Professional divers maintain underwater bells at Nemo’s Garden in Noli, Italy, an innovative agriculture project with no need to water or use pesticides, and the possibility of countries without arable soil using this method. Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images.
More than 50 international designers, academics, entrepreneurs and business leaders will work in four steering groups to create briefs which will be published via an online portal on July 1, with a deadline for responses on July 31.
Centred on the theme of Design Resonance in an Age of Crisis, these virtual roundtable discussions create a unique open call inviting submissions from the world’s design community and members of the public. From established practices to budding young designers from across all disciplines, the partnership seeks radical and rapid responses to problems facing humanity, today and tomorrow.
During June, Chatham House and London Design Biennale will convene leaders, professionals, academic experts, and eminent designers. The four groups will be co-chaired by :
- Alice Rawsthorn, design critic and author, and Kara Hanson, Professor of health system economics, LSHTM (Health)
- Lisa Witter, co-founder & executive chair, Apolitical, and Ben Terrett, CEO Public Digital (Society)
- Shirley Rodrigues, deputy mayor for environment and energy, and Keith Priest, architect and co-founder, Fletcher Priest (Environment)
- Lucy Parker, senior partner, Brunswick Group, and Professor Jeremy Myerson, Helen Hamlyn professor of design, RCA (Work)
The steering groups will evaluate all submissions and create a shortlist of the most ground-breaking concepts this summer. These will be published and exhibited by Chatham House and London Design Biennale online from September, leading up to the London Design Biennale exhibition at Somerset House in June 2021.
Sir John Sorrell CBE, president of London Design Biennale, said: “During times of adversity, creativity always shines through. This new major partnership will show how designers all over the world are constantly creating ideas that can help solve some of the critical problems facing humanity. I am excited to see the responses from the world’s design community.”
Dr Robin Niblett CMG, director of Chatham House, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our societies, economy, and global connectivity in highly disruptive and tragic ways. But it has also presented an opportunity for pause, reflection and a chance to rebuild better and work smarter. Through this partnership, we will harness the best creative thinking about a more sustainable and equitable future and work to match these ideas with policy pathways to make them reality.”
For further information on London Design Biennale, please contact Brunswick Arts Annabel Hoyng - van der Meijden / Charlotte Sidwell [email protected] / +44 7834 502346
For further information on Chatham House, please contact: Jemma Finnegan [email protected] / +44 7554 074743
Chatham House Centenary:
Throughout our centenary year in 2020, Chatham House celebrates a century of influence, independent analysis and trusted dialogue with a number of exciting initiatives. This project is part of Chatham House’s CoLab initiative which is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. A major part of Chatham House’s centenary, the CoLab enables the institute to take a more innovative approach to research by creating immersive experiences for audiences and ensuring Chatham House can continue to serve as a trusted hub for dialogue and a source of credible information, analysis and ideas on international affairs.