Get your jazz hands ready and let’s celebrate sustainable design. Surface Design Show - the annual design showthat takes place in London’s Design hub in Islington each February, was a vibrant showcase ofbrands - international, as well as domestic, being creative in their mission to help our planet.
As Nickie West, Managing Director of Surface Design Show explains: "The theme for 2024focuses on the ambition to design well while doing good – with a conscious effort to protect our planet by aiming for zero waste manufactures and sustainable alternatives. The natural world remains a key influence on the design industry, inspiring new techniques andprocesses, as well as offering a wealth of material substitutes."
With 180 exhibitors and over 5000 visitors, an engaging seminar platform with over 40 speakers and18 presentations, a showcase of New Talent and an awards ceremony, Surface 2024 was a hive of activity putting a sharp spotlight on innovation and sustainability. Three key themes stood out.
First up - the pledge! These are companies doing their best to repurpose, to extend lifecycles and to minimise landfill. A second theme put the spotlight on design solutions being informed by nature. New ideas on materiality withmakers leading from the heart putting their artistry at the core of how and what they produce, anotable third. Over the course of three days, Surface felt like a united effort propelling a soul-led revolution in design - a showcase driven from the heart and leading with positive intent.
Will you make a pledge? The VITANOVA robot, created by CDUK aims to raise awareness of repurposing materials encouraging the construction industry to do more.
THE PLEDGE
Enter CDUK. Sponsors of the event, with their energetic VITANOVA robot (fig 1) raising awareness of the importance of repurposing materials. Participants are encouraged to feed the robot witha signed pledge to demonstrate their commitment to zero waste. The robot checks this for sincerity before providing a CDUK branded recycled product. A recycled aluminium water bottle, in my case! CDUK takes its own pledge quite sincerely. As Ben Brook, CDUK’s representative, explained “we’re challenging the construction industry, architects and designers, to do more”. Leading by example, they have launched a take back service under their VitaNova umbrella encouraging the return of unwanted end-of-life surface materials. They have worked with McDonalds on a recent kit-out to reuse their old troughs and have managed to repurpose 2.5 tonnesof Corian samples. Across the range of brands they represent, Polygood, with its colourful display of recycled surfaces also includes an impressive range of acoustic textile panels made from 70% recycled materials (fig 2: “Change Shouldn’t mean waste”: Polygood displaying its range of recycled materials at Surface (first two pictures in selection above) with repurposedFrench firemen’s uniforms into acoustic material (pic 3) while the multicoloured version (pic 4) is made from recycled plastic pellets.).
Within this “Pierreplume” range, old teddy bears, repurposed hotel sheets and old clothes generally -are all kept out of landfill. They have even launched a range of acoustic panels made entirely from French fire fighter’s uniforms! (swoon alert!).
Luxury plasterer, Armourcoat has launched a range of plaster made from 75% recycled marble combined with lime and clay. The marble provides texture while the lime and clay improve durability.A special acoustic plastic which aims, as sales rep, Ian Masonbury, puts it, to “recharge your soul” is made entirely from recycled processes in three layers: the top recycled crushed marble, a middle layer of recycled glass beads and a thicker layer made from recycled glass wool (fig 3: Ian Masonbury demonstrating theexceptional nature of Armourcoat’s plasterwhen applied in acoustic control (far left) which is “exceptionally good forcommunal areas and takes away harshclatterings”. The effect is quite literally cocooning. Pictures 2 and 3 show Armourcoat’s range of natureinspired plaster from the rough to the very smooth. Pic 4 shows the three layers - all formed from recycling processes.)
Leather by AlmaWall - From its factory in Whitechapel, in London, AlmaWall is producing an incredible array of leather using by-products of animal skin to avoid those going into landfill (fi 4) while Tracey Horan from Dollyfixtures is doing her bit to keep denim aswell as fibreglass out of landfill by repurposing mannequins with their very own Saltburn twist! Her mannequins and sculptures have been used by bars and restaurants and featured in retail spaces to showcase their commitment to sustainability. Tracey Horan displaying her recycled surrealist inspired sculptures (left). She is in fact inspired by surrealism “Surrealism makes people linger and think differently” as she says. Tackling construction waste on its head, is Unilin with its pioneering approach to recycling MDF. In fact, they are able to claimthey are the first in the world to recycle MDF on an industrial scale (fig6). As well as a model of sourcing based on fallen and felled trees, they also repurpose kitchen cupboards into recycled MDF and HDF products. (Fig 6: Unilin’s stand at Surface).
Relic- a Lancaster based company - is doing amazing work spreading the word about the possibility of 100% plastic recycling aiming to make single-use plastic a thing of the past - literally a `Relic’ (fig 7). Through its foundry, Relic works with designers on a micro level to create higher value for plastic that would otherwise be wasted by capturing it into longer-life items through injection moulding or sheet making.
Exciting developments were also on show at the EARTH ANATOMY stand (fig 8) which has launched a whole range of panels made from natural ingredients: coffee, pine needles, stone dust, marble dust, wood ash, salt amongst its examples. Earth Anatomy were showing the incredible range of finishes it can produce using predominantly natural materials.
DESIGN INFORMED BY NATURE
“Nature” whether expressed literally in design motifs such as these large scale tiles by Indian companyLetina - or whether inferred as a lighting solution, as in this treatment by CDUK, continues to impress the desire to create better (fig 9: Large format “nature” inspired design byIndian company, Letina who offer a spectacular range of tiles within their 23 acre factory in Gujurat (left) while the picture on the right is a lighting solution by CDUK in collaboration with designer Marino Romano. The translucency of Corian and its ability to be carved helps create these interesting nature inspired designs.
Gökhan Karakuş, Director/Designer of Emedya Design and Consultant to the Turkish NaturalStone Industry, who were at the show with their stunning display of natural stone (fig 10), waxed lyrical about how biophilic principles underlie the centuries old tradition of a Hamman. The continueddominance of natural stone in Hammans, provides benefits to blood circulation and an important mental shift as the stone responds to circadian rhythms - each groove absorbing and responding to light. Turkish natural stone. The 3Dgrooves in the way the stone can becarved can enhance circadianrhythms - a feature commonly associated with biophilic design, through their play with light and shadow.
Austrian brand, Organoid with its thrilling range of surfaces (fig 10), is one to watch. Inspired by Austrian valleys (they are in fact based near the Wildspitze, Tirol’s highest mountain) and specificplants; rose petals, moss, wildflowers, alpine hay, lavender- they have launched an incredible range ofsurfaces, used to cover walls, as well as veneers in furniture like lampshades or embedded within glass to offer screening. What really sets Organoid apart is not just the beauty of their designs but the 360 sensory experience they aim to create. Rooms quite literally come alive with the scent of their product. The representatives at the stand shared the story of Austrian hotel, Hochzillertal, who trialled aroom using Organoid’s Lavender paper as a feature behind the main bed.
The soothing lavender scent, as well as the overall impression of its application as wallpaper, left such a positive experience on guests, that the hotel decorated other rooms and have developed their brand embracing the power of the botanic. Fig 10. Organoid’s range of Surfaces. The sample at the forefront of this image features Organoid’s Lavender which was used in Hotel Hochzillertal in Austria. Fig 11: Inspiration from the valleys in Tirol: a selection of Organoid’s surfaces. Wildflowers and hay (far left) - and itsapplication as a lamp. Condensed Rose petals (middle) andmoss (far right). Organoid has also developed a range made from coffee.
Underlying Organoid’s work is a model where sourcing is as local and as sustainable as possible. From local farmers they source fragrant Alpine hay, from perfume factories they use by-products that would have otherwise been burnt. From moss walls, they source leftovers and their lavender is from waste created by small farms across the French Provence. They have also developed their very own natural bonding formula which they use as analternative to adhesive. This is a brand which, because of its strong link to biophilia, lives and breathes sustainable design. In terms of both beauty of product and the processes involved in its production, Organoid’s approach is nothing short of inspirational.
MAKERS LEADING FROM THE HEART
In this final category of inspiring brands come from the makers themselves. Artists, who arechallenging the world with their passion and talent. From ceramist, Chloe Mountain, the launch of Beetware, a versatile and biodegradable material comprised of British ceramic and sugar production waste (fig 12: Beetware - the many uses it can be putto). Rosy Napper, also a ceramist showcased ReCinder, a100% recycled material made from discarded ceramic and waste ash that has been diverted from landfill and now developed as a greener alternative to industrially processed clay. (Fig 13: ReCinder used to create alight solution).
From ex graffiti artist, James Payne (fig14), a nature inspired twist on Venetian plaster in his brand Hikitia. “Why did I choose this name thateverybody struggles to pronounce? I chose Hikitia, as it means “uplifting” in Polynesian. I believe that I too am uplifting surfaces, but also in terms of people’s vibrational energy as they view my work”. Experimenting as a graffiti artist, adding dyes to his paint and then pigments like iron and liquid metals, bronze and tin and trowel marks for texture he has created his very own approach to plaster. “Likemany artists I take a lot of my inspiration from nature. I see the raw beauty in natural imperfections that create individuality. A quality that makes each piece of my work unique and a ‘one of a kind’ for my client”. He now supplies restaurants and bars andtalks with pride how he created a gold ceiling for MNKY HSE in London.
Fig 14: James Payne, founder of Hikitia, putting his soul into creating uplifting design. His range of finishes are all inspired by natural elements - the addition of iron ore creates a unique surface Incorporating marketry as his key technique is artist Ravi Bains (fig 15) who from his base in Cornwall, hascreated Stratum Design. Combining his art with carpentry he has created a unique approach to design. “I love materials and smashing them together” he says. “I have a fascination with scaffolding - because it’s the most interesting state in which a building will exist - you can see its organ, itsskin, the components that make it greater than the sum of its part”. So too with marketry - each little mark a sum of a wider part which he now uses to detail flooring, kitchen handles - even his clipboard! (fig 15).
Fig 15: Ravi Bainsshowing marketry beingused on his clipboard!The hexagonal cut outs(middle pic) are a menu ofpossibility showcasing thedifferent designs that Stratum can produce using marketry techniques and on the right, its application in parquet flooring.
Another exciting discovery is Alberto from Syntarqui who, from his factory 30 miles outside Milan, creates stunning meshes which can be incorporated into glass to create screenpartitions. His designs are made from a high tenacity polyester coated with a fine layer of metal called Arquifil, with an impressive range of finishes - all customisable “If you don’t like ittoo gold, we make it less gold. If you want a pattern, we can do a pattern”. Core to Alberto’s talent is hisbackground in making textiles - he was in fact a weaver by trade.
Fig 17: A selection of Syntarqui’s meshes. Each mesh looks like a piece of tapestry - and when applied to glass can create stunning effects with light. Extensively used in Italy, it is Alberto’s hope (as well as mine) that the beauty of this creative application will also be adopted by designers in the UK.
With its vibrant exhibitors, Surface 2024 not only showcased the forefront of innovation and sustainability but provided a stage for brands to surface their soul. And in this exhibition - in the way the passion for their craft was demonstrated, through thei relentless endeavours in the pursuit of principles embedded in biophilia and sustainability more generally, lies a wonderful world of design possibility.
This brilliant report was written by one of our roving reporters, Natalie Arestis. Following a career in marketing and PR, Natalie decided to pursue her own passion in design and is currently working towards a Diploma inInterior Design at London’s KLC School of Design. She is fascinatedby the stories behind brands and purposeful design and hopes one day to play her part in this important process as an interior designer.
Embrace the World of Material Innovation - visit in 2025!
Join thousands of professionals and 180 exhibitors dedicated to advancing material innovation at the Surface Design Show. Join us at the:
BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE, LONDON
TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2025 16:00 - 21:00
WEDNESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2025 10:00 - 20:00
THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2025 10:00 - 17:00
The Journal of Biophilic Design will also be exhibiting, booth 620. Come and say hello.
Plus our Editor Dr Vanessa Champion will be chairing a panel on The Power of Biophilic Design and Sustainable Sourcing
Drawing on the panel’s expertise in biophilic principles and extensive work across healthcare, education, and corporate sectors, we explore how integrating natural elements into our built environment. Panelists are Clare Bowman of RCZM architects and Biophilic Consultant, Suzie Longstaff Head of London Park Schools and Lisa Norton, Harrogate Garden Design