Surface Design Show 2016 is the perfect place to explore the latest trends in surfaces for the built environment. Taking place from 9-11 February at London’s Business Design Centre, over 150 exhibitors will be showcasing the best in exterior and interior surface design giving visiting architects, designers and specifiers the chance to discover the latest trends for 2016/17.
Since its inception in 2005 the Show has become the destination for industry people to see, touch and explore the latest materials, gain new insights and understand how environmental considerations are impacting architecture and interior design.
There is also an extensive programme of events, lectures and installations many of which will give insight into the materials, colours and designs that will make their mark in 2016/17. Future Thinking is Surface Design Show’s annual look at the future of materials, highlighting colours, topics and surface trends for 2017. New for 2016 will be Surface Spotlight Live curated by Sally Angharad, a leading UK colour and trend consultant. Surface Spotlight Live will be a tactile display of surfaces for the Retail Design sector (sponsored by Concord) and Health + Wellbeing sector (media partner Healthcare Design & Management Magazine), capturing the key material directions and developments and presenting product samples for visitors to interact with and learn more about.
Sally Angharad has highlighted some of the trends that she will be looking out for during Surface Design Show 2016.
“Texture is key, I will be looking for surfaces that address all the senses and encourage touch and feel as we look for more engagement with our surroundings. Colour continues to be very important. Sophisticated bright colour palettes are emerging in new material collections and I am also looking forward to seeing the exhibitors offering customers the potential to specify a bespoke colour.”
Along with texture and sophisticated bright colours two other trends identified are geometrics and reflections.
Texture
Many of the bespoke surface designers exhibiting at the show focus on creating texture through their material choice or through the composition of the materials. Heliot & Co (stand IC/3) define their surfaces through texture and graphic composition. Angled ridges in the ‘Louvre’ tile enables them to show varied tone depending on their composition and rotation. Evan James Design (stand IC/7) also creates texture through composition bending laser cut birch ply into a 3D sensory surface. Cliq Designs (stand 118) create quilted acoustic panels, more than just a technical solution as the quilting creates great pieces of stand-alone artwork.
Geometric
Strong geometric surfaces have been on the upturn since geometric shapes and patterns made a return last year. Artisan wood floorers Cheville Parquet (stand 464) fashion beautiful flooring designs including chequers, chevron and broderie all of which create a dramatic geometric design. New to Surface Design Show 2016 is Pintark by LOCO Design (stand 414), their stunning surfaces combine modern technology with traditional craftsmanship producing remarkable patterns. Truno and Cuboid are both geometric examples using lizard imprint leather, brushed bronze metal, chestnut veneer and black smoke pearl leather. Emperor Hex from Grestec Tiles (stand 200) is a terracotta, encaustic effect tile incorporating many on trend styles including geometric patterns.
Reflection
Rupert Bevan (stand 336) are specialists in bespoke surface finishes. Rupert Bevan and his team of skilled artists produce an extraordinary and ever expanding array of glass & mirror finishes. Quartz (stand 424) is a contemporary alternative to the traditional chandelier. The pendants sparkle with sunlight and ambient light presenting an impressive array of light and reflection around them. Lumiscopic (stand IC/1) will be exhibiting an exclusive Dichroic Lighting collection that can be incorporated into a variety of surfaces including feature wall panels, worktops, shelving or furniture. They are created using light responsive textured acrylics and high-quality LED light sheets, the illuminated bespoke surfaces change colour depending on the viewing angle and project a vibrant spectrum of coloured light.
Sophisticated Bright Colours
Bright colours are a modern surface design trend generating an energetic and unique ambience. Blackheath Products (stand 420) offer a world of colour. Mazan from Blackheath Products is a modern alternative to glass, ideal for applications throughout the domestic or commercial sector. Texaa (stand 268) design and manufacture innovative sound absorbing products made from porous foam, which are then woven. They create visually exciting sound absorbers in a choice of vibrant brights. James Latham (stand 206, 208, 304) is now offering KYDEX, a thermoplastic sheet, which is an ideal surface for high impact applications such as retail, aviation, healthcare or educational. Available in 3,500 colourways the possibilities of KYDEX are vast.
Professionals can attend for free by registering via the website www.surfacedesignshow.co.uk