Running from 4-6 February, this year’s Surface Design Show once again opened its doors at the Business Design Centre in London. Based in Islington, the annual show consisted of 189 exhibitors and over 6000 visitors over the course of the two days, 80% of which were from the architects and designers’ sector. This year’s theme of the show was Creative Conscience, placing emphasis on the future of materials in sustainability, technological advancement and the human experience across the built environment.
The Surface Design Show stated: “Creative Conscience embodies a drive and commitment to sustainable, ethical, and innovative design. This forward-thinking attitude explores the harmonious fusion of colour, sustainability and ingenuity in surface design for architecture and interiors. Harnessing creativity while encouraging meaningful connections to the world around us, designers can offer more sophisticated, adaptable, and user-centric solutions. Creative Conscience not only enhances functionality and aesthetics but also promotes a deeper connection to sustainable living.”
In line with this year’s theme, the venue hosted a range of talks and conferences ranging from case study sessions, ongoing trends and the future, to name a few. The venue also ran its annual awards event, which celebrated “excellence in the innovation and use of surfaces across the built environment”. Among this year’s winners, well-known tile manufacturer Neolith, claimed the exterior winner for the light and surface category, with its “A Reflection of Who We Are” submission. The purpose of this annual show is to showcase the ongoing trends along with new products that are being generated in the built sector which, unsurprisingly, didn’t disappoint. The show hosted an array of exhibitors, some of which were from the tile and stone sector as well as ourselves, (TSJ).
While exhibiting, we also had the opportunity to see what tile and stone companies had to offer. The show had various sections consisting of the Innovation Gallery, Surface Spotlight, Designers Hub, and the Stone Knowledge Hub. Located centrally in the design centre, The Stone Knowledge Hub, consisting of The Stone Federation and its members such as Albion Stone, Arcturus Stone, Stamford Stone and Welsh Slate, to mention a few, was back with a purpose to help interior designers and architects to find the most suited products for their stone projects. At this year’s Stone Hub, the Stone Tapestry, designed by architects Squire & Partners, in collaboration with the Stone Federation, portrayed the specifications of various natural stone, highlighting the different possibilities of nature’s tones and textures, in shapes such as hexagonal structures. The Surface Design Show says: “The piece is a truly collaborative effort featuring the expertise and materials of a host of companies including A F Jones Interiors, Albion Stone, ALS by Airelimestones, Britannicus Stone, Hardscape Surfaces, Hutton Stone Co., Lovell Stone Group, LSI Stone, Stamford Stone Co., The Marble Collective and Welsh Slate.”
International Inspiration
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) also made an appearance representing 14 Italian marble companies in a partnership with Confindustria Marmomacchine, the Italian Association of producers and processors of marble, granites and natural stone. The companies included the likes of Basaltina, Battocchio, Bauce Bruno & C. Srl, Blue srl, G.B. Basaltite Srl, Gammastone, Industria Lo Bianco, Marmeria Italiana, Marmi Colorati Coppola, Marmi Faedo Spa, Marmi Ghirardi, PI.MAR. S.R.L., Santucci Group and Silvestri Marmi. The ITA is the governmental agency that supports Italian businesses and supports them abroad through different media events and outlets, showcasing Italy’s talent in the development of products.
One of the companies that was presented was Basaltina Srl. The company is exclusive home to Basaltina natural stone. Appreciated for its colour and versatility, the company extracts lava stone in the quarries of Bagnoregio. Ghirardi, a stone contractor was also represented, portraying its ability to not only be a design consultancy but also its Italian Stone Maestro brand, which is said by the company to “interpret style in terms of elegance and quality of materials”.
Industria Lo Bianco specialises in supplying tiles, basin tops, external tiles for curtain walls and special bespoke work requested by designers in marbles and granites. Its products are designed for airports, hotels, resorts, public offices and big luxury residential houses and were also showcased at the event along with Marmi Colorati Coppala, a business that extracts and processes Sicilian marbles.
Tile of Spain also made an appearance, representing 14 ceramic tile manufacturers of 125. These include Adex, Azteca Ceramica, Apavisa Porcelanico, Cevica, Arcana Ceramica, Cristacer, Decocer, Gayafores, Dune Ceramica, Hisbalit Mosaico, El Barco, Realonda, Undefasa and Vives Azulejos Y Gres. The association aims to promote the quality innovation and values of the Spanish tile industry across the globe, particularly promoting the sustainable, energy-efficient, aesthetics, longevity and practical properties for interiors that tiles have. Realonda, portrayed its Zilij, Bari and Capri collections. Zilij is available in five colours and is said by the company to create endless spaces with authenticity and style while its Bari series is said to combine its warm tones in three different shades. Arcana Ceramica, another company that was represented showcased its Spuma Series. Available in various colours and a variety of finishes and formats, the company says its porcelain collection is a graphic with a strong personality where you will be able to create a unique atmosphere in your projects while dazzling with the art of the unexpected.
Other companies that promote products to the tile and stone industry who also exhibited at the event were Grestec, Ionic Stone, Andrews & Sons, Marbles & Tiles, Nanda, Lux Pottery, Cellecta, DC Custom Tiles and Technistone, to name a few. It’s clear why the Surface Design Show is a firm favourite among architects, specifiers and designers, with its dedication to surface materials, while creating an inspiring experience for those who’re seeking new trends and ideas to incorporate into everyday lives through design. The show is set to return next year and will take place 3-5 February 2026, at its home of the Business Design Centre in London.
www.surfacedesignshow.com
