The Surface Design Show 2020 inspired visitors with the best in Surface Innovations.

The 2020 edition of the Surface Design Show, which took place at London’s Business Design Centre from the 11-13 February, impressed with more surface material and architectural lighting designs than ever before.

More than 170 exhibitors showcased the best in surface design, with nearly 5,000 architects, designers and specifiers visiting over the packed 2 ½ days. With a focus on the trending topic of ‘Close to Home…Locally Sourced’, the show looked beyond aesthetics and into manufacturer’s impact on the environment, from the processes used in mining or manufacture, through to the carbon footprint sustained during sales and distribution.

“For an industry-specific show, with an aim to gain tangible results, there is no better. Conversations and connections made at past shows are still prosperous today. It is the right setting and the desired audience” – Emily Skinner - Sally Angharad

Over the course of Surface Design Show, there was a full schedule of insightful and entertaining discussions and talks including the ever-popular Opening Night Debate which was supported this year by RIBA and Architextural and the lively PechaKucha evening, which was hosted by Chris Dyson of Chris Dyson Architects. The carefully curated talks programme kept visitors engaged as they were educated on ways of thinking about materials, current industry issues and trends including several talks which focussed on the Close to Home theme.

“I am always impressed by the buzz at Surafce Design Show and the sense of good conversations being had, and fortuitous connections being made, which is tangible in this elegant building. It seems to be the right size with the right content and it, therefore, attracts the right audience. The talks and events have been particularly good and a pleasure to participate in”- Veronica Simpson – Freelance Design Journalist

Co-located within Surface Design Show was the ever-popular Light School which educated visitors of the importance of the relationship between light and surface by bringing together leading manufacturers and suppliers with architects and designers looking to specify their products. A highlight of Light School was its stand out seminar programme – Light Talks; a series of sessions collated by the Institution of Lighting Professionals. The new Light Talks theatre was designed by Rebecca Weir’s Lightbout.iQ. The design featured a range of surface materials creatively lit to emphasise the essential link between light and materials.

As well as established brands, Surface Design Show is committed to supporting and promoting up-and-coming designers in the materials sector with its New Talent section which was expanded for 2020. Curated by chief creative director at Trendease International Jennifer Castoldi. The New Talent area allowed designers, who have been in the industry five years or less, to have a devoted exhibition area, giving them the opportunity to showcase and engage face to face with a hard to reach and targeted audience. The 32 New Talents included That’s Caffeine, a start-up that creates products from waste coffee grounds and knitted textile specialist Charlotte Clayton.

“Exhibiting at New Talent has given me great networking opportunities. I have engaged in many discussions regarding the Trifold system as well as the world of design with a range of industry experts. This has allowed me to expand my contact catalogue and explore new ways of thinking that I had not previously considered. I have made contacts with fellow exhibitors considering collaborations, which is truly valuable. To top it all off, Trifold was awarded the New Talent Award at the Surface Design Awards”. Hannah Davis - Trifold

Launched six years ago the Surface Design Awards has become an integral part of the show, growing in stature to become one of the most respected accolades in the design awards realm. The 2020 Awards had over 100 entries from 12 countries including as far afield as America, India and Australia. There were 14 categories in total, from Retail and Public Building to Commercial Projects and Housing, including new categories Public Realm and Affordable Housing. The entries comprised the best in architecture and design from across the globe; Giles Miller Studio, Mikhail Riches and Chris Dyson Architects from the UK, Steven Holl Architects from the USA, and Kris Lin International Design from China were among those shortlisted.

The impressive Krushi Bhawan from Bhubaneswa, India by Studio Lotus was named the Supreme Winner, as well as winning the Public Building Interior and Public Building Exterior categories. Capturing the admiration of all the judges Krushi Bhawan is a testament to design, created for the Odisha State Government’s Agriculture Department in India. The centre incorporates an eye-catching façade drawn from vernacular materials and narratives, which responds to the local climate and offers a glimpse into the region’s agricultural folklore and mythology, which has been envisioned at an unprecedented architectural scale.

Judge Paul Priestman of PriestmanGoode praised the project's sense of place, stating “This building characterises that part of the world. It’s a lovely reflection of culture using local materials”. Glenn Johnson of Collins Aerospace added, “Somebody’s heart and soul is in this building”. The Awards were hosted by architecture and design writer Aidan Walker

“The show’s unique offer is becoming stronger and stronger year by year as the sustainability agenda matures. The awards scheme is deeply impressive both in the quality of entries and the vast International reach”. Aidan Walker

Surface Design Show 2021 will take place from 9-11 February 2021 at Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH