Isokon plywood furnishings is well known at Margaret Howell HQ
Margaret Howell Wigmore Avenue presents the world of Isokon (till 5 November 2022), together with a brand new reissue in collaboration with the model
Margaret Howell presents an exhibition that celebrates the plywood furnishings designs of Isokon. Staged at Margaret Howell’s Wigmore Avenue HQ (till 5 November 2022), the show spans from 1936 to at this time, with designs by Marcel Breuer, Barber Osgerby and Jasper Morrison, in addition to instruments, moulds and templates from the workshop to provide an extra perception into its historical past and apply.
‘Isokon furnishings demonstrates the flexibility and power of plywood,’ feedback Howell. ‘Gentle and malleable, [plywood] permits designers the liberty to supply furnishings in an progressive and sculptural model. Isokon superior the reason for worldwide design in Nineteen Thirties Britain – easy, minimal and nonetheless so trendy.’
Picture credit score: Matt Ford
The historical past of Isokon began in 1931, when the workshop was based by English entrepreneur Jack Pritchard and Canadian architect Wells Coates: Pritchard had requested Coates to design a constructing and the results of their partnership was the Garden Street Flats in north London, which had been accomplished in July 1934.
The flats grew to become house to Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and László Moholy-Nagy, who additionally collaborated with Pritchard, increasing the workshop’s scope. Specifically, Breuer contributed a number of plywood designs to Isokon, creating chairs and tables for the model.
Picture credit score: Matt Ford
Unique items by Breuer are on show alongside modern designs, and the furnishings is accompanied by 12 archive pictures of Isokon furnishings and the Garden Street Flats, which can change into the Margaret Howell Calendar 2023.
To coincide with the exhibition, Margaret Howell has reissued a collection of the Marcel Breuer 1936 ‘Nesting’ tables; made at Isokon’s Walthamstow workshop, the tables are in birch plywood and offered with a particular Isokon and Margaret Howell stamp. §
All photographs: Matt Ford
Supply: Wallpaper
