-work.com

Design Space AlUla opens

Image Credit: Nicholas Jackson Photography

Design Space AlUla, a focal point for showcasing AlUla’s wide-ranging design initiatives contributing to the vision for AlUla, is now open. Located in the AlJadidah Arts District, Saudi Arabia, Design Space AlUla provides exhibition, workshop and archive space.

Designed by architects Giò Forma Studio, the building will foster collaboration among design professionals, students and design enthusiasts while strengthening AlUla’s legacy across the cultural sphere as a catalyst for creative inspiration and design. Its inaugural exhibition Mawrid: Celebrating Inspired Design will introduce the design thinking process behind ten recent AlUlainspired designs across design, architecture and urban planning

The building is made of Corten steel, glass and polished concrete. The architecture pays homage to the breezeblock used widely across buildings in the surrounding AlJadidah Arts District. Shaped around a plaza, the luminous courtyard design is complemented by the exposed geometrical brickwork, taking the form of an intricate lattice façade, bringing further light and natural ventilation throughout the building.

Sara Ghani, curator, Design Space AlUla, commented: ‘Design Space AlUla commits to celebrating AlUla’s natural history, its cultural heritage, and vernacular materials – inspiring sustainable futures that are rooted in place.’ www.experiencealula.com

FX Design Awards 2024 open for entries

It may feel like they only just happened, but it’s time to get ready for the next instalment of the FX Design Awards as entries are now open!

Submit your entries for your chance to win by Friday 26 July 2024, and with categories for architects, specifiers and suppliers we have opportunities for you to enter your work, whatever sector you’re in!

This year brings a new cohort of judges – experts in their fields and ready to award the very best in each category a coveted FX Design Award, with winners announced at a gala event, once again at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on Wednesday 27 November 2024.

Table bookings are now also being taken, so make sure you have your ticket to the party of the year as we celebrate the very best in design. Book early to avoid disappointment and we look forward to celebrating with you this autumn! www.fxdesignawards.co.uk