Barber Osgerby

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby founded their East London studio in 1996, after studying architecture together at the Royal College of Art. For more than two decades their work has challenged the boundaries of design in this country and abroad, while their commitment to lecturing, workshops and studio practice supports the development of new generations of designers.

Barber and Osgerby’s approach is characterised by its emphasis on experimentation and innovation and an exploratory attitude to materiality and colour. From these areas of focus emerge solutions that reflect the close relationship of their work with industrial processes and new technologies, but also its affinities with fine art, illustrated most clearly in large-scale installations such as Double Space (2014) - a series of revolving mirrors suspended from the ceiling of the Raphael Gallery in the V&A - and Forecast (2016) - a wind-powered work installed at Somerset House, as part of the first London Design Biennale.

The strength of Barber and Osgerby’s creative partnership has led to collaborations with some of the world’s most progressive companies and a diversity of output that encompasses architecture, interiors, sculpture, product and exhibition design, from the iconic Loop Table (1996) for Isokon and Soft Work (2018) for Vitra, to the 2012 Olympic Torch and a £2 coin commissioned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of London Underground. In 2017 Phaidon published a new monograph - Barber Osgerby, Projects - covering the designers first twenty years of practice.

Amongst many professional accolades, Barber and Osgerby received the Jerwood prize in 2004 and in 2007 were awarded the status of Royal Designers for Industry. In 2013 they were appointed to the Order of the British Empire, for services to the design industry and in 2015 they were awarded the London Design Medal. Examples of their work are held in the permanent collections of the V&A and the Design Museum in London, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Olympic Museum in Switzerland, the Vitra Design Museum in Germany and The Design Museum, Munich, Germany.

In 2001 Barber and Osgerby founded Universal Design Studio to function in parallel with their primary studio. Focused on the fields of architecture, interiors and exhibition design, Universal Design Studio is now recognised as one of the world’s most innovative creative design consultancies. In 2012 the family of Barber Osgerby studios was extended again, with the launch of the strategy-based industrial design consultancy, Map Project Office.

1. Jay Osgerby and Edward Barber in their London studio / © Jessica Klingelfuss
2. South-facing elevation of De La Warr Pavilion featuring the De La Warr Pavilion chair designed by Barber Osgerby, Bexhill-on-Sea, England, 2007 / © David Brook
3. Detail of the Barber Osgerby studio / © Barber Osgerby studio

News

Have a listen to Jay speaking to Nic Monisee on Monocle 24 about the current Barber Osgerby exhibition 'Signals' at Galerie kreo.

03.02.2022
Monocle M24 Radio

Jay talks to Amy Devers on the Clever Podcast about his early life, work and how the studio has become what it is today. Click here to listen.

25.01.2022
Clever Podcast

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby talked to Meghan Edward's for Interior Design magazine about past and present projects. Click here to read the interview.

27.10.2021
Interior Design magazine

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby talk to Editor-in-Chief Suzy Annetta about working though the pandemic, Italy's role in the duo's creative process and the value of being present. Click here to listen.

03.09.2021
Design Anthology Podcast

Events

20.01.22

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby present Signals at Galerie kreo. From 20 January, 2022, London. Click here to read more.

19.11.21

Edward and Jay have donated a signed art print to the Haven House Online Auction. Click here to browse and bid. The online auction will close at 10pm, Thursday 25 November.

27.10.21

AXOR welcome you to the opening talk of their digital platform AXOR Futures featuring Jay Osgerby. 09/11/21 at 10am and 4pm CET. Click here to find out more and register.

20.09.21

Ceramic works by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby are on show as part of a group exhibition 'Hand in Hand' at the Bienvenu Steinberg & Partner Gallery, 35 Walker Street, New York from September 23 - October 30, 2021.

27.05.21

Jay Osgerby joins list of esteemed judges on the Dezeen Awards panel 2021.

25.01.21

Jay took part in the Architonic, Global Design Agenda, Furniture Week. Click here to watch the film.

Victoria and Albert Museum Design Awards - Winner: Home table

1998

ICFF Editors Award, Best New Designer - Winner: Barber Osgerby