Somerset House turns 25
On 9 September 2025, we celebrated 25 years of Somerset House as a cultural powerhouse with a special evening reception in our iconic Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court.
200 guests attended a vibrant, multisensory celebration designed to spotlight our Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court as a premier destination in the heart of the capital for events, brand activations, and cultural gatherings. The event highlighted how venue hire of this standout space directly supports the Somerset House cultural programme, nurtures the creative community, and contributes to the preservation of our Grade I listed site.
To bring this milestone celebration to life, we partnered with some incredible suppliers that feature on our recommended supplier list. Each played a vital role in shaping the event, contributing their unique expertise to create a truly immersive experience.
The event was a vibrant showcase of collaboration, creativity, and cultural celebration. Each supplier played a vital role in transforming our Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court into a living, breathing expression of Somerset House’s 25 years.
Key Structures: Precision meets purpose
Key Structures installed two 4m x 15m clearspan marquees, each fitted with premium clear PVC roofs that offered uninterrupted views of the iconic architecture.
These sleek structures were anchored with custom concrete ballast and finished with bespoke wooden deck boxes, combining structural precision with contemporary design.
The team completed the installation in just under two hours and removed in just 1.5 hours the following morning.
Event Concept: Transforming the Courtyard
Award-winning production house Event Concept reimagined the Courtyard with a bold, immersive design inspired by seasonal produce and the theme of growth.
Their creative execution blended aesthetics and storytelling, and included custom-built food stations. From greenhouse-styled carrot displays to fig and raspberry installations, each station was a visual and thematic celebration of the season.
Two striking installations of mirrored circular bars created a fun and visual experience while the elevated DJ deck, which was positioned on the Portico Rooms balcony, was animated by synchronised lighting and video moments that brought the theme of cultivation to life.
Moving Venue: A culinary journey through the seasons
Moving Venue curated a bespoke menu that honoured the evolution of Somerset House and showcased seasonal British produce at its peak. Each dish on the menu was carefully created to reflect our forward-thinking and inclusive spirit.
Hero ingredients such as carrots, tomatoes, figs, and raspberries were celebrated across inventive dishes such as Vadouvan spiced carrots, tomato tonnato, soy-glazed pork belly with fig jam, and raspberry tartlets.
The interactive food stations were a huge hit with chefs engaging guests in conversations about provenance and preparation, creating a personal and educational dining experience.
SAGE Flowers: Abstract beauty in bloom
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.
Euphonica: Soundscapes of celebration
Entertainment for the evening was curated by Euphonica, one of the UK’s leading entertainment agencies. The dynamic lineup featured DJ Kiimi, alongside live musician Josh Cutler, creating a beautiful soundscape that echoed the event’s theme of transformation.