Surface Design Awards 2026: Now Officially Open With New Judging Format Revealed

The Surface Design Awards 2026 are now open for entries, launching with exciting new categories and a refreshed judging format. Now in their 14th year, the awards continue to champion the very best in architecture, design, and manufacturing—shining a spotlight on material excellence and design innovation from the UK and around the globe.

SDS (Surface Design Show) is the event of choice for architects and designers. The exhibition is the place where the entire design community immerses themselves in the latest and most inspiring materials for the built environment. Held annually (3–5 February 2026) at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, SDS26 will focus on Material Evolution, exploring sustainability, circular systems, material transparency, and inventive reuse. SDS invites visitors to discover innovative materials, gain new insights and network with likeminded designers, architects, and suppliers.

Museum of Meenakir Heritage & Flagship Store for Sunita Shekhawat by Studio Lotus

A New Judging Process

For 2026, the awards introduce a new format that will see a panel of distinguished judges—each selected for their specialist knowledge and expertise—evaluate entries across ten categories. The updated award categories reflect the most innovative products and projects that are shaping the future of materiality in design. Divided between ‘Projects’ and ‘Products’, judges will lead conversations within their area of expertise, while also collaborating with the full panel to shape the overall decisions.

tHE gRID Architects – ROAST & TOAST

Supporting Young Designers

A key element of the Surface Design Show is supporting emerging talent. This year, that commitment is strengthened with the launch of the Emerging Talent Award. This invite-only category will welcome entries from selected students and universities, showcasing projects that demonstrate outstanding material innovation.

Award Categories

Projects

• Lighting

• Hospitality

• Public Realm

• Facades

• Regenerative Design

Products

• Innovation

• Digital

• Sustainability

• Material Transformation

• Heritage & Craft

The Judging Panel

The 2026 panel brings together some of the most respected voices in the design industry, each offering unique insights into their field of expertise. Judges include:

• Muyiwa Oki – President, RIBA

• Tina Norden – Principal, Conran & Partners

• Arthur Mamou-Mani – Director, Mamou-Mani

• Seetal Solanki – Founder & Director, Ma-tt-er

• Barbara Chandler – Founder, Green Grads

• Oscar Pearce – Co-Founder, Design Burger

• Michael Grubb – Founder, Michael Grubb Studio

• Tim Bowder-Ridger – Principal & Partner, Conran and Partners

• Roddy Clarke – Design Journalist, Presenter & Consultant

• Tim Gledstone – Partner, Squire & Partners

In addition, the Outstanding Contribution Award will be presented to a practice or studio that has made a significant impact on the industry.

Phil Hutchinson

Looking Back: 2025 Highlights

The 2025 edition attracted a wide range of global submissions, showcasing projects and products that pushed the boundaries of material use and design. Many finalists embodied strong sustainability principles alongside striking creativity.

The Supreme Winner was the Museum of Meenakari Heritage & Flagship Store for Sunita Shekhawat by Studio Lotus—praised by the judges as “a beautiful surface with beautiful character… it lights up like a jewel at night.”

Key Dates

• Entry Deadline: 5pm, 17 October 2025

• Judging: Late November 2025

• Awards Ceremony: Wednesday 4 February 2026, 6pm at the Business Design Centre, London (during SDS26)

The ceremony will feature a champagne reception, live entertainment, and presentation of trophies designed from repurposed plastic by The Good Plastic Company.

Event Director’s Comment

David Todd, SDS Event Director, said:

“We are incredibly excited to introduce these new enhancements to the Surface Design Awards. They reflect the vital importance of materiality in architecture and design. By refining the judging process and expanding the categories, we are creating an even stronger platform to showcase the very best of innovation and creativity in our industry—celebrating projects and products that are shaping the future of surface design.”

The Surface Design Awards 2026 promise once again to uncover and celebrate the very best in design excellence, providing a global platform for groundbreaking projects and product design.