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London Festival of Architecture 2008
London’s Largest Living Room takes up residence in Somerset House
Somerset House, WC2, 20 – 22 June

Londoners will find a home away from home on the Strand this summer when London's Largest Living Room
moves in to Somerset House to launch the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2008.

Between the 20th and 22nd June, visitors to the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House will find
it transformed with a full suite of over-sized furniture on a massive, colourful carpet, and will be invited,
free of charge, to make themselves at home.

Designed by up-and-coming practice Studio Weave and adorned with a pattern by fashion favourites Eley
Kishimoto, the furniture comprises plywood cut out versions of sofas, armchairs, bookshelves and lamps.
All this rests on the Living Room carpet, designed by cutting edge graphic designer Studio Myerscough, using
carpet tiles generously donated by Desso. By taking these domestic items out into the public realm, London’s
Largest Living Room invites members of the public to think about the city landscape as their home, and
consider how we could better use the often neglected open spaces around us.

Jointly produced by Design for London and the London Festival of Architecture with creative direction by
Gerrard O'Carroll, London’s Largest Living Room will also play host to the private opening on the evening
of the 19th June, when the LFA 2008 will be launched by Mayor Boris Johnson. Upon leaving Somerset
House, the furniture will be used to temporarily transform key public spaces across London, through to
the close of the Festival on 20th July.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, says “London has an architectural heritage which is second to none.
What’s great about the Festival – and installations such as London’s Largest Living Room - is that it
offers Londoners fresh perspectives on our architecture and public realm and invites people to enjoy
and interpret all that our magnificent city has to offer.”

A collaboration between some of London’s greatest designers and manufacturers, London’s Largest Living
Room is sponsored by Pipers and SIV Architectural Recruitment. The LFA opening party on the 19th June
is sponsored by AECOM.

Peter Bishop, director of Design for London, says, “London has so many wonderful public spaces, but we
rarely take the time to stop and notice them, let alone to really enjoy them. These designs will help us to
take a moment to relax in the city, and will hopefully inspire Londoners to think how the city as whole can
be an extension of their home, and should be just as comfortable.”

Moira Sinclair, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London, said: "It is through installations like this that
we can help bring the work of artists, architects and designers to more people, encouraging them to take
a fresh look at what's around them. What better way for Londoners to think about the environment than
to physically and mentally kick off their shoes, climb onto an outdoor armchair and contemplate what's great
and what's not about the city."

Peter Murray, director of the London Festival of Architecture, says, “This year’s London Festival of
Architecture is the biggest of its kind in the world, so it’s fitting that we can launch it by bringing London’s
Largest Living Room to the public. The project is a great celebration of what the Festival stands for – taking
time to get to know the city so that we can create an environment that works for everyone.”


CREDITS:
Text and logo: The London Festival of Architecture