With a fortnight to go, there’s still time to enter the Surface Design Awards, with submissions being accepted until Friday 25 September 2020.
Recognising innovation in materials from around the globe, the Awards are an integral part of the Surface Design Show, held annually at London’s Business Design Centre in February.
Launched eight years ago, the Awards have grown year on year with 2020’s edition attracting over 100 entries from 13 countries, including Australia, China and the USA. Fresh for 2021, there is the chance to enter a new category, Workspaces, alongside the existing categories of Commercial Building (Interior and Exterior), Light & Surface (Interior and Exterior), Affordable Housing, Public Building (Interior and Exterior), Temporary Structure and Public Realm. Sustainability really comes to the fore for this year’s judging process, as each entry must be accompanied by a statement and calculation for the carbon footprint of the cladding/materials used.
There is also brand new judging panel, co-chaired by interior designer Nicola Osborn from Basha-Franklin and Steve Webb of Webb Yates Engineers. Members of the panel include Sarah Castle from IF_DO, which designed the first ‘Dulwich Pavilion’ in the grounds of the Dulwich Picture Gallery and Lee Mainwaring of Architecture Initiative, whose recent work includes transforming a Brutalist Royal Mail sorting office into an academy school in Northampton. Joining them are Joseph Henry of the GLA’s Regeneration Team, Nic Fallows of BNF Capital; Simona Auteri and Sofia Steffenoni from Matter of Stuff and Kresse Wesling MBE from Elvis + Kresse.
After entries close, the esteemed judging panel work in two teams, selecting a shortlist and winner for each of the categories. They then join forces to pick the Supreme Winner, recognised as the best of the best. Last year that honour went to the Krushi Bhawan building in Bhubaneshwar, India by Studio Lotus.
Projects can be submitted by the architect or designer, the client, the surface supplier or their representatives. Winners last year included Nobu Hotel in London by Ben Adams Architects, Sterling Prize winner Goldsmith Street by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley; CF Toronto Eaton Centre Bridge by WilkinsonEyre and Zeidler Architecture and University of Sheffield Concourse by Arup Lighting.
The Awards presentation ceremony will take place on Thursday 11 February 2021.
Submit your entry now via https://www.surfacedesignshow.com/surface-design-awards