Returning for its 13th edition, the highly anticipated Surface Design Awards are now officially open for entries. Organised by Surface Design Show (SDS), these prestigious awards shine a spotlight on the industry’s most talented architects and designers and their use of materiality. Judged by an expert panel of esteemed professionals within the creative sector, the awards celebrate design excellence from across the globe.
Recognised internationally, the 2024 awards attracted over 160 entries across an unprecedented 20 countries, showcasing the most impressive and innovative use of materials in both architectural and interior design projects globally.
This year’s head judges are Jorge Mendez-Caceres, Founding Director of For Everyday Life and Tony Chambers, Founder of TC & Friends for Interiors and ex Editor in Chief of Wallpaper*. Jorge Mendez-Caceres will be heading up the exterior categories and will be joined by Amrit Seera, architect at Vabel, Jon Eaglesham, Managing Director at Barr Gazettas, James Dixon, Director at Benoy Architects and Yvette Hanson, Director at TP Bennett. Tony Chambers will be heading up the interior categories and will be joined by Lee Roberts, Director at Zebra, Pernille Bonser, CEO of Resonate, Simon Hamilton, Interior Designer and Associate Lecturer & Future Practice Leader at The Royal College of Art and Amber Luscombe, Head of ESG and Senior Development Manager at Oxygen.
Together, the judges will evaluate entries across seven categories, which are separated into Interior & Exterior; Surface of the year, Commercial Building, Housing, Light and Surface, Public Building and Landscape & Public Realm. Once the shortlisted entries are selected from both the interior and exterior categories, the judges will come together to choose the ultimate Supreme Winner. Additionally, there is a separate category for Architectural Photography judged by both the interior and exterior judges.
New for 2025 is the Outstanding Contribution Award, this award is not judged but presented to a person who Surface Design Show (SDS) recognises as having made an outstanding contribution to the design industry.
The 2024 entrants showcased remarkable uses of materials in both architectural and interior projects, with the finalists embodying creative ingenuity and highlighting a global tapestry of visionary design excellence, all while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability. Among the outstanding winners, the judges praised The Tarang Pavillion by The Grid Architects from India as ‘a true beauty of interior spaces with the interiors connecting to the whole construction’. The Tarang Pavillion won the Light and Surface Interior category and was also awarded the prestigious title of Supreme Winner.
Surface Design Awards encourages participation from a diverse range of practices, large or small. All shortlisted and winning entries will receive significant recognition across multiple platforms, including exposure through the judging panel, social media, the Surface Design Show website, and at the physical show itself.
The closing date for Surface Design Award entries is Monday 28th October, with judging taking place in mid-November 2024. The winners will be announced at London’s Business Design Centre on Wednesday 5th February 2024.