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We look forward to seeing The Surface Design Show, in London next month.

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The Surface Design Show returns as industry members get set to discover the latest materials and innovations in interior and exterior surface design.

Targeting architects, interior designers and specifiers, this year's show will feature more than 120 exhibitors, including Acoustic GRG Products, Decolan, Knauf Cosentino, RAK Ceramics, Meyer Timber, Headlam UK, Ardex, Mundy and Finsa UK, making it as one of the biggest events in the design year.

The popular PechaKucha Evening will be taking place, on Wednesday 11 February. It will be hosted by Cany Ash, founder partner of architecture practice Ash Sakula, which will be providing a lively and fun presentation of inspirational slides.

BIM4FitOut, a special interest group to the Government's BIM Task Group that represents the finishes and fit-out sector, will be running a conference on 12 February on how BIM will impact the fit-out sector, while Light Collective runs two days of 'lessons' as part of this year's Light School. Top UK lighting designers, including BDP's Mark Ridler, designer Paul Nulty and Speirs + Major's Iain Ruxton, take on the role of lecturers to provide hands-on demonstrations and presentations.

New highlights to this year's Surface Design Show include 'Materials Speed Dating' - the 2015 version of Future Thinking, an interactive way to explore new materials. Hosted by the Materials Council, the playful concept allows architects and designers to explore the process of materials' scouting and selection via a rapid introduction to materials, surfaces and finishes so that they can find their 'perfect match'.

The third edition of the Surface Design Awards is included in the event. Established in 2013 to recognise examples of progressive design and the use of innovative surfaces in projects both in the UK and internationally, this year's categories include retail; commercial; housing; public building; light and surfaces.

With 181 projects entered, awards organisers say entries have increased by 62 per cent, with a third from overseas. Finalists include Buckley Gray Yeoman, Giles Miller Studio and Zaha Hadid Architects, with the winners to be announced during an awards presentation on Thursday 12 February, at the Business Design Centre, the last day of Surface Design Show.

surfacedesignshow.com