The London Design Festival, now in its eighth year, announced the program for this year’s event, which is to be held from 18-26 September. As with 2009, Trafalgar Square will see yet another installation – this time a robotic installation named Outrace by German designers Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram.

The creation will take the form of six massive industrial robotic arms from car designer and manufacturer Audi’s production line. Custom software developed by the designers will allow the public to temporarily control the installation and write texts in light traces drawn by the synchronized mechanical tentacles. These ‘light paintings’ will then be recorded and published online. See the renditions of the installation below.

In 2012 (perhaps just in time for the Olympics), a new building will open adjacent to the London Bridge Station, adding to the changing London skyline. At 1,016 feet (306 meters) with 72 stories, the building will be the tallest building in Western Europe.

Designed by architect Renzo Piano, whose vision for the Shard is a ‘City in the Sky’ with office space, residential apartments, restaurants as well as a hotel. There will also be a viewing gallery on floors 68, 69 and 72. This viewing gallery will provide a vantage point that is almost twice the height of the London Eye.

I first came across London-based designer Haidee Drew’s designs at the Salone del Mobile in Milan this year, and am delighted to preview her latest designs will be shown at Designersblock during the London Design Festival.

One of the concepts that she will be introducing is a series of decor that complement with wallpaper. The image below is just one of those concepts: a petal dish that is displayed as a part of the design. There are also wall hooks that will do just the same. There is no pricing on this yet, as these are just concepts at this point.

If you are in London, do stop by and see these (and more) for yourself! Click on the Designersblock link below for more information.