The Fountain of Technicolour Beads wins CDW Awards Most Inclusive Design 2026

19th May 2026, London - At the ceremony of Clerkenwell Design Week Awards 2026, onebite has won the Most Inclusive Design Award with the debut installation “The Fountain of Technicolour Beads”.

During this year’s CDW, onebite and material partner Leigei Stone transforms the open space at Clerkenwell Green into a vibrant sensory experience titled "The Fountain of Technicolour Beads." Continuing the studio’s ethos of embedding social messages within every design, this installation is not merely an aesthetic display but a call to action regarding inclusivity in design, specifically raising awareness for Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD), commonly known as colour blindness. 

"The Fountain of Technicolour Beads" transformed the abstract concept of colour blindness into a tangible reality. It features sculptural stacks of Leigei Stone beads. While the vibrant colours may blur or merge for those with Red, Green, or Blue-Yellow vision deficiencies, the varied tactile forms remain distinct—demonstrating how texture can serve as a universal language when colour fails. 

In the UK, over 3 million people are affected by Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD), including approximately 8% of men and 1 in 200 women. Despite this prevalence, urban environments often rely solely on colour-coded systems that create invisible barriers. 

By adhering to WCAG guidelines for enhanced accessibility (aiming for a 7:1 contrast ratio) and integrating tactile design, this installation challenges the standard "colour-only" approach. It invites visitors to look through the lens of those with different visual abilities, sparking a critical conversation: in a bustling metropolis like London, are we designing for the "average" eye, or for every eye? 

The Fountain of Technicolour Beads for Clerkenwell Design Week 2026

Team: Melody Siu, Karen Yeung, Clarisse Leung, Joanne Wong, Sarah Mui, Alan Cheung

Photography: Vanessa Ma

Videography: Steph Smith