From 04-06 February, London’s Business Design Centre will host the Surface Design Show (SDS), the UK’s largest show dedicated to surface material innovation. With over 180 exhibitors, it is the event of choice for architects and designers to see, source and specify the latest and most inspiring internal and external surface materials.
‘Creative Conscience’ has been revealed as the 2025 theme and will highlight the future of materials for the built environment, focusing on sustainability, technological advancement and the human experience. The theme 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.
The plethora of exhibitors range from hand crafted ceramic tiles to stunning marble walls, bespoke wood veneers and everything in between.
For example, Ketley Brick will be showcasing its innovative approach to creating inspirational brickwork facades through its Vision Bricks. Using the latest digital technologies, relief patterns can be created on the surface of clay bricks, as well as brick slips, pavers and quarry tiles, enabling the creation of bold and adventurous wall and floor designs as well as bespoke landscaping features.
Exhibitors include Alpi, an Italian manufacturer of decorative surfaces made of reconstituted wood, the first to industrialise this process. ALPIlignum veneer is made of real wood, produced by taking apart and putting back together a tree trunk. This creates a natural unprinted material that lends itself to design possibilities offering limitless aesthetic results.
For Everyday Life (FE.L) will be presenting their award-winning design; ‘Housing Salinas.’ One of the winners of ‘The Initiative 99,’ a global architecture competition for affordable housing, ‘Housing Salinas’ is more than just architecture. Designed in response to community displacement in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria, it is the creation of a long-term solution that strives towards a future where residents can live, work, and flourish in an environment that embodies the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.
Located right in the heart of the show will be Surface Spotlight in partnership with CDUK, which features ground-breaking materials for visitors to touch and feel, giving a truly ‘hands-on’ experience. Curated by trend expert Sally Angharad, Surface Spotlight presents a selection of surfaces, finishes and materials that celebrate the power of creative thinking, demonstrating how ethical innovation is providing positive design solutions.
New for 2025 is the inclusion of Green Grads, a platform promoting recent graduates of UK universities who are confronting the world’s most pressing eco issues. They include engineers, product and furniture designers, material scientists, ceramicists, textile and graphic designers, craftspeople, artists and film makers.
SDS will host over 50 speakers throughout the three day event, providing a variety of discussions, panels and insights into the most recent design advancements. Returning for 2025 is the opening night debate titled ‘A True Companion: The Power of AI in AD’ which will be looking at artificial intelligence’s role within the design community.
Join over 6,000 architects, designers and specifiers to discover the best innovative materials for the built environment while also enjoying a stellar line up of guest speakers and thought-provoking installations.
Article submitted by Surface Design Show
