Visit to Vitsœ & Compton Verney
Friday 20 June 2025, 8.30am-8pm
Join the Friends of Kettle’s Yard on a visit to visionary Vitsœ’s production building in Leamington Spa and Compton Verney; house, garden & gallery, hosting ceramics selling exhibition, ‘Potfest’.
About Vitsœ
Since its founding 65 years ago Vitsœ has embodied the principle of ‘less, but better’ coined by industrial designer Dieter Rams. The furniture Vitsœ makes defies obsolescence, being capable of being reconfigured, repaired and reused indefinitely. The company’s ambition is to manifest the art of living better, with less, that lasts longer and is run “as if people mattered”
This philosophy is embodied in the production building itself, completed in 2017, an exercise in timber construction, concept by Vitsœ & Martin Francis, landscaping by Kim Wilkie & Wilder Associates. The health and well being of the workforce are central to its design, its north-south orientation and saw toothed roof providing natural light & ventilation, minimising the need for energy use during daylight hours. Just like the Rams designed furniture itself, the building was conceived as a universal modular system; a kit of parts.
There will also be an opportunity to view The Strong Collection: over 75 Braun products that chart the evolution of industrial design. Dieter Rams headed the design department for Braun for 34 years up to 1995, he and his team were responsible for an output of more than 500 appliances.
At lunch time we will join the team and ‘break bread’ together in the Vitsœ’s kitchen at the north end of the building.
About Compton Verney
Between 1993 and 2004 the Peter Moores Foundation oversaw a £45 million acquisition and restoration project that transformed the original seat of the Verney family into an art gallery and cultural centre.
Compton Verney is now a centre for art, nature and creativity situated in an 18th century house, gallery and ‘Capability’ Brown garden which together comprise a unique visual arts destination in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside.
Our visit will give access to all three facilities including an exhibition of extraordinary 18th & 19th century architectural drawings called ‘Towering Dreams’ drawn from the collection of the Sir John Soane Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London.
We also have entrance to ‘Potfest by the Lake’, an annual event that offers for sale handmade artisanal ceramics presented in a series of marquees on the lakeside.
Transport and Further Information
Transport is provided by coach. The pick up points will be first, the Coach Stop on Trumpington Road, Cambridge, opposite to the Botanic Gardens at 8.30am Second the Park & Ride on Madingley Road at 9am.
Return, leaving Compton Verney at 5.30pm arriving back in Cambridge at approximately 8pm.
Ticket price includes transport, all entrance fees and lunch.
All proceeds support Kettle’s Yard. Refunds are not possible, unless the visit is cancelled by Kettle’s Yard.
Should the visit be sold out, please email friends@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk to join the waiting list.
