A number of London based designers - Andu Masebo, Eddie Olin, Isabel Alonso, Jaclyn Pappalardo, Joe Armitage and Lewis Kemmenoe have been invited to make new works taking something from the story and production of Ercol. Across the works produced the designers have integrated steam bending, turning and IR bending, as well as integrating blank parts and waste from the Ercol factory.

Over the past 18 months the designers have been back and forth between their studios and the Ercol factory. The design process began with tours of the production areas, followed by research and design, leading to production. Some of the designers used raw materials taken from the factory and processed back at their own studios before returning to the Ercol factory for finishing. Others have been frequent visitors, seeing Steve in the Jig Shop to work out and action designs within the factory itself.

Grain Pile showcases a group of the UK’s leading emerging designers, showing the depth and breadth of approach to practice as well as the designs themselves.