From the new London bus to the humble beach cafe, British designer Thomas Heatherwick’s work is everywhere. And now it is the subject of a new exhibition: Heatherwick Studio: Designing the Extraordinary at London’sVictoria & Albert Museum.
Heatherwick started his practice, Heatherwick Studio, in 1994 and from the start was interested in looking at the relationship between architectural design and craftsmanship. His work defies definition, with projects that include furniture, engineering, sculpture and urban planning.
These spinning stools were nominated in 2011 for a Design Award. Called Spun, and made out of moulded plastic, they look like sculpture but are a comfortable and functional chair.
Bonnie Alter/CC BY 2.0
The show is jammed into too small a space which makes it frustrating and hard to follow. It is supposed to look like his studio but there is so much work on view in the form of models, prototypes, films, and photos that it all becomes a jumble. However, his playfulness and ingenuity shine through. As in this wonderful canopy at the entrance to the museum, made out of traffic cones.
© Heatherwick Studio New Bus For London, UK 2011
