How Teledomica Brought Real-Scale XR to Clerkenwell Design Week 2025

Clerkenwell Design Week has long stood out as one of the most innovative and community-driven design events in the UK. What began as a city-backed initiative to attract designers has now turned Clerkenwell into a true design district. Today, nearly every major furniture brand is based here, surrounded by studios, showrooms, and a strong sense of creative identity.

This year, as Teledomica, we had the pleasure of attending the festival, soaking in an atmosphere filled with architecture, conversation, and spatial storytelling.

We observed, participated, and introduced Teledomica to designers, brands, and people we met throughout Clerkenwell. We spent three days connecting with designers and showing how Teledomica brings ideas to life on a real scale.

Where History and Design Coexist

One of the most powerful aspects of CDW is its deep integration with the urban environment. Unlike traditional trade shows locked inside convention halls, CDW invites you to walk through history. Exhibition spaces were scattered across iconic venues like Old Sessions House, St. Bartholomew the Great, and a variety of sunlit courtyards and alleyways. It didn’t feel like a typical design fair. It felt more like the whole neighborhood had come to life with design at every corner. Clerkenwell’s mix of historic spaces and creative energy felt like the right place to share about Teledomica.

Meeting People and Sharing Ideas

We were struck by how welcoming and engaged the design community was. From architects and interior designers to tech enthusiasts and brands, everyone brought genuine curiosity. Talking to people felt easy. Everyone was open and curious about what others were working on. Additionally, our real-scale product visualizations generated strong interest, whether viewed through a Meta Quest headset or on mobile devices. 

What Could Be Improved

Overall, the event was well executed, but one aspect felt slightly out of place. As CDW grows, some of the newer temporary exhibition structures have started to get bigger. These structures are understandable given the risk of rain in London, but in some cases, they disrupted the visual experience. For example, the large structure in front of St. John’s Gate blocked the view of a key landmark and made the Mamou-Mani installation behind it hard to notice. It’s unclear whether this was fully considered during planning.

Similarly, some container-style display pods that are used by exhibitors felt overly enclosed. Their solid facades made it hard to see what was happening inside, which limited both visibility and visual appeal. In a week all about discovery and interaction, we believe the container should invite, not hide.

Imagining Better Spaces for CDW26

Here’s a thought for CDW26: what if there was a design competition for modular canopy systems, lightweight, open structures that feel more in tune with the surroundings? It could be a chance to rethink how weather protection and spatial design come together. We’d love to support this through Teledomica by helping bring the proposals to life in real scale with XR technology. Let jurors and visitors explore each idea right there in the streets of Clerkenwell before anything is built.

Until Next Year

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 was a reminder that good design doesn’t just sit in showrooms; it lives in the streets, in the conversations, and in the people it brings together. For us, it wasn’t just an event to visit, but a space to listen, share, and learn.

Thanks to everyone who made it so welcoming. And to the team at Media 10. Congratulations on another beautiful edition. We’ll see you next year.