Isokon Symposium

A pioneer in its approach to materials, marketing, and design, Isokon Ltd was instrumental in introducing functional modernism to England between the wars. Established in 1932 by the progressive entrepreneur Jack Pritchard (1899–1992), it became known for the sleek, ocean-liner-inspired apartment building on Lawn Road in London, designed by Wells Coates (1895–1958) in 1934, and the iconic collection of bent-plywood furniture, much of it designed by Marcel Breuer (1902–1981). Together these endeavors gave form to a radical new way of living and have inspired generations of designers since.

The Yale Center for British Art will host a one day, online symposium exploring all aspects of Isokon’s creative output. Seeking to move away from the overly simplistic narrative that it represented “the Bauhaus in London,” the symposium brings fresh insight about the hybridity of Isokon’s iconic aesthetic and its emergence from London’s cultural and modernist melting pot.

Open Call for Papers: Please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words and a short biography by January 31, 2023, 5 pm ET.

We welcome proposals on any topic related to the architecture, furniture, and marketing designs produced by Isokon, the architects and designers it employed, and the occupants of the Lawn Road flats.