Surface Design Awards 2027

Surface Design Awards has been an extension of the Surface Design brand for 15 years. The Awards celebrates excellence in the innovation and use of surfaces across the built environment, the judges and team were delighted by the exceptional level of quality entries in 2026, and we cannot wait to open the awards for 2027. 

Surface Design Awards 2027 will be an evening event, on Wednesday 3 February 2027 at 6:00pm. If you have registered to attend Surface Design Show, your ticket will grant you access to the Awards. (Priority access will be given to the Awards Sponsors, Judges and Shortlist).  

We will be announcing our Judges for SDA27 soon and Entries will open September 1st 2026.

Explore Categories

Project

 

Best Architecture Project

Best Interior Design Project

Best Adaptive Reuse & Restoration Project

Best Colour Innovation

Best Use of Natural Materials

 

All Project Categories will be judged on the following Criteria: Sustainability, Lighting, Biophilia, Accessibility, Material selection, Narrative, Functionality, User Experience, Innovation, Craftsmanship, Context, Accessibility & Inclusivity & Cultural or Social Impact. We are looking for projects where full consideration has being given to everything that makes the building. 

Product 

 

 

Best Product

Best Surface Material

 

 

 

All Product Categories will be judged on the following Criteria: Innovation, Purpose & Performance, Material Excellence, Design Quality, Specification Value, Craftsmanship & Manufacturing, Ease of Installation & Use, Sustainability, Technical Performance, Versatility, User Experience, Longevity.

Best Architecture Project

 

Recognising an outstanding new-build architectural project in which the overall design of the building demonstrates a clear and coherent response to its context, purpose and users. Judges will consider the building as a complete architectural work, including its form, structure, external expression, spatial organisation and material palette. 

Open to new buildings of any type or scale. Entries should focus on the architecture of the building as a whole, rather than primarily on its interior design, restoration or use of a particular material. 
 

Best Interior Design Project 

 

Recognising an outstanding interior project that transforms the experience, function and character of an internal space. Judges will look for a considered approach to layout, circulation, surfaces, colour, texture, lighting, furniture and material selection, with a strong focus on how the space is used and experienced. 

Open to interiors of any type or scale, within either new or existing buildings. Entries should focus on the design of the interior environment, rather than the architecture of the building as a whole. 

 

Best Adaptive Reuse & Restoration Project

 

Recognising the sensitive and imaginative transformation of an existing building, structure or interior. The award celebrates projects that retain, restore or reinterpret existing fabric while successfully adapting the space for continued or new use. 

Judges will consider the relationship between old and new, the preservation of architectural or cultural value, the responsible reuse of materials and the quality of the completed intervention. The defining feature of the entry must be its work with an existing building or space. 

 

Best Colour Innovation

 

Recognising a project, product or installation in which colour is the primary driver of the design concept or outcome. Judges will look for an original, purposeful and expertly resolved use of colour through surfaces, materials, finishes, pattern, light or spatial composition. 

Entries should demonstrate how colour goes beyond decoration to influence identity, atmosphere, perception, wayfinding, wellbeing or user experience. 

 

Best Use of Natural Materials 

 

Recognising a project in which natural materials make a defining contribution to the design, performance and character of a building, interior or installation. Judges will consider the quality and appropriateness of the material selection, detailing and craftsmanship, as well as provenance, durability and environmental responsibility where relevant. 

Eligible materials may include timber, stone, clay, cork, wool, leather and other naturally derived materials. The natural material must be fundamental to the project, rather than used as a secondary decorative feature.

 

Best Product 

 

Recognising an outstanding product, material or finish that makes a significant contribution to the overall design of a space or building. Whether showcased as a standalone product or within a completed project, entries should demonstrate excellence in design, performance, innovation and specification.

 

Best Surface Material

 

Recognising a material, material technology or innovative application of an existing surface material. This could include bio-based materials, composites, advanced coatings, digital fabrication, recycled materials or material science innovation. 

 

Emerging Talent

 

Championing rising designers or studios whose work with surfaces shows exceptional promise and originality. This award is INVITE ONLY and FREE OF CHARGE. Student projects and universities will be invited to enter their projects. There will be a shortlist, as well as public voting for this award, an amazing opportunity to get your projects in front of A&D professionals.

 

Other Recognitions:

Supreme Award

This award is not available to enter and the winner will be selected from the category winners by the judges. There will be no shortlist for this award. 

Sponsored by

bdc logo

New Talent

This award is INVITE ONLY and FREE OF CHARGE. Awarded to one of our New Talent Exhibitors.

Sponsored by

TRENDEASE intl logo

Please send any enquiries to thea.sainsbury@montgomerygroup.com

Interested in Sponsoring one of this years Categories? take a look at our Sponsorship Opportunities.