The Be Open Space at The Dock with Tom Dixon Stimulates the Five Senses at London Design Week

We explored <strong><a href="http://www.tomdixon.net/news/2012/09/be-open-at-the-dock-for-ldf" target="_blank">The Dock </a></strong>this morning, an exciting space at <strong><a href="http://www.londondesignfestival.com/" target="_blank">The London Design Festival</a></strong> that we first spotted<strong><a href="http://inhabitat.com/former-wharf-building-converted-for-tom-dixons-pop-up-shop-at-london-design-festival/" target="_blank"> last year</a></strong>, which is hosted by <strong><a href="http://www.tomdixon.net/news/2012/09/be-open-at-the-dock-for-ldf" target="_blank">Tom Dixon</a>.</strong> The diverse space was brimming with a mix of great designers, from old favorites <strong><a href="http://www.tomdixon.net/home" target="_blank">Tom Dixon</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.pietheineek.com/en" target="_blank">Piet Hein Eek</a></strong> to a some great emerging designers who were showing their work at the <strong><a href="http://beopenfuture.com/exhibitions/space">Be Open</a></strong> 'flash market' space.

There was a range of Tom Dixon’s latest pieces of work on display, alongside some newer additions such as a the pop up store from Merci concept store from Paris in these underground tunnels.

The furniture by <strong><a href="http://www.pietheineek.com/en" target="_blank">Piet Hein Eek </a></strong>is an old favorite and it's always inspiring to get a close-up of these beautiful furniture pieces made from reclaimed wood. We even rested our feet briefly and took a minute to fully experience the Lottie Lindeman TentLamp, a design which aims to create a space within a space, which fits perfectly with these rounded tables.

Outside, the emerging designers at the <strong><a href="http://beopenfuture.com/exhibitions/space">Be Open</a></strong> space were treated to a sunny morning, which allowed us to enjoy exploring their individual exhibition spaces. Each market pod echoed the architecture of the main building from the outside, but the inside was transformed by the designers to display their wares in this 'flash' market.

First we spotted one of OMI series pendants by <strong><a href="http://naomipaul.co.uk/" target="_blank">Naomi Paul</a></strong>. The striking Hanna pendant, is handcrafted flat pack pendant that is made with yarns such as mercerized cotton and silk sourced from fashion industry surplus and waste.

Next we watched as the workers in the<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.fayetoogood.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Faye Toogood</strong></a> space were busily creating their felt House Hightops in their on-onsite workshop. This space showed the transparency of production, from manufacturing to shop floor in one small space.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/traces-junk-shop-showcases-young-designers-playful-green-designs/"><strong>Traces 'Junk' Shop</strong></a> was overflowing with fun and quirky designs from a range of young designers. One of our favorite items was <strong><a href="http://www.timburrellsaward.com/bureau.html">Madam Bottwright's Bureau</a> </strong>by<strong> <a href="http://www.timburrellsaward.com/">Tim Burrell-Saward</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.studio801.co.uk/#!home/mainPage">Mike Kann</a> </strong>which combined old found furniture pieces with technology to draw us into a playful guessing game. You can read more about the Traces 'Junk' Shop in our feature <strong><a href="http://inhabitat.com/traces-junk-shop-showcases-young-designers-playful-green-designs/">post here. </a></strong>

We got a warm welcome from<strong> <a href="http://technologywillsaveus.org/">Technology Will Save Us</a></strong> and came away feeling pretty inspired to get crafting with technology after casting our eyes over their selection of parts and workshops that this haberdashery for technology and education had on offer. They believe that giving people a better understanding of the technology we use every day will lead to more sustainable, creative and possibly ecologically conscious habits.

<a href="http://www.tikau.com/home.php?lang=en">Tikau</a></strong> had a number of colourful products that had been designed by Scandanavian designers who had worked Indian artisans and aims to build meaningful, long term working relationships that enable both the designer and the craftsman to develop in a positive manner.

A great example of the <strong><a href="http://www.tikau.com/home.php?lang=en">Tikau</a></strong> philosophy and final product outcome is the Tikau Lights. A simple, yet stylish product that has been designed with a specific community to develop new opportunities for income.

If all these design treats were not enough, we were almost finished when these amazing chocolate designs caught our eye. Although unfortunately there were no items to taste, this impressive wall decoration is by <strong><a href="http://www.paulcocksedge.co.uk/">Paul Cocksedge </a></strong>and <strong><a href="http://www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/">Hotel Chocolate</a></strong> did give us something to take away with us by scanning the QR code embedded in the chocolate.

The best way to enter The Dock space is to head downstairs and then work your way back up to the daylight.