British designer Paul Cocksedge has created a large-scale installation that responds to different rhythms and movements of visitors at the 2019 London Design Festival, which has been kicked off this Saturday and will continue till 22 September 2019 with a programme of citywide activity in the districts and destinations, showcasing local and international design talent. 

The 2019 London Design Festival showcases design installations, including Kengo Kuma, Sam Jacob, Paul Cocksedge, Camille Walala and more.

The installation, named Please Be Seated, has been installed at Finsbury Avenue Square, which is the most ambitious of British Land’s commissions to be installed until now.

Throughout the installation, visitors can sit, move, pass underneath and even use its shading feature while continuing their movement. The undulating curves create a fluid atmosphere and form a circular and wavy shape at the square. 

The large-scale installation fuses innovation and technology, and responds to the changing rhythm of the community: its design features curves for people to sit on and walk under, further enhancing London’s largest pedestrianised neighbourhood. 

The installation is made from scaffolding planks, and Cocksedge has collaborated with Essex-based high-end interiors company White & White to re-imagine and re-use the building wood. 

"Every single aspect of the installation is tailored to its environment as well as the function it serves," said Cocksedge. "The curves raise up to create backrests and places to sit, as well as space for people to walk under, or pause and find some shade. It walks the line between a craft object and a design solution. It occupies the square without blocking it."

Broadgate’s The Space | 3FA will be home to an exhibition of Paul Cocksedge’s work, including his journey from inception to creation of Please Be Seated. As part of Shoreditch Design Triangle’s Design Night, Paul will be in conversation with a panel of experts discussing meaningful design for the public realm.

"Design is integral to everything we do at British Land so we’re delighted to continue our partnership with London Design Festival for the fourth consecutive year. We truly believe good design has the power to create places where people want to be and where people want to spend time," said Chris Grigg, Chief Executive of British Land.

In 2019, there will be 11 official Design Districts from East to West; North to South at the LDF. Design Districts are areas where there are distinct concentrations of design activity and events that can be traversed easily on foot. Each District is organised independently via the platform of London Design Festival and reflects the unique character of its locale. This year will see two new Design Districts taking part in the Festival, Kings Cross Design District and Chelsea Design District.

Established in 2003 by Sir John Sorrell CBE and Ben Evans CBE, London Design Festival celebrates and promotes London as the design capital of the world. 

All images courtesy of Mark Cocksedge

> via London Design Festival