If you are a product or Industrial Designer you may be familiar with Milan’s Design Week: it is, after all, one of the most important event in the sector. However, another Design Week deserve your attention: Clerkenwell Design Week in the UK. This year’s event just concluded and the winners are out.
It was wonderful to see so many great designs incorporating eco-friendly materials or processes, demonstrating that environmentally conscious products can be beautiful as well. The awards themselves were built in beautiful wood and This year’s Awards were sponsored by the American Hardwood Export Council. Photograph by Sam Frost ©2026
One of my favorite was Andreu World Bolete Armchair, that won the award for “Best For The Planet”. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, Bolete stands out for its ergonomics, thanks to the distinctive shape of the seat and its generous width. The upholstery is applied on a 100% recycled and recyclable Pure ECO® thermopolymer shell.
Another winner that stood out to me was Acoufelt Skipping Stones Ceiling Clouds, who received an award to its sculptural and effective acoustic product. Inspired by stones skipping across water, these sculptural acoustic ceiling forms impressed the jury for transforming sound control into an expressive architectural statement.
The winner for Best Residential Furniture was also exceptional. Leandesk, a folding sit-stand desk that’s infinitely adjustable in height and angle, lets you work sitting or standing with ease. It folds to just 50mm for effortless storage, and is crafted from sustainable materials.
The award for Best Interior Designer of the year went to Asia Miari, Kettle Collective.
Asia is an Interior Designer, originally from Milan (are you surprised?), with international experience across residential, commercial, and hospitality, working with leading developers in Europe and the Middle East. Her projects stand out for their emotional sensitivity and material richness while being centered around calm, connection, and human experience.
team/asia-miari
Product Designer of the year went to Kerry Deffley, Design Manager, Shaw Contract EMEA.
With over 20 years of experience in commercial interior design, Kerry Deffley, is a passionate advocate for customer-driven design. Her distinctive approach is grounded in her hands-on understanding of the manufacturing process. In 2025, Kerry designed the successful Creative Connections carpet tile collection, manufactured in Scotland, showcasing her ability to blend a craft-inspired vision with contemporary design thinking.
You can see all the winning design at Design Milk and on the official Clerkenwell Design Week website. And who knows? Maybe next year, one of the awards will go to our Product Design students or alumni.
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