Event runs from May 17-19
Interiors show the May Design Series will be tackling the big issues affecting the whole interiors supply chain from client to end user for 2015.
好色先生TV Design is a lead partner of the conference and its readers were questioned about the issues affecting them, which helped make up the content.
The conference will tackle the issues impacting on the business of interiors including macro economic factors, changing demographics and how clever design and new ways of sharing space could help tackle the housing shortage.
It will feature guest speaker architects Cany Ash of Ash Sakula and Andy von Bradsky of PRP, interior designers Oliver Heath and Dan Hopwood, product designer Sebastian Conran and retail interior expert Abigail Ahern.
The conference runs from 17-19 May at London ExCel.
Visitors will receive complimentary access to all sessions. For more information and to register for free, visit:
Conference Programme
Sunday 17 May
11.30-12.30 - New directions in materials, colour and texture
This session will explore the latest trends in materials, colour and texture. Discover emerging trends, applications, the latest innovations and inspirations from our panel of design, materials and colour experts.
Host: tbc
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director, Dulux
Daniel Hopwood, President of the British Institute of Interior Design and of London design practice, Studio Hopwood
Other speakers tbc
13.00-14.00 - Promoting wellbeing through design
How can spaces bring out the best in people and what design principles can be applied to support happiness, health and wellbeing and what value can this deliver? This session will provide two perspectives on wellbeing and design for domestic, living and leisure interior spaces and the application of these principles.
Host: tbc
Lily Bernheimer, Founding Director, Space Works Consulting
Elina Grigoriou, Design Director, Grigoriou Interiors
14.30-15.30 - Painting space with colour and light
Exploring the relationship between natural and artificial lighting and colour, this session will present two views on how to get colour and light right in different settings and spaces. Learn how colour and light can be successfully combined to work together to create the desired atmospheres.
Host: tbc
Karen Haller, Karen Haller Colour and Design Consultancy
Further speaker tbc
16.00-17.00 - Creating stylish homes with Abigail Ahern
Abigail Ahern will share her unique take on interiors, learn more about her tricks of the trade, insider knowledge, and colour and styling advice for every room. Abigail will demonstrate how to push the boundaries, and create a seductively stylish home overflowing with personality.
Host: tbc
Abigail Ahern
Monday 18 May
11.00-12.00 - Worker wellbeing 鈥 design principles and delivery
Wellbeing is not only influenced by our personal behaviour patterns but by the design of buildings and spaces in which we live, work and play. Worker wellbeing can enhance performance, engagement and innovation. This session will explore advances in technology improving our knowledge of wellbeing in the workplace, the latest emerging principles and the business case for wellbeing.
Host: tbc
Richard Francis, Principal, The Monomy Company
Dr Bridget Juniper, Founder and Director, Work & Well-being
Ed Garrod, Principal, Head of Sustainability and Integrated Design, Elementa Consulting
Further speaker tbc
12.30-13.30 - Session tbc
14.00-15.00 - Sophisticated, stylish and sustainable - getting the balance right
This session will explore whether sustainable design can be both sophisticated and stylish. The impact of interior design and architecture is inherently wasteful, how can designers adapt the way they work to embrace sustainable practices and understand the value of such an approach? Can sustainable designs improve interior spaces and if so how? And how can style and sustainability go hand in hand?
Host: tbc
Sian Moxon, Senior Lecturer, London Metropolitan University and author
Karan Grover, Karan Grover and Associates
Other speaker tbc
15.30-16.30 - Can compact living solve the housing crisis?
Will compact housing and smaller living spaces continue to be a growing trend? To what extent could compact housing be the solution to long term housing affordability? What are the drivers of demand and what do people want from smaller living spaces? Can cleverly designed spaces make compact living more desirable and attractive? And is compact living a positive trend?
Host: tbc
Russ Edwards, Design Director, Pocket Living
Other speakers tbc
17.00-18.00 - Diversifying the high street
This session will explore the latest trends and ever changing nature of UK鈥檚 high street, looking at the demand for social, leisure and hospitality experiences and the emergence of the digital high street. What is the impact of policy, property and technology? How can successful high streets be delivered which meet the changing social, economic and technological trends? What techniques can be employed to create high streets of the future which increase footfall, create a 鈥渄estination鈥, improve dwell times and shopper experiences?
Host: tbc
Russ Edwards, Design Director, Pocket Living
Speakers tbc
Tuesday 19 May
11.00-12.00 - Creating places for people 鈥 unlocking the housing log jam
The government wants to see a bigger and better private rented sector, will the emerging build to let investor backed property development tap into demand from young professionals for better rented accommodation? By creating better quality housing for young people can we end the obsession with owner occupied housing, and what do these tenants want? At the other end of the scale the number of over 60s will increase by 7 million in the next 20 years and the number of over 75s will rise by 40% in urban areas and 90% in rural areas by 2019. The ageing population requires suitable homes and housing which accommodate changing physical, cognitive, visual and aural needs. Is communal/co-housing the solution? How do we design and create places that people want to live in and which address the changing demographics of the UK.
Host: Declan Curry, Television Broadcaster
Nick Whitten, Associate Director - UK Research, JLL
Andy von Bradsky, Chairman, PRP Architects
Cany Ash, Founding Partner, Ash Sakula
12.30-13.30 - Session tbc
14.00-15.00 - The science and style of biophilic design; using nature to create healthier spaces
By strengthening human connections with nature, enormous benefits can be realised in many of the building typologies that we live and work in. Research demonstrates that spaces with biophilic elements creates offices that are more productive with reduced stress and absenteeism; hospitals where patients feel less pain and recover faster after operations, and schools where children can learn faster with improved exam results. Designer Oliver Heath will discuss the ideas and research behind biophilic design that demonstrate its benefits and explain how biophilic principles can be incorporated into design.
Host: Declan Curry, Television Broadcaster
Oliver Heath, Heath Design
15.30-16.30 - Session tbc
Host: Declan Curry, Television Broadcaster
Speakers tbc
Seminar Programme
Theatre 1
Sunday 17 May
11.30-12.30 - A circular approach to furniture
This seminar will explore the challenges and opportunities when implementing a company wide sustainability strategy and how to understand and start to apply a 鈥淐radle to Cradle鈥 philosophy. The session will examine the drivers for a circular economy drawing on case studies of those leading the way.
Chair: James Bell, Environmental Consultant, Furniture Industry Research Association
How the concept of the circular economy is being applied in the furniture industry
James Bell, Environmental Consultant, Furniture Industry Research Association
The implications of a cradle to cradle philosophy 鈥揳 manufactures approach
Oliver Baxter, Herman Miller
13.00-14.00 - Creating successful small spaces
When designing for small spaces it鈥檚 about what you do with the space you have rather than how much space there is. Designing tiny spaces and especially those with specific functions such as kitchens and bathrooms can be a challenge. This session will explore concepts and design, how to keep things small and functional, clever space-saving design solutions, and how to maintain style without frivolity.
Chair: Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director, Dulux
Designing small spaces
Naomi Day, architectural and interior designer specialising in small spaces
Colour and space
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director, Dulux
14.30-15.30 - Creating inspirational retail spaces
Since opening her first store 12 years ago, Abigail Ahern has grown her business into a global, multi-faceted retail empire, and one of the most instantly recognisable brands in interiors. This session will provide candid, inspiring and realistic advice on everything from setting up shop, to finding your niche in the market and determining your brand personality, Abigail will explore how to think beyond being a retailer and becoming a brand.
Abigail Ahern
16.00-17.00 - Three approaches to successful hotel interiors
This session will explore three contrasting approaches to hotel interiors, exploring how to create personality, functionality and style.
Speakers tbc
Monday 18 May
11.00-12.00 - Living plants for dynamic interiors
The challenge is to make psychologically rewarding interiors for people and, in the case of working environments this can translate into measurable increases in employee satisfaction and productivity. Plants have been shown to have a major role to play here. This seminar explores ideas of why and how to use plants to best advantage.
Kenneth Freeman, Head of Innovation, Ambius
Designing with plants to improve working environments
Kenneth Freeman, Head of Innovation, Ambius
Why interior green walls? Theory and practice
Mark Laurence, Director, Vertology
The sky is the limit
Patrick Morris, Creative Director, Boskke
12.30-13.30 - Creating successful workspaces
How can designers create successful workspaces that increase productivity and creativity of employers? What do workers actually want from design? What can be learnt from those leading the way in office design and how can this be reproduced on smaller scales and budgets? How can co-working office space promote creative thinking and entrepreneurialism?
Chair: Sam Sahni, Senior Associate, Morgan Lovell
The importance of in-between spaces when designing workplaces
Sam Sahni, Senior Associate, Morgan Lovell
Delivering an agile working environment
Ian Cowell, Head of Design, Tetris
Creating successful spaces and working communities with co-working office space
Dean Connell, Senior Interior Design Consultant, International Markets, We Work
14.00-15.00 - Lighting design 鈥 promoting health and wellbeing
How we light our buildings both naturally and artificially can have significant effect on occupier wellbeing and quality of life. What is the effect of the quantity and colour of internal light and how can these influence people in terms of performance and wellbeing.
Chair: Dr Paul Littlefair, Principal Lighting Consultant, BRE
Lighting and health 鈥 what the research tells us
Dr Paul Littlefair, Principal Lighting Consultant, BRE
Embracing biological needs in lighting design
Speaker from ARUP 鈥 name tbc
15.30-16.30 - Technology trends in retail
This seminar will explore the latest in store technology for retail. How can technology improve customer experience and sales in store? What are the latest cutting edge technologies and how can these be incorporated into retail interiors.
Chair: Andrew Bolitho, Policy Adviser, British Retail Consortium
What is driving technological advancement in retail spaces
Andrew Bolitho, Policy Adviser, British Retail Consortium
Innovation and in store design for luxury goods
Johnathan Chippindale, Chief Executive, Holition
Other speaker tbc
17.00-18.00 - Successfully designing with reused and recycled materials
This session will demonstrate how materials can be re-conditioned and intelligently re-used in interiors.
Speakers tbc
Tuesday 19 May
11.00-12.00 Corporate identity in interiors 鈥 how to
Branding allows a company to establish a significant and differentiate presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers. How can we create a link between what a company does and its interiors, creating spaces which match commercial and cultural ambitions. This session will explore the importance of branding, how a brand is communicated and how this vision is interpreted and translated to interiors to create a branded property and will explore what your building says about your business.
Chair: TBC
Translating commercial and cultural ambitions into interiors
Lee Penson, Founder, Penson
Further speakers tbc
12.30-13.30 - SKA sustainable fit out guide 鈥 combining sustainability and design
SKA Rating is an environmental assessment tool for sustainable fit-outs. This session will help project teams understand the SKA fit out tool and gain an understanding of what good practice looks like and how to implement it, demonstrating that sustainability and good design can go hand in hand.
Elina Grigoriou, Design Director, Grigoriou Interiors
14.00-15.00 - Delivering on design intent - defining, designing and delivering
The interior of a commercial building provides the main experience for the users and this is where any deficiencies in design and delivery can be exposed. Too often there appears to be a lack of joined up thinking with delivery teams working in isolation from each other. This session identifies the problems and pitfalls between defining the client鈥檚 vision and final delivery and use. How can these issues be overcome and does BIM have a role to play here?
David Matthews, Partner, Hoare Lea
Further speakers tbc
15.30-16.30 - Design and delivery strategies for pop up retail spaces
Pop-up shops and pop-up retail are temporary retail spaces that sell products of any kind. Pop-ups are exciting, short-term retail spaces that are creative and engaging. They come in all shapes and sizes and deliver contact with customers, the ability to build brand awareness and allow new markets to be tested without long term financial commitment. This session will explore best practice in pop up strategy and design.
Chair: TBC
Delivering successful pop up spaces - design strategies told through case studies
Melissa Woolford, Founder, Nous Collaborative
Further speakers tbc
Theatre 2
Sunday 17 May
11.30-12.30 - Residential lighting - designing without downlighting and the 鈥淩ules of Three鈥
John Bullock, John Bullock Lighting Design
13.00-14.00 - Design strategies to successfully connect house and garden
Achieving a sympathetic transition can enhance the meaning and experience of both places. This session explores ways of making meaningful inside-outside connections.
Chair: TBC
Place sensitive garden design
Helen Elks-Smith, Director, Elks-Smith Landscape and Garden Design
Further speakers tbc
14.30-15.30 - Next generation furniture and fittings
This session will explore the latest in furniture, technology and fittings.
16.00-17.00 - Creating functional family friendly interiors with style
Creating a comfortable, attractive and stylish home which supports and withstands changing family life can be a challenge. This session dedicated to creating family friendly interiors will explore the latest trends in colour, pattern and texture; how to create zones for all the family which serve multiple functions and how to make the most of shared spaces. In this session discover innovative design ideas and solutions.
Chair: Speaker from Houzz
Family interiors - latest trends and design solutions
Speaker from Houzz
Further speakers tbc
Monday 18 May
11.00-12.00 - Delivering a retail lighting concept which drives sales
Today鈥檚 lighting designer not only needs to be a consumer psychologist, directing the moods and emotions of customers to drive behaviour but a marketing magician, employing the latest technology to drive sales. Join Paul Nulty in this session exploring the latest in retail lighting design.
Paul Nulty, Paul Nulty Lighting Design
12.30-13.30 - Designing residential spaces for an aging population
Decent housing makes a fundamental difference to mental and physical health and well-being and has a critical contribution to make to the value and effectiveness of the health and care systems. Older households will represent 50% of all households by 2026. Older people spend between 70-90% of their time in their homes, much more than any other age group. How do we respond to the challenge through adapting existing and building new homes where the elderly can thrive?
14.00-15.00 - Session tbc
15.30-16.30 - Welcoming workplace 鈥 designing office space for four generations
Office space has typically been modelled on 20-45 year olds. As populations age and as work evolves a different type of workforce is set to emerge 鈥 comprising more older people. How should the office environment flex and change to address extended working lives? What are the physical requirements of the workplace and how can the office support different styles of working. This session will explore vision, hearing, physical ergonomics, cognition and health and wellbeing and the need for different spaces for collaboration, concentration and contemplation and how four generations at work can be accommodated and what constitutes 鈥渁 great place to work鈥 for each generation.
Chair: TBC
Four generations at work 鈥 how to create fully inclusive office spaces
Oliver Baxter, Programme Manager Insight Group, Herman Miller
Further speakers TBC
17.00-18.00 - Workplace wellbeing design
This session will explore how to optimize health and wellbeing in the workplace. How can design influence our productivity and health? What is the economic logic behind wellbeing and what are the design principles which support wellbeing in the workplace?
Chair: Dr Craig Knight, University of Exeter
Optimising wellbeing in the workplace - what are the design principles?
Dr Craig Knight, University of Exeter
Further speakers TBC
Tuesday 19 May
11.00-12.00 - What omni-channel means for retail spaces
This session will explore how the rise of 鈥渙mni-channel鈥 is changing the way we shop and how this influences the design of retail space. Omni-channel retailing delivers a seamless approach to selling through all channels including physical stores, the internet, mobile phones and other forms of media. Retailers must successfully integrate processes, information systems and infrastructure to meet customer demand. The changing face of shopping is developing retail and logistics properties, what does this mean for the design of physical retail spaces and how can online and in-store experiences be aligned?
Speakers TBC
12.30-13.30 - BIM for fit out
Chair: David Frise, BIM4FitOut
BIM鈥檚 place in fit out
David Frise, BIM4FitOut
Cloud point surveys - a guide to creating quick models for interiors
Speaker tbc
The contractors view
Speaker tbc
14.00-15.00 - Adding luxury to hotels with lighting
Sally Storey, Design Director of Lighting Design International, will show how lighting can add the luxury to hotel interiors. Using lighting designs from recent projects from Ham Yard Hotel to Fera at Claridges, The Savoy to the Corinthia, Sally will show how lighting can make the simplest of interiors look glamorous.
Sally Storey, Design Director, Lighting Design International
15.30-16.30 - Stylish residential lighting 鈥 two case studies
Case study: residential lighting design at Battersea Park Power Station residential apartments phase 2
Farhad Rahim, Associate Lighting Designer, Chapman BDSP
Further speaker tbc
Visitors will receive complimentary access to all sessions. For more information and to register for free, visit:
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