‘The Dalmore Presents…’ from Chorus Arts

Meet Chorus Arts 

Chorus Arts specialise in creating and curating experiences spanning art, design and architecture that spark dialogue and tell powerful stories.

‘The Dalmore Presents…’ celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and emerging talent, inspired by The Dalmore’s commitment to supporting creative practice. Held at Frieze Gallery’s No. 9 Cork Street during West End Galleries Night, the event showcased seven creatives, including five emerging furniture designers specialising in sustainable timber fabrication.

The event welcomed discerning art audiences, influencers and design media, and was Chorus Arts’ second year collaborating with The Dalmore and No. 9 Cork Street.

The objectives 

For The Dalmore Presents…, Chorus Arts embraced a fully integrated sustainability approach, ensuring that every decision aligned with their environmental and social responsibility ethos.

The brief expanded from the 2024 event to include a curated exhibition, increasing the potential environmental impact. The challenge was to ensure that this growth did not compromise sustainability but rather reinforced their commitment to reducing emissions and enhancing social sustainability.

Key objectives included:
Materials and design: Using pre-existing furniture prototypes, selecting recyclable materials, and partnering with eco-conscious printers.
Environmental impact: Reducing waste from the 2023 event by over 50%, eliminating single-use plastics, and sourcing fully vegetarian meals.
Transportation: Consolidating shipments, prioritising low-carbon transport, and encouraging public transit for team members.
Social sustainability: Supporting emerging furniture designers and diversifying opportunities beyond London. Ensuring fair contracts, mentoring designers, and celebrating diverse craft traditions.

The solution 

With TRACE, Chorus Arts could precisely measure key impact areas and implement solutions effectively:

Materials and design:
– Shipped all furniture in 100% reusable, plastic-free packaging.
– Designed all graphics for reuse, repurposing a custom illustration for The Dalmore’s Glasgow office.
– Used 100% recyclable materials for signage and interpretation.
– Catalogues printed on recycled paper using plant-based inks and biodegradable foiling.
– Worked with a printer using 100% renewable energy.

Environmental impact:
– Achieved a 75% reduction in landfill waste (vs 2023), with 55% of waste directed for re-use and 37% recycled.
– Eliminated single-use plastics in cocktails and food service.
– Offset emissions through Ecolibrium.

Transportation:
– Consolidated deliveries across multiple projects, cutting mileage by 52%.
– Encouraged pooled transport and public transit for team members.

The conclusion 

By embedding sustainability into every aspect of The Dalmore Presents…, Chorus Arts exceeded their objectives and demonstrated that luxury events can be environmentally and socially responsible. The project set a benchmark for sustainable luxury, showing that creativity and sustainability can seamlessly coexist.

Key results:
– Exceptionally low event emissions of 0.74tCO2e.
– 408% increase in online social engagement compared to 2023, attributed to the compelling sustainability narrative.
– Significant waste reduction and enhanced transport efficiency, minimising carbon impact.
– Working with TRACE enabled Chorus Arts to quantify and refine their sustainability efforts, ensuring that each project iteration builds upon a foundation of continuous improvement.