tom dixon transforms his HQ into multi-sensory lab for 2019 london design festival

for the 2019 london design festival (LDF), british designer tom dixon has transformed his headquarters — known as ‘the coal office’ — into a multi-sensory lab. during LDF, temporary installations, talks, workshops, and parties are taking place throughout the HQ’s shop, factory, restaurant, and gallery. dixon’s studio forms part of coal drops yard, the retail development designed by heatherwick studio.

all images courtesy of tom dixon

the multi-sensory lab, which is operating under the moniker ‘TouchySmellyFeelyNoisyTasty’ during the london design festival, comprises various zones. in the ‘touchy feely’ arch in the shop, tom dixon’s interior architecture facility, design research studio, has partnered with men’s care brand harry’s to create a razor bar that draws on the sensory tactility of shaving.

meanwhile, in the ‘textiles’ arch, the brand previews its 2020 collaboration with bute fabrics. to enhance the tactility, the walls of the arch are padded with tweed wool. in addition, fat chairs and the new fat chaise, sofa and stool are on display. elsewhere, the lighting arch features a range of luminosity, including the new melt LED range and spring lights.

the ‘smelly’ section hosts two new fragrances, ‘underground’ and ‘alchemy’ — the latest additions to the eclectic collection. the candles are now available in a slim-waisted vessel in a range of new sizes and are on display in the ‘perfumery’ arch. in the ‘noisy’ area, tom dixon studio has collaborated with swedish synthesizer company teenage engineering to create a sculptural light and sound installation in the gallery. finally, the ‘tasty’ area sees french champagne house perrier-jouët host a pop-up champagne bar and garden on the coal office restaurant terrace.

project info:

name: TouchySmellyFeelyNoisyTasty
design: tom dixon
location: the coal office, 1 bagley walk, kings cross, london, N1C 4PQ, UK
dates: september 14-22, 2019
event: london design festival 2019