We take a snapshot view of what 100% Design will offer visitors interested in kitchens and bathrooms

At the heart of London Design Week, is the UK’s largest trade show for designers and architects 100% Design which takes place for the second time at Olympia in London from September 23-23. Now in its 22nd year, it aims to attract more than 26,000 visitors, with a spending power surpassing £3.4bn, through its doors. And here they will be able to view exhibitors across five, dedicated show sections: Interiors, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Design & Build, Workplace and Emerging brands.

Established and new brands

For designers and specifiers looking for the latest in kitchen and bathroom design, the dedicated show sections will see a combination of established and new exhibitors. Abacus Direct returns to the show, with its Lustrolite acrylic panels for use as backsplashes and wall panels for either room, along Kung Sauna, while Kaldewei makes a comeback and Aqualisa makes a debut appearance. These will be joined by Porcelanosa and JIS Europe. For those interested in kitchens, Rational and stainless steel brassware manufacturer CEA will participating at the event, along with a raft of stone specialists who will present wall, surfaces and decorative features by the likes of Love Tiles & Margres, PeitraElite Italian Stone and Marmi Strada.

Experience design theme

And all of the suppliers will be exhibiting under the curated theme of Experience Design. It will not only be the visual identity of the show, but will form the basis of its installations and a programme of talks. The Experience design theme will consider how design guides, frames and improves the ways we live, work and consume, and will be expressed through commissioned installations.

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Alongside the wide array of exhibitors, visitors will be able to attend seminars through Talks with 100% Design. This year, the seminar programme will be curated by the Design Museum, as part of its ‘on loan’ campaign, bringing it out into the community. It will explore wide-ranging aspects of experiential design, such as looking at the ways companies are using design to improve the workplace and how brands use design to shape perceptions. Focusing on quality and depth, the talks will feature agenda-setting discussions exploring trends in contemporary practice and the future of design. Previous speakers have included such luminaries as Yves Béhar, Ilse Crawford, Philippe Starck, Barber Osgerby, Lyndon Neri, Jaime Hayon, Patricia Urquiola and Richard Rogers.

Additions for 2016

However, new for this year is Design London, a new showcase within the Interiors section, which will spotlight the best in design manufacturing. It will consists of an edited group of less than 15 brands, presented within a specially-designed stand area, with each company chosen to complement one another. It joins the Darkroom, part of 100% Design & Build to showcase the latest in LED luminaries and energy efficient lighting and innovative lighting solutions. Finally, completing the 100% Design show line-up will be LuxuryMade, the inaugural outing for manufacturers showcasing contemporary decorative and luxury furnishings, furniture, fabrics, lighting and accessories, LuxuryMade takes place within a setting, some of which has been hidden from public view for over 20 years: Olympia’s Pillar Halls. And completing the line-up of activities will be a cinema area to showcase products, designers and studios as well as providing engagement with current and historical design agendas.