Christmas now hurtles toward us at breakneck speed. But before the festivities commence, we’re taking a moment to share a sneak peek at what we have in store for February’s Surface Design Show (7-9 February 2023). Because it’ll be here before we know it.
Visitors to last year’s Surface Design Show may recall our Geometric Jungle – an interactive maze of materials showcasing the multitude of purposes for Smile Plastics surfaces. For next year’s event, we’ll be taking this concept and supersizing it, crafting a Geometric Superstructure with an emphasis on materials, textures, and construction.
The highly expressive 3D forms will be created using 2D sheets, with the final cluster of structures reminiscent of a city skyline. Although very much in contrast to our roots here on the Welsh coast, we’re taking inspiration from the commercial projects that feature our materials, whether residential, hospitality, retail, or workspace.
Heron – our latest material, which transforms would-be waste white goods into a stunning palette of layered feathery soft grey tones, a smattering of yellow hues, warm ochre flecks, black and blizzard white – takes the spotlight, exhibited in full 3000mm x 1200mm and 1500mm x 1200mm sheets. This selection beautifully demonstrates how versatile the sheets are, while representing how the standard sheet sizes come from just one supersize panel. With any offcuts being made into planks. It’s all part of our zero-waste philosophy – every part of the sheet is put to use.
Geometric Superstructure seeks to provide inspiration through simplicity of design – we’re letting the materials do the talking. But the exhibit is also highly functional, allowing you to explore the full scale of our materials for use in your next project.
“Following the buzz of last year’s Surface Design Show, we’re really looking forward to once again showcasing our materials in such an inspirational and creative space. 2023 is a big year for Smile Plastics, as we’re moving to bigger premises in Swansea to enable us to scale up our operations. SDS marks one of the first design shows we’re involved with next year, and it provides us the perfect opportunity to showcase our latest materials, while offering a glimpse at what’s coming next. We can’t wait to see you there.” – Rosalie McMillan & Adam Fairweather, directors, Smile Plastics
Heron takes centre stage
For 2023, we will once again be material partners for the stage at Surface Design Show. Here, panel discussions will be held with some of the most prolific voices in the built environment. And we’re delighted to be contributing to such a hub of insight and innovation for the second year running.
The stage design playfully extends the interactive 100% recycled/recyclable backdrop of 2022 that bit further. The signature interactive modular design so wonderfully conjured by our customer experience manager, Emily Skinner, is captured again in a panelled framework, this time championing our newly launched Heron material.
“Materiality and material narratives remain central to the theme, pushing the boundaries of the production process to include a multitude of colours and yet still be functional and movable whilst in situ to delight differently on every day the tradeshow takes place. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for this chameleon-like artwork.” - Emily Skinner, customer experience manager, Smile Plastics.
Talking the talk
The sourcing of local materials is an integral part of our business model, and so we’re thrilled to be joining the Sourcing Locally panel debate at Surface Design Show on 8 February, 1:45 – 2:15pm – featuring our main stage backdrop.
Emily Skinner will join architect Richard Penman and interior designer Camilla Leech in conversation with Veronica Simpson to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with working with the waste that’s on your doorstep.
Find out more about the talks programme here.
With just a couple of months before the show opens its doors, we’re busy working away on final preparations. Stay tuned to our social media channels ahead of February to see more sneak peeks of our SDS activity, and in the meantime, grab your free ticket here. See you there!
