PErmanent Temporary for London Design Festival

18-26/09/2021

Producers:

Jaffar Aly / Noah Chulu Chinn / Sum Weekly / David Bindon / Euphemia Franklin / Nicola Reid / Kaytie Nielsen

Sponsored by:

London Design Festival / Southwark South Design District / Pempeople / Livesey Exchange / Fabrix / Sumweekly

Permanent Temporary for London Design Festival

A week-long celebration of resilient creativity on Old Kent Road, as part of the Southwark South Design District in the London Design Festival.

Permanent Temporary confronts the constant state of flux we find ourselves in. Creatives in Southwark work in a permanent state of temporariness, as rapid regeneration shifts the ground beneath our feet and spaces for making are taken away. But even as our environment transforms at a dizzying pace, the fabric of our community remains strong. 

Permanent Temporary is an interactive showcase of the ways we continue to thrive despite these volatile circumstances. Our project champions local ingenuity and collectively imagines how we can shape the future of Old Kent Road and beyond. Throughout the London Design Festival, we’ll be hosting collaborative workshops, film screenings and panel talks at the Livesey Exchange garages, where a team of architects will be working together to construct a multi-media installation experience. That installation, along with art and designs from some of the most stellar local makers, will be celebrated in our big finale weekend, when we’ll be taking over the newly renovated Bottle Factory space for an electric expo of curated galleries, live musical performances and a fashion show.

The Bottle Factory has a very rich history having been built in the 19th century as J. Mills & Son’s Mineral Water and Ginger Beer Factory. Part of the beating heart of the historic Old Kent Road, the building became a furniture factory in the mid-20th century and most recently was a church before then unfortunately falling into disrepair. For Fabrix, the opportunity to save a heritage building from demolition and to deliver a beautiful new workspace in one of London’s most historic and fastest developing areas was too much to resist. We’re delighted to be hosting so many inspiring and influential people within our local community.