Spotlight on Battersea design communities at London festival

Published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Venues around Battersea are opening their doors this week for London Design Festival, showing off pop-up design exhibitions alongside walks and talks.

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Councillor Kemi Akinola (centre) meets designers and artists at Ingate Works Takeover pop-up

Supported by Wandsworth Council, Battersea is hosting its very own Design District to showcase design and architecture with a focus on collaboration with local communities in designing future plans.

Running from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 September 2023, events are celebrating local heritage while also spotlighting the London Borough of Wandsworth’s creative communities and emerging innovation.

Councillor Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, visited Ingate Works Takeover, off Queenstown Road, where a collaboration between the council and the Royal College of Art is showcasing a selection of graduate designers in a pop-up exhibition all week.

Kemi Akinola said: “Taking part in London Design Festival is a fantastic way for Battersea to show that we’re building on our rich design heritage to take a big step forward into establishing the borough as a modern, outward-looking place. 

“We’re going for London Borough of Culture 2025, so these events featuring incredible design, art, architecture and landscaping really do give a taster of the creativity and innovation rooted here in Wandsworth’s communities.”

Hannah Lambert, Community Engagement Manager, RCA said: "We're so excited to be supporting recent Royal College of Art graduates to participate in the first Battersea Design District at London Design Festival this year. It's a great opportunity for them as emerging artists and designers to showcase their work and make new connections, and for us as a College to celebrate our local neighbourhood."

Battersea Design District map
Saturday 23 September: Battersea Design & Tech District walk

This area is renowned for its pioneering design heritage, with firsts in engineering and transport as well as a place for inventions and industry that have changed London and the world.

See the full list of free Battersea events and talks this week on the London Design Festival website 

Find out more about Wandsworth’s bid to become London Borough of Culture 2025 

Designers give Wandsworth Council's Kemi Akinola a tour of the pop-up exhibition