This year’s London Design Festival showcases a focus on regenerative industrial practices, AI integration in design, and sustainable material innovations, with exclusive talks, exhibitions, and events that are shaping the future of design.
During this year’s London Design Festival, from 13 to 21 September 2025, Dezeen is co-hosting a compelling series of events that span talks, discussions, and celebrations, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of design-focused activities across the city. With spaces limited and attendance by RSVP only, these events promise intimate access to influential voices and innovative ideas shaping contemporary design practices.
The festival kicks off on Monday 15 September with “Worst Case, Best Fix,” a talk co-hosted with project management platform Programa held at Moroso on Rosebery Avenue. Moderated by Dezeen’s editorial director Max Fraser, the session features speakers including Oliver Wit, director of Cake Architecture; Gemma McCloskey, founder of Cupla Studio; and Zoe Lowres, co-founder of Programa. The panel will dissect the successes and failures inherent in design processes, aiming to draw insights that can elevate future projects.
The theme of technological innovation takes centre stage on Tuesday 16 September at Ustwo’s Shoreditch headquarters during the “Judging the Machine” talk. Co-hosted with digital production studio Ustwo, the discussion, led by Dezeen’s features editor Nat Barker, explores the expanding role of artificial intelligence within design practices. It promises to address how AI is integrated from the early research phase through to development and final production, featuring expert insights from Ustwo and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
One of the festival’s highlights is Morrama’s “From the Ground Up” exhibition, running from 16 to 20 September at Hackney Depot. Morrama, an industrial design agency celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, presents this immersive exhibition that challenges traditional extractive models of industrial design. Instead, it focuses on regenerative practices inspired by natural processes and revises relationships with materials. The display includes innovative projects that consider the entire product lifecycle—from inception through to natural degradation—highlighting bio-based alternatives and circular material systems. The exhibition is complemented by panel discussions and workshops that delve into applied material innovation, reinforcing a shift toward environmentally responsible design futures.
On Thursday 18 September at Hackney Depot, Fraser sits down with Jo Barnard, Morrama’s founder, for a fireside chat discussing her recent book, From People to Planet: Lessons from a Design Agency. This conversation explores how design can be a powerful tool for planetary improvement, the industry’s progress toward better ecological practices, and strategies to accelerate this transformation.
That same evening, Dezeen and furniture company Henge will host an exclusive cocktail party at Henge’s newly redesigned showroom on Brompton Road. The 600-square-metre space, meticulously crafted to serve both as a showcase of Henge’s latest collections and a social hub, reflects the brand’s distinctive and timeless approach to material craft. Henge, known for its participatory sculptural installations inspired by ancient structures and made from zero-carbon, recyclable Jurassic limestone, extends its presence at the festival by creating an immersive environment that celebrates both design and community.
These events form part of a broader programme of exhibitions, installations, and talks featured throughout London Design Festival 2025. Together, they articulate a vibrant dialogue around innovation, sustainability, technology, and the social impact of design, engaging professionals and enthusiasts alike in shaping the future of the industry.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, published on 11 September 2025, detailing upcoming events from 13 to 21 September 2025. No evidence of prior publication or recycled content was found. The events are unique to this year’s London Design Festival.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Dezeen’s editorial director Max Fraser and features editor Nat Barker. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, indicating originality.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Dezeen, a reputable design publication known for its coverage of design events and news.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The events described align with the London Design Festival’s schedule and themes. Details about the venues, dates, and participants are consistent with other reputable sources. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from a reputable publication. All claims are plausible and consistent with other reputable sources. No signs of disinformation or recycled content were found.
