Sir John Sorrell, Chairman of the London Design Festival, will present this year's London Design Medal to designer Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studios in recognition of his outstanding contribution to design and for having achieved international acclaim for his work.

“Thomas Heatherwick is a designer who defies definition whether he is working in in the fields of architecture, product design, sculpture and urban planning. He has developed a considerable reputation for his practice, creating a range of extraordinary objects and buildings; from rolling bridges to seaside cafes to spinning chairs," said Ben Evans, Festival Director.

"His stunning British Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo demonstrates to the world that British design is innovative, creative and good for business."

Thomas Heatherwick’s UK Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo 2010.

Judges included Tony Chambers, Editor-in-Chief, Wallpaper* magazine; Ilse Crawford, Creative Director and founder StudioIlse; Brent Hoberman, Founder mydeco.com; Mark Jones, Director, Victoria & Albert Museum; Munira Mirza, The Mayor’s Advisor for Arts and Culture; Gwyn Miles, Director of Somerset House Trust; Alice Rawsthorn, Journalist, design critic for International Herald Tribune; Chris Sanderson, Strategy and Insight Director, The Future Laboratory; Sir Paul Smith Designer and winner of the 2009 London Design Medal; Paul Thompson Rector, Royal College of Arts and Peter Wallis Chairman of SRU.

Photo by Markn Ogue

“It’s a huge honour and a great surprise to be given the London Design Medal. London is the city I was born and brought up in; an endlessly exciting mish-mash of a place that inspires me and my team in the projects we do,” said Thomas Heatherwick.

The 8th-annual London Design Festival runs until Sunday, September 26.