One of the best things about London Design Festival is the voyeuristic delight of gaining access to some of the world’s top designers’ studios and, last Thursday, following a few hours at Earls Court’s 100% Design, we had the opportunity of popping along to the Fulham studio of internationally renowned Swiss designer Rolf Sachs. Coming from a background in mathematics and banking, there’s an interesting balance in his work between studious, scientific elements and an off the cuff, free-spirited attitude that clearly exhibits the freedom he must have felt when turning to design some twenty years ago.

Sitting somewhere between a workshop, art gallery and mad-scientist’s laboratory, Sachs’ studio offered a glimpse into his inspired, limited edition collections along with a number of experimental one-off pieces and prototypes of his typically surreal and humourous new works. Wine was supplied, on theme, in scientific Pyrex beakers, whilst the press pack conveyed equal attention to detail with flecks of paint echoing his recent work. Engaging, unconventional and truly unique, a visit to Sachs’ inspiring studio was almost like a trip into the designer’s own mind…