Plan Your Visit to Surface Design Show 2024

With under 2 weeks to go until Surface Design Show opens its doors, now is the time to start planning your visit.

Discover the latest advancements in surface materials from over 180 exhibitors, many of whom will unveiling new materials for 2024. Surface Design Show 24 will be the most international to date welcoming over 60 international companies from 17 different companies which include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Turkey, USA, Uzbekistan, Spain and the Ukraine. Surface Design Show will also be welcoming back its friends from The Italian Pavilion; the collective Italian area is devoted to the best in Italian stone with the 2023 edition featuring 21 exhibitors revealing the beauty of Italian stone.

Under the theme of ‘Mindful Living,’ Surface Design Show will delve into the integral role of materials and their properties in shaping multi-sensory spaces. The show will scrutinise the ongoing fusion of virtual and real worlds, probing into the implications of technological advancements and novel design approaches on the built environment. Look out for Surface Spotlight Live, a focal point where the theme takes centre stage.

From well-known names to those just starting out in the industry, Surface Design Show has it all. The New Talent area sponsored by CDUK, is curated once again by Jennifer Castoldi, Chief Creative Director at Trendease, will be a must-visit section of the show with the very best in emerging creatives displaying an inspiring range of biomaterials, natural materials, textiles, furniture and wallpaper.

Located at the heart of the show and curated by material, design and trend expert Sally Angharad is Surface Spotlight Live. The 2024 edition will shine a light on cutting-edge surfaces, finishes and processes that embrace the future and harness the vital role materials play in design across all dimensions.

The Stone Knowledge Hub is also returning to the 2024 Surface Design Show, bigger and better than ever. Building on the success of the 2023 edition and thanks to the increase in the number of Stone Federation members wanting to showcase their materials and expertise, the size of this feature has increased. The go-to place for architects and designers looking to find inspiration and information for their natural stone projects, the Stone Knowledge Hub is host to some of the leading names with the UK natural stone sector.

The ever-popular Opening Night Debate will take place on Tuesday 6 February and will be hosted by acclaimed journalist and editor Louis Wustemann, titled Human Capital, Risk and Retention. The retention of talent is currently the single greatest risk to businesses, it is also considered the hardest issue to solve. Louis and his guests including Nicola Osborn of Basha Franklin and Mark Shayler of Ape will discuss the moving parts around creating environments to inspire a diverse range of employees.

Partnered with Smile Plastics this can be found on the Main Stage where over the rest of the two and a half days a range of debates, panels, trend forecasts and insights into the latest material innovations will take place. The Legends Live series of fireside chats with experienced industry professionals also returns this year hosted by Design Insider editor Alys Bryan and featuring industry legends Matthew Hilton, Gurvinder Khurana & Tom Lloyd. Other speaking sessions include Trend Forecasts by Colour Hive’s Hannah Malein, a look at the transformative power of colour from Justine Fox whilst Grant Gibson founder of award-winning pod cast Material Matters will be chatting to Andrew Waugh of Waugh Thistleton Architects.

Surface Design Show is also delighted to be introducing a new charity partner Furnishing Futures, Furnishing Futures focuses on creating beautifully designed, fully furnished healing homes for women and children who have suffered domestic abuse. As part of the partnership with Surface Design Show, renowned UK street artist Olivier Roubieu will create two live murals across the event. These artworks will be auctioned, with all proceeds contributing to Furnishing Futures mission of creating safe and welcoming homes for survivors of domestic abuse.