Building and installing a family of three pavilions in an east London neighbourhood for MINI LIVING.

"Forests" Installation

London Design Festival

Processes

• Design development
• Manufacture
• Metalwork
• Installation
• Project management

What we did

“Forests” — a landmark project for the London Design Festival designed by architect Asif Khan for MINI, exploring the concept of ‘third places’ in the urban environment. Aldworth James & Bond worked with Asif Khan, MINI LIVING and London Design Festival to develop the design concept, prototype the structures, manufacture and install the three pavilions in Shoreditch, east London. The family of architectural installations are constructed from aluminium frameworks, anchored with steel bases and enclosed with polycarbonate panels with plants in each space to create an immersive and relaxing atmosphere.

The ‘Relax’ space is an elevated room where visitors are encouraged to experience a moment of calm in the bustling street side location. The second space - ‘Create’ - is a calm working environment with terraced seating and the final pavilion ‘Connect’ features a galley interior with a long custom table and planting within. The scope of our work included design development of Asif’s fantastic design concept, working with the architect and structural engineer on the production details as well as building prototypes in our Greenwich workshops before the full manufacture of all metalwork and polycarbonate panelling, and the installation by our site team.

It was a true pleasure to work with our friend Asif Khan on another fantastic project, as well as part of the whole London Design Festival team and for MINI LIVING. Special thanks also to Jin Ahn from Conservatory Archives.

Photography: Tom Donald for Aldworth James & Bond, 2016