We went to The Surface Design Show 2022 at Business Design Centre, London
Heralded as the leading event for architects and designers, The Surface Design Show 2022 was held last week in London. With over 170 exhibitors including some of the top suppliers for surface materials, it’s a show not to miss. We left our desks behind and went along to find out about new trends. Here’s what we found.
With new technologies and cutting-edge design, it seems anything goes. Wood paneling, limestone, wool, mirrors and even lavender are some of the materials now being used to transform surfaces.
Sustainable Materials
Without doubt, being more sustainable was the hot topic, with the opening night debate focusing on this. We heard a lot of discussion around how biodegradable and recycled ingredients are key to making products appear attractive to designers and consumers alike. It is clear that many companies are striving to meet these standards – and expectations. With a march towards repurposing materials, breathing new life in to old surfaces and celebrating what may previously have been considered unusable, there was an air of positivity around this way of designing and manufacturing.
One company that grabbed our attention for leading the way in sustainability was Chryso. It designs, produces, markets and delivers chemical solutions that help create sustainable building materials, in the form of cement additives. These additives enable cement manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint, save energy, increase productivity and improve quality. Its decorative concrete range features stamped, waxed, sanded and luminescent finishes – all stunning and seemingly popular.
The Surface Design Show 2022 – Beautiful & Tactile Portuguese Wool
Burel Architecture, who’s eye catching stand on the ground floor was easily one of the most talked about. It hit the nail on the head with both its aesthetics and sustainable values. Its clever designs, all made from Burel – a wool typical to the region of Serra da Estrella in Portugal, included wall panels, ceiling solutions, curtains and rugs. Some of its designs on display included sustainable acoustic solutions with beautiful floral designs, geometric shapes and a fabulous display of small pieces of wool that, when you stood back, was actually an image of HRH Queen Elizabeth. It was certainly one of the most memorable and most impactful stands that we visited at the show.
Plastic, but not as you know it
Another exhibitor that caught our eye was The Good Plastic Company. Exactly as its name suggests, it uses ‘good’ i.e., recycled and recyclable plastic, to make decorative panels for interior projects. Examples of these included large format tiles, tables, shelving and artwork. Highly appealing for designers is their ability to offer bespoke options, enabling designers to create their own surface designs. We can see this working in so many settings. It’s one we’ll be watching that’s for sure.
Soothing the senses
The touch-ability factor played a big part at the show too, with coverings that made you want to reach out and feel their quality, warmth and worth. From wood and limestone through to agate and cork, it was a feast for the fingers. In fact, one stand had a display that openly encouraged us to touch the wood.
Organoid, a German company, had almost all the senses wrapped up with its range of surfaces that could be used on walls, furniture, to wrap columns, for office acoustics and even for phone cases. The designs were exquisite; reminiscent of days spent outside surrounded by nature. Yes, you could also smell the products as it introduced elements including herbs and flowers. Great for commercial projects especially as the ‘outside in’ concept is still a major trend in interior design.
Spectra
Spectra had a stand that literally stopped us in our tracks with a stunning display of Ocean Green Agate underlit with light. This semi-precious quartz stone is featured in the Ivy Asia in Chelsea and we can see why – it really is a style statement. As a leading supplier specialising in natural and man-made surfaces for domestic, retail and commercial projects, Spectra supply, fabricate, finish and fit. All its stone is imported directly from its Italian quarry. Simply Wow!
Walls of art
Another stand that caught our interest – was MJR Parametric Walls. Featuring some of the most stunning line of textured, etched & multidimensional wall surfaces made from Corian® and designed by renowned Californian designer Mario Romano, they can be used in a wide variety of applications, internally and externally. The company told us they want to encourage architects, designers, artists to see walls as a blank canvas and MJR walls as the art. It certainly fired up our imagination.
SHHH – Design & Function
There was also plenty at the show to capture the imagination of interior designers working on residential projects. WoodUpp – had a fabulous display of its Akupanel. Seen in homes up and down the country adorning walls, surrounding TV systems and cladding ceilings. Greg Wright, director of the company told us why he thinks these panels have grown in popularity recently; “there was a huge gap in the market for a product to help improve the acoustics of a room, yet also provide an amazing decorative feature…which is why we created the WoodUpp panels…We hope in the future to develop even more amazing products to both stand out, and help with acoustic issues.”
Coat Paints were at the Surface Design Show 2022 too with its high-grade paint and curated palette of colours. Of course, the climate positive paint company is becoming extremely popular amongst the interior design set for its Peel & Stick swatches, popular with clients in domestic settings in particular. With a new palette recently released including soothing sage greens and pared back plaster.
Mirror, mirror
Finally, the shiny surfaces were well represented by a company aptly called Mirror By Design. Offering custom-made vintage style mirrors, Yesim Mitchell, owner and founder, told us; “mirrors have always played a strong part in interior design. Having been in the industry for ten years, things have changed so much…mirrors are more like works of art.” He went on to explain how they are now working with architects and designers and installing mirrors in areas previously not considered suitable such as kitchen splash backs.
And our final thoughts…
The Surface Design Show 2022 – A compelling mix of new and innovative surface materials, with sustainability, functionality, texture, and design options, all key to creating a winning product. Brands that stood out, encompassed all these, and presented their products well with inspiring images, designs and branding.
All images courtesy of the Surface Design Show