Surface area

Hosting over 150 exhibitors highlighting the very best in exterior and interior surface design, the Surface Design Show (February 5-7) provides a platform for architects, designers and specifiers to explore interior and exterior surface materials, lighting design, development and innovation.

Among those 150+ exhibitors, many are showcasing timber surfaces and materials. These include James Latham, whose portfolio includes some of the most recognised brands; and Arnold Laver, which, amongst other products, will showcase HTS RIVA, a unique ribbed/fluted panel solution, with a depth and texture that brings a new lease of life to traditional veneered panels.

Finsa will bring a selection of decors that look at future trends to the show. Finsa’s new UK range is formed by 25 decors that have been selected based on upcoming trends and aims to approach the UK market with an innovative pallet of colours and textures. The range, called ‘Expressions’, includes deeptextured wood grain decors, uni-colours and other special decors, including trendy patterns such as Terrazo Mix.

The Surface Design Show also features 40 presentations from more than 50 industry professionals, all of which are designed to engage and inspire.

The Opening Night Debate returns from 6.30pm on the first day of the show. Organised in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and New London Architecture (NLA) it will discuss whether factory-made housing can provide Londoners with better places to live.

The panel will be chaired by Peter Murray of NLA, with Ben Derbyshire of HTA Design and RIBA president, Carl Vann of Pollard Thomas Edwards and Hazel Rounding of ShedKM debating the topic ‘Factory-made Housing: is this the solution to building better homes long term?’

Returning for 2019 is the ever-popular PechaKucha Evening, hosted by Chris Dyson of Chris Dyson Architects on February 6 from 6.30pm. Speakers include Nigel Ostime of Hawkins Brown; Soraya Khan of Theis and Khan Architects; Alex Scott-Whitby of ScottWhitbyStudio; Stuart Piercy of Piercy and Co; Simon Fraser of Hopkins Architects; Alison Brooks of Alison Brooks Architects; Lucia Berasaluce of Haptic Architects and Ben Cousins of Cousins & Cousins Architects. Presenters will discuss ‘Identities and Boundaries: site specific responses to modern architecture’ in an exciting and inspiring format using 20 images, each discussed for 20 seconds.

Since 2013 the show has hosted the Surface Design Awards, now recognised as one of the most respected events in the design calendar. The 2019 awards received entries from across Europe, the US, Australia, China, Korea and India. The shortlist consists of an impressive 43 projects across seven categories.

One of the finalists is Salon 64 by JaK Studio, which used smoked oak veneer cladding to line the walls of the salon; Maggie’s Centre St Barts by Steven Holl Architects, who created the unifying central staircase, interior walls and kitchen table with perforated bamboo covers; Asplund Pavilion by MAP Studio, with external cladding based on thick reconstituted wood; and Future Space Pavilion by Peter Pichler Architecture.

The Awards Presentation will take place at the show on the morning of February 7. Tickets to the presentation are available via the Surface Design Show website (www.surfacedesignshow.com). Award partners include James Latham, Finsa, Business Design Centre, Soluis and Roof Maker.