Entries are now open for the prestigious Surface Design Awards which celebrate the most impressive and sustainable use of materials in, and on, architectural projects from around the globe.

The last edition had 107 entries spanning 13 different countries including India, Australia, China and the USA with the 2020 Supreme Winner being awarded to the Krushi Bhawan building in Bhubaneswar, India by Studio Lotus.

Nobu Hotel in Shoreditch, London by Ben Adams Architects – Winner of Commercial Building Exterior Award, Surface Design Awards 2020

Other winners included Sterling Prize winner Goldsmith Street by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley; Nobu Hotel in London by Ben Adams Architects; CF Toronto Eaton Centre Bridge by WilkinsonEyre and Zeidler Architecture and University of Sheffield Concourse by Arup Lighting.

Muse by Woven Image – Winner of Sustainable Interior Surface Award, Surface Design Awards 2020

The 2021 Awards include a new category of Workspaces as well as previous categories; Commercial Building (Interior and Exterior), Light & Surface (Interior and Exterior), Affordable Housing, Public Building (Interior and Exterior), Temporary Structure and Public Realm. For the first time, sustainability will be a criteria for every entry and applicants must produce a statement and calculation for the carbon footprint of the cladding/materials used.

The 2020 judging panel of industry experts is Co-Chaired by Steve Webb of Webb Yates Engineers and Basha-Franklin’s Creative Director, Nicola Osborn. The remaining judges are Sarah Castle from IF_DO; Joseph Henry of GLA’s Regeneration Team, Architecture Initiative’s Lee Mainwaring, Nic Fallows of BNF Capital; Simona Auteri and Sofia Steffenoni from Matter of Stuff and Kresse Wesling MBE from Elvis + Kresse.

After entries close, the Judges will work in two teams selecting a shortlist and winner for each of the categories. They then join forces to pick the Supreme Winner, the best of the best.

The Awards Presentation ceremony will be on Thursday 11 February 2021 as part of the annual Surface Design Show, the industry’s leading event for architects and designers taking place in London’s Business Design Centre from 9-11 February.

Projects can be submitted by the client, architect or designer, surface supplier or their representatives.

Entries will be accepted through Surface Design Show’s website until Friday 25 September 2020.

About the Surface Design Awards

Located in Islington, at the centre of London’s design district, the Surface Design Awards will recognise the best use of surface materials and take place on Thursday 11 February at Surface Design Show which is the event of choice for architects and designers. Held annually (9-11 February 2020), the exhibition has been the place where the entire industry immerses themselves in the latest materials for the built environment, gain new insights and network with like-minded designers, architects and suppliers.