Carefully Curated High-End Product Innovations at A@W London

The architecture & design community in and around London will once again gather together on 20th and 21st March to explore the latest innovations available within the built environment at ARCHITECT@WORK London. Over 200 cutting-edge and vetted products & services will be showcased across two floors at the Truman Brewery.

First speakers announced for the 2024 edition!

One of the big draws to the show is the highly anticipated talks program, which is made up of three talks each afternoon. Within the two-day event guests will have unprecedented access to some of the country’s top experts in design and architecture.

This year’s theme ‘People + Planet : designing from the ground up’ invites discussions around the latest in biophilia, neurodiversity, wellness and embodied carbon as well as innovative applications in materials like timber and natural stone.

A special focus on the future of London will be examined through a guest speaking talk curated by The London Society. All talks will be chaired by editors, journalists and/or curators specializing in the related topic and the speakers are multi-award-winning innovators including founders and senior members of Studio Weave, Sebastian Cox, White Arkitekter, Hawkins/Brown, Nulty, Artefact and many more.

The full program can be found online here.

Inspiration & Innovation are key during ARCHITECT@WORK

Every single innovation which is showcased during A@W London has first been thoroughly assessed by a judging panel consisting of architects and interior designers. The ultimate guarantee that a visit is definitely worthwhile!

With a minimum of time and effort, you can easily expand your technical knowledge at A@W London. Every stand has got experts present to give you insights on how to best use the innovations.

A stellar line-up of internationally renowned brands is all set and ready for you to visit their stand. The exhibitor list can be consulted online.

Complementary catering in the unique setting are included during this two-day trade event aimed at architects, interior designers, project developers and other specifiers. A@W encourages networking and downtime as well as deal making opportunities!

Attend the London edition of this internationally renowned event and register online via this link. Admission is free for all trade visitors.

Since 1981, John Cullen Lighting has led the world of residential lighting design. Today their talented team works on projects across the globe, with offices in London, Dubai, Paris and Mumbai.

In light of the collaboration, Homeplay have reimagined their Experience Centre in Sunbury-on-Thames to bring the magic of John Cullen Lighting to Surrey, creating a unique destination for the Surrey design and homeowner community to experience how lighting can transform your projects.

And it’s not just lighting that they’re upgrading – they’re packing even more awesome home technology into their walls, ceilings and floors.

Follow Homeplay and John Cullen Lighting on Instagram to keep up to date with the progress!

This year’s edition of the Workspace Design Show (27 – 28 February 2024, Business Design Centre, London), presents an impressive array of features. These bring together some of the industry’s leading designers, architects and built environment partners and range from an immersive forest stage to an interactive lighting installation. Altogether, 2024’s features represent an incredible spectacle for attendees of the Show, which has become a must-visit event for office interiors professionals since its inception in 2021.

Design Talks Lounge by Gensler

Curated by Gensler, the design concept for the Design Talks Lounge at the Workspace Design Show 2024 delves into the overarching theme, ‘Bloom – Exploring the Thriving Ecosystem of Work Life’. This engaging experience aims to shed light on and draw inspiration from nature, encouraging a positive perspective on the evolving worlds of work and life. Established and independent furniture consultants, Hunters, have partnered with sustainably-focussed firms to help bring this feature to life. Office plant suppliers Exubia plays a central role with eye-capturing biophilic design, seamlessly merging live planting with innovative moss elements. This is complemented by a 66-metre custom printed fabric backdrop provided by Kvadrat, featuring a forest design and crafted by the incredibly skilled seamstresses at Waverley. The flooring, supplied by Material Hangout and Mogu, known for its bio-based solutions, reinforces the Design Talks Lounge’s environmental ethos, with the furniture carefully selected from Andreu World, a firm renowned for its commitment to sustainability, with products made from biodegradable and compostable properties. To extend the life cycle and impact of the design of the feature, post-event will see the redistribution of the plants and furniture featured, while the fabric finds a second life in charity projects, ensuring a sustainable and waste-free approach.

Entrance by tp bennett

Architectural, design and planning practice tp bennett is responsible for the design of the feature at the entrance to Workspace Design Show 2024. A series of elegant columns is arranged in a conceptual maze, serving as a symbolic representation of the intricate ecosystem of work life. Each column embodies the essence of ‘Bloom’ – another nod to the event’s theme. They stand tall and varied, representing the diversity of experiences and challenges often experienced in life and at the same time, the structures symbolize the growth, development and resilience of trees in a garden. As you navigate through the varied paths, you encounter different sculptural pieces created by Aectual, each one illustrating a delicate bloom, composed of recycled sustainable materials and textured 3D printed surfaces with accompanying organic biophilia provided by Vantage Spaces and Planteria, both experts in biophilic design & office planting. Vantage Spaces are using preserved foliage, which is harvested sustainably using natural dyes to preserve the stems and ensure they are VOC free, 100% natural & biodegradable. Overall, this conceptual maze invites contemplation on the organic nature of career progression, encouraging individuals to appreciate the beauty and resilience inherent in their professional journey. The feature is finished with a captivating modular, linear lighting system, subtly integrated by iGuzzini with contemporary textiles from Kvadrat and specialist plant lighting from Soltech.

Insights Lounge by BDP

Both the Occupiers Forum and the Sustainability Works sessions will be held in the Insights Lounge, designed exclusively by Lisa Pasi, graduate interior designer with international architects practice BDP. Also addressing the theme of, ‘Bloom’, Pasi’s concept will focus on the symbiotic relationship between man and nature. Hunters once again play a key role in terms of sourcing sustainable partners. Pasi’s vision promotes the purpose and validity of using natural materials within the workplace environment. To this end, wood and stone are not only aesthetically pleasing and foster a sense of warmth but also positively influence mood and well-being. Says Lisa Pasi, “Despite being constantly reminded of our connection to nature through our senses, this association tends to diminish when we find ourselves indoors, surrounded by artificial light and synthetic materials. Therefore, by adhering to biophilic design principles, the inclusion of natural materials will establish a connection to nature, bolstering concentration, creativity, and job satisfaction.” The sustainable credentials of flooring firms Mogu, Material Hangout and Ege carpets also underpin the concept. Overall, visitors to the Insights Lounge can enjoy a tactile experience and encounter the customisable options and unique qualities of natural materials, which are sure to enrich the overall comfort and engagement of individuals in the workplace.

Living Workplace lighting installation

Jason Bruges Studio presents two interactive lighting prototypes on the theme of ‘Living Workplace’. Each prototype is a 1:1 section of an existing, full-scale permanent artwork. The first prototype, called Energy Dynamics, originally developed for the Ukrainian energy company DTEK, uses technology for storytelling. The second prototype entitled The Experience Tunnel, was created for trading firm XTX Markets and introduces interaction to foster human connection and collaboration.

Recharge Lounge

M Moser Associates has crafted a captivating oasis featuring the exquisite Pebble Rubble modular seating range from Italian furniture manufacturer Moroso that transports us to a serene forestscape. Amidst the lively atmosphere of the Workspace Design Show, visitors will have the opportunity to be immersed in nature-inspired surroundings, where tranquillity and rejuvenation seamlessly converge. As the name suggests, the Recharge Lounge offers an opportunity to reset, refuel, recharge with Electrosonic also partnering to provide an experience where architecture, storytelling and technology connect in this enchanting retreat.

Collectively, these features will form a key part of Workspace Design Show 2024 and promote meaningful discussions around the future of workplace, particularly in terms of best practice in sustainability. Register now to attend Workspace Design Show.

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.