Somerset House, the home of cultural innovators, marked a milestone in its remarkable transformation from historic royal palace to one of London’s best loved cultural spaces with a celebratory evening reception in its iconic Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court on Tuesday 9th September.
200 guests attended a vibrant, multisensory celebration designed to spotlight the Courtyard as a premier destination for events, brand activations, and cultural gatherings. The event also highlighted how venue hire of this standout space directly supports Somerset House’s cultural programme, nurtures its creative community, and contributes to the preservation of the Grade I listed site.
To frame the celebration, Key Structures installed two 4m x 15m clearspan marquees, each fitted with premium clear PVC roofs that offered uninterrupted views of Somerset House’s iconic architecture. These sleek structures were anchored with custom concrete ballast and finished with bespoke wooden deck boxes, combining structural precision with contemporary design.
Award-winning production house Event Concept transformed the Courtyard with a bold and immersive design inspired by seasonal produce and the theme of cultivation. Custom-built food stations from greenhouse-styled carrot displays to fig and raspberry installations, and two striking mirrored circular bars created a fun and visual experience in the Courtyard.
Alongside this, contemporary florist SAGE Flowers dressed the Courtyard with bold, abstract floral designs inspired by Tai Shani’s surrealist, otherworldly installation. The designs took on fairy-tale–like forms, using minimal ingredients arranged in abstract shapes and expressed through bold, block colours.
Food was as much a part of the cultivation event as the styling, with catering partner Moving Venue presenting a showcase of seasonal British produce at its peak, from vibrant canapes and interactive food stations, all inspired by Somerset House’s 25-year journey. The carefully curated seasonal menu featured hero ingredients such as carrots, tomatoes, figs, and raspberries with each dish reflecting Somerset House’s forward-thinking and inclusive spirit.
Entertainment for the evening was curated by Euphonica, one of the UK’s leading entertainment agencies. The dynamic line-up featured DJ Kiimi, alongside live musician Josh Cutler, creating a beautiful soundscape that echoed the event’s theme of transformation. Elevated on the Portico Rooms balcony, the DJ deck designed by Event Concept became a focal point of the evening, enhanced by synchronised lighting and video moments that animated the Courtyard and energised the celebration.
Rali Nenova, Sales and Marketing Manager at Somerset House, comments: “This special cultivation event marked a significant milestone – 25 years of Somerset House as the home for cultural innovators. It was a celebration of everything Somerset House stands for – culture, creativity and community. We’re proud to showcase the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court as a space that not only hosts unforgettable events but also supports our cultural mission and creative ecosystem.”
