What are you looking forward to most about being part of the judging panel for the Surface Design Awards?''

I am honoured to have been asked to be a member of the judging panel for the Surface Design Awards, I am looking forward to meeting my fellow judges and learning from them through lively and engaging discussions. I am also looking forward to seeing this year's entries and how they will inspire future designers with their innovation, creativity and care.''

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What are you personally looking for in terms of entries?''

I am looking for creative uses of materials that engage with the context they sit in and the content of the building, the exterior is informed and has dialogue with the interior and vice versa. I am looking for sustainability within the external surface concept and strategy, the use of sustainable and natural materials, or the sustainable reuse of materials. Lastly, I'm hoping there's plenty of colour, joy, texture and maybe some whimsy!''

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What advice would you give to those looking to submit a successful award?''

We need to see the project and be like 'Yes of course it makes sense to use this material, there could be no other material more suitable, within the budget and constraints presented'. It needs to make sense of the character, context and content of the building. It needs to visually delight and intellectually stimulate the panel and wider engagers, is there buy-in from the end user? Has your choice of material significantly improved the area or the community?''

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Why are these awards so important to architects and designers?''

We as designers are always referencing and researching projects for inspiration, you never know where you will find inspiration from large scale wider masterplans to the smallest and finest of details. We must recognise the impact the surfaces, externally and internally, have on the users and inhabitants of the spaces we design.''

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What are some emerging trends in materials and surfaces you've noticed?''

In 2024 we continue to strive for sustainability, wellness and technological advancement. We've seen more and more designers consider circular design and economy, reusing materials where possible or considering how buildings will be demounted at the end of their life cycle. In tandem with sustainability, we're considering the 'health' of a building using non-toxic and low-VOC materials, in combination with natural air and water quality considerations. I also think, maybe I'm biased, we are moving or at least branching away from the minimalism of the 00s and 10s, there's been a resurgence of experimenting with colours, patterns and textures to create more visual interest.'

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Sustainability is a talking point in every project, what is your experience of successfully delivering sustainable solutions in what you do?''

In all projects I have been involved in we've strived to engage in the environmental and sustainable strategy at every stage and every meeting. I've worked on detailing retrofit strategies for post-war prefabricated homes in South Wales, and socially and environmentally driven estate regeneration, with improvements to the biodiversity, in Essex. I'm always researching and working with design teams to review material specifications and where we can improve the specifications to make for a more sustainable outcome or solution.''

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The theme of 2025's Surface Design Show is 'Creative Conscious