Umbrella Furniture, the UK’s leading furniture specialists was at the heart of the breath-taking features and speakers programme at the Workspace Design Show 2025. Held at the Business Design Center, Umbrella led the show as the official furniture sponsor for both design talk stages, working with leading design practises Gensler and Ryder Architecture.
Given the exceptional lineup of speakers, it came as no surprise that the talks were immensely popular. The main stage, delivered in partnership with global design practice Gensler, welcomed a full audience throughout the weeks programme from start to finish, welcoming leading architects, designers and workplace professionals throughout the two-day event. With the theme of ‘Innovate the Senses’, the stage was designed to evoke the cycle of the sun throughout the day. A backdrop screen behind the speakers transitioned between sunrise and sunset, and a vast eight-meter ‘sun’ installation from premier lighting manufacturer Fagerhult hovered above the crowd symbolising the earths daily activities from day to night. This noticeable showstopper was collated by Umbrella who sourced the furniture portfolio working directly with Gensler, creating the perfect setting with pieces from leading manufacturers Cecoceco, Bartra, Ercol, Davison Highley, Lapalma, Boss, Norman Copenhagen and Origin.
Main Stage designed by Ryder Architects
The Occupiers Forum, another highlight at the show, was a chance for Umbrella Furniture to work with Ryder Architecture on the ‘Insights Lounge’. As the lead furniture consultant in the design, labelled as the Wavescape Lounge, Umbrella and Ryder created a coastal landscape to stimulate all five senses for visitors, speakers and exhibitors. Featuring materials repurposed from ocean plastic waste, the Wavescape Lounge addressed environmental challenges through a unique material palette. With the use of ocean plastic waste, timber and temporary materials such as wood and ceramic, the stage showcased the potential of repurposed materials and the power of conscious design in tackling ocean waste and promoting sustainable practices in the built environment.
‘We were given the task of working with Ryder Architecture and Gensler to create these fantastic seminar spaces’, says Matt Clarke, MD of Umbrella Furniture, “After reviewing the original concept documents from Ryder and Gensler, we held several collaborative workshops to transform their innovative visions into reality.”
Further immersing himself with the show, Matt Clarke had the opportunity to be part of an insightful design talk entitled ‘Inclusivity in design – balancing functionality, aesthetic and the diverse needs of a workforce’. Chaired by Design Insider Editor Alys Bryan, the discussion included Elena Panagiotidis, Managing Director at Siren Design; Marco Gastoldi, Associate at Gensler; and Rachel Merriman, Head of Facilities for The FA Premier League.
Speaking about his panel discussion on the main stage, Matt Clarke says, “For me, inclusivity is such a broad topic, but it really comes down to the user’s journey. How does someone feel welcomed when they first walk into a workspace? Can they easily move around and find their way? Do they know where they’ll be working or if they need to book a desk? Can everyone access the kitchen area? Are people comfortable doing their tasks? I think interior designers face the biggest challenge in creating these inclusive spaces, and our role as furniture suppliers is to support that process by providing the right pieces that both designers and end users actually need.”
Firmly established as part of the global workplace event calendar, Workspace Design Show triumphs again welcoming over 5000+ workplace professionals from more than 40 countries, showcasing an impressive array of 500+ innovative products, an incredible speaker programme and breath-taking features. Workspace Design Show will return from 25 – 26 February 2026 at the Business Design Centre in London.