The Master’s day round Clerkenwell

The Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, Ben Burbidge, went on a tour of Clerkenwell last week to meet some of the office and hospitality furniture manufacturers that dominate the hip area of London.

Clerkenwell used to be a part of London’s industrial heartland. Now, the area is synonymous with furniture companies, design agencies and magazines, including Gresham Office Furniture, Herman Miller, Morgan Furniture, Ocee Design and Senator Group.

The Master went to find out more about the market these companies operate in and find out the latest trends in contract furniture.

Some of the highlights of the visit included:

Morgan Furniture

The Master kicked off his tour at Morgan’s stunning showroom on Dallington Street, which Morgan has used to hold art exhibitions, seminars and even comedy nights to draw in the crowds. Speaking of art, the vibrant mural on the wall of Morgan’s showroom is the work of British artist Remi Rough. The stand out piece at Morgan’s showroom was the company’s new Rio table (top picture), which it has designed in partnership with design company Integrate. This funky table includes an incredible 3D printed component that is constructed using a mathematical algorithm and printed in polyamide or resin.

Gresham Office Furniture

One product that grabbed the Master’s attention and would be suitable for the techiest of offices or libraries is Gresham’s Sound Station Chair (middle picture). Cocoon in shape, the chair provides a private area to sit in and make phone calls or listen to music using the built-in Apple AirPlay technology with integral speakers. If you’re looking for a simple, timeless design, however, look no further than the striking and award-winning Steps chair. Designed by David Fox, this contemporary lounge chair collection comes in high and medium back options, with a polished 4-star base, loop leg detail or wooden four legged frame.

Ocee Design

At Ocee Design the Master learned about the value of acousticians in the hospitality furniture sector. In amongst all of the pods, desks and vibrant Panaz fabrics, Ocee’s Harc chair (bottom picture) stood out. It has been created to facilitate the need to listen and to provide a place to cut out or reduce the surrounding noise. The name Harc echoes the arc shape with its sweeping curves that wrap around to create a warm and cosy enclosure. The Master certainly thought so.

Senator Group

Senator Group’s recently opened Clerkenwell showroom was teeming with noteworthy ranges. One that we’re particularly proud to shout about is the Nuno Chair from the group’s Allermuir brand. Designed by Mark Gabbertas, Nuno was awarded a Design Guild Mark in 2016 and will be on the DGM stand at 100% Design at Olympia London (21-24 September).  The defining characteristic of the design is how the lamination and the frame are interdependent and provide strength for each other, which allows both these elements to be pared down to a minimum.

Herman Miller

At international office manufacturer Herman Miller, the Master learned all about the activities people undertake at work and the supportive situations furniture can facilitate in order to create a ‘Living Office’. Whether we’re warming up, cooling down or off to go create, the furniture within the space we work can play a huge part in our productivity. One design that kept popping up around the showroom was the Keyn Chair Group – a range of meeting and side chairs that offer responsive movement and immediate comfort for collaborative spaces.