Surface Design Show, incorporating Light School returned to London’s Business Design Centre last week (9-11 February) for its biggest and best show to date. It is the only show in the UK to focus on exterior and interior surfaces and for the first time it occupied both the ground floor and the entire gallery level featuring over 150 exhibitors.
Over 5600 professional visitors attended over the 2 ½ days with the majority from the architecture, interior design and lighting world. The show had a fantastic atmosphere with the 5% increase in visitor numbers creating a lively buzz throughout the venue.
Exhibitor Gregoire Comby from Texaa Architectural Acoustics commented:
“Very happy with the number of visitors, particularly architects and interior designers!”
Exhibitor Anna Roochove from Scotscape Landscaping said:
“We had more enquiries per hour at Surface Design Show than any other show we have participated in.”
Since its inception in 2005 the show has become the destination for industry people to see, touch and explore the latest materials for the built environment. 2016 did not disappoint with visitors describing this year’s show as ‘fantastic’, ‘inspiring’ and ‘informative.’
Ab Rogers, Creative Director of Ab Rogers Design and 2016 Surface Design Awards Keynote Speaker commented:
“Fantastic show, vibrant and alive, bespoke to the industry and clearly curated.”
An emphasis at the show was on new products, with many exhibitors launching new collections. Product launches included Evan James Design incorporating light into their applicate wall coverings, Float Glass Design launching a new type of glass and Pintark by LOCO Design showcasing new ‘soft’ applications in stunning material combinations.
The standard of the exhibitors at this year’s show was hugely impressive. Solomon & Wu exhibiting on the gallery level gained attention for their floor to ceiling Snow Wall Panel. Whilst Scotscape Landscaping showcased their fragrant living wall, attracting visitors with its size and beautiful scent. LED Linear, Finsa UK, Panel Piedra and Acoustic GRG Products also created impact with their impressive stands highlighting innovative products.
Throughout the Show there was a packed programme of events. Over 40 presentations covered three different seminar areas; the Main Stage, the CPD Hub and the School Room.
The Main Stage was the home of the headline acts with topics that appealed right across the design world. Talks from Houzz and the Live Debate hosted by New London Architecture as well as the ever popular PechaKucha Evening excited and engaged the audience. The Highly anticipated Surface Design Awards also took place on the main stage with IPT Architects taking the honour of Surface Design Awards Supreme Winner for their Howe Farm project.
The School Room sponsored by iGuzzini with Mondo*arc as its media partner was part of Light School. The new area for 2016 was bigger, to accommodate attendees, providing the perfect platform for talks from experts in their field including David Atkinson and Sally Storey.
The CPD Hub sponsored by BCFA and BIID was a forum for professional development where visitors gained CPD Points by attending.
Future Thinking is Surface Design Show’s annual look at forward thinking surface trends; new for 2016 was Surface Spotlight Live curated by Sally Angharad. The two sector spotlights highlighted on this inspiring and tactile display were Health + Wellbeing (media partner Healthcare Design & Management Magazine) and Retail Design (sponsored by Concord).
Surface Design Show adopted Maggie’s as this year’s chosen Charity Partner as Health + Wellbeing was a Surface Spotlight Live focus. Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends.
With 2016 proving to be such a success it is no wonder that many exhibitors have already signed up for the 2017 show.
Claudia Blair from Rug Maker commented:
“Great show, with excellent promotion in the weeks leading up to and during the event. We have already booked for next year!”
T: @surfacethinking
F: surfacedesignshow.co.uk/facebook
P: surfacedesignshow.co.uk/pinterest
I: surfacedesignshow.co.uk/instagram
L: surfacedesignshow.co.uk/linkedin
H: surfacedesignshow.co.uk/sdshouzz
#SDS16 #LightSchool