Bamboo pavilions against a blue sky, featured at London Design Festival 2023.

London Design Festival 2023: Bamboo Pavilions, Dyson Innovations, and a Pokémon Retreat

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Written by Flynn Matthews

2026-09-23

Amidst the bustling cityscape of London, the London Design Festival captured attention with standout installations, including a pavilion intriguingly adorned with police shields. Nestled in the heart of The Strand, the Pangolin Shield pavilion features a bamboo skeletal structure enveloped by traditional Indian police shields and woven rain shields known as knups, creating a fusion of cultural aesthetics.

Innovative stools displayed at the One Tool Stool exhibition, London Design Festival.
The One Tool Stool exhibition was an LDF highlight

Highlights of the London Design Festival

Among the festival’s notable highlights was the One Tool Stool exhibition by Royal College of Art students. Another intriguing showcase was the fictional 1930s hotel suite that served as the backdrop for the inaugural editions collection by the innovative design platform, Lobby. Adding contextual depth, a Q&A session with Sadiq Khan in the Dezeen Dispatch emphasized London’s design as “an international success story”.

Dyson's revolutionary product prototypes showcased at the London Design Festival.
We looked at times Dyson attempted to revolutionise products

Meanwhile, as Dyson introduced its first-ever toothbrush, reflections on the brand’s transformative journey come into focus. Known for revolutionizing vacuums, fans, hand dryers, and hair products, Dyson’s legacy of innovation continues to evolve.

Learn how Dyson continues to innovate beyond traditional products with their revolutionary camera toothbrush that combines precision optics and innovative dental care.

Illustration showing a planned Pokémon-themed hotel by Not A Hotel.
Not A Hotel is set to build a Pokemon-themed hotel

In unique architectural developments, the unveiling of a giant Pokémon Poké Ball guestroom by Hotelier Not A Hotel adds whimsy to Hokkaido, Japan. This three-meter-diameter spherical hideaway is charmingly nestled beside a serene lake, echoing the ethos of the beloved Pokémon games.

Futuro House at Helsinki Design Week, surrounded by green landscape.
A Futuro House was presented at Helsinki Design Week

Reporting from Helsinki Design Week, attention was drawn to Matti Suuronen’s Futuro House, resurrected for the first time in decades. This architectural wonder was inspired by a Facebook post noticed by architect Jan van Dijs, reviving a retro-futuristic icon at the festival.

Exterior of the Pine House holiday home set against lush greenery.
The Pine House holiday home was one of this week’s most popular projects

Other captivating projects included Johan Sundberg Arkitektur’s Pine House in Sweden and a UK wooden cabin dedicated to the art of bathing, alongside a thoughtfully crafted cottage extension in Scotland. These designs resonate through conversations on the Dezeen Weekly podcast, spotlighting the key stories in design and architecture.

Explore a whimsical fusion of culture and architecture at the Bamboo Harmony Wellness Space, akin to the bamboo structures showcased at the festival.

Source: dezeen.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pangolin Shield pavilion made of?

The Pangolin Shield pavilion features a bamboo skeletal structure enveloped by traditional Indian police shields and woven rain shields known as knups.

What unique product did Dyson unveil at the festival?

Dyson introduced its first-ever toothbrush, a revolutionary camera toothbrush that combines precision optics and innovative dental care.

What was unique about the Pokémon Poké Ball guestroom?

The guestroom is a three-meter-diameter spherical hideaway charmingly nestled beside a serene lake in Hokkaido, Japan, echoing the ethos of the beloved Pokémon games.