Surface Design Show 2023 has come to a close, and it’s been another year of meaningful conversations, inspiring ideas and the very latest innovation in surface design.
It’s been fantastic to be involved again this year. We launched our newest material Orca, shared our geometric superstructure, met face-to-face with many peers and clients and heard from some of the most prolific voices in built environment. And, the icing on the cake - our project with MONC eyewear won not one, but two awards - the Commercials Interior Surface Design Award and the Supreme Award!
MONC is a mindful and multifunctional eyewear store in central London, designed by the hugely talented Nina Woodcroft of Nina+Co, with Smile Plastics sustainable surface materials throughout. The unique retail space also received recognition as Small Commercial Retailer from the Dezeen awards for 2023.
The idea for MONC was spurred on by a discovery that the eyewear industry produces a vast amount of waste. In the production of frames for glasses, up to 80% of acetate isn’t used. Instead, going into landfill or being incinerated. MONC however, has reuse at its core. Its eyewear ranges are crafted from materials that can be recycled repeatedly. Everything inside its store can be disassembled to be reused or returned to the ground
The store’s interior design takes creative cues from its overarching mission, with a colour palette comprising pops of Apricot, from our Custom PET wash material, used for the POS display units – earthy terracotta and cool greys – seen in the corn starch foam, corrugated hemp and mycelium materials used throughout.
Collaborating with such a like-minded brand that prioritises quality, provenance and ethical production as much as aesthetics was a real joy for us. There really is nothing better! We’re delighted to see this outstanding example of circular design get the recognition it deserves - a huge congratulations to Nina+Co, MONC and EASTJR too.
Such was the quality of the Surface Design Show 2023 award entries, another project was jointly crowned the Supreme Award, Glade of Light by BCA Landscape. Glade of Light is a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the May 2017 terror attack at Manchester Arena: a space for reflection and remembrance. Congratulations to all involved in this very special project.
A big thank you to everyone who came and visited us at Surface Design Show this year.
You can read more about the MONC/ Nina+Co project over at Dezeen.
