Interface discussed its life-centred approach to design and unveiled a new biophilic carpet tile collection at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week.

Now in its 50th year, commercial flooring manufacturer and global leader in sustainability Interface provided Clerkenwell Design Week visitors with an exclusive preview of its new biophilic carpet tile collection, Upon Common Ground. The company also brought together forward-thinking design experts to explore a burgeoning approach to design that places the needs, values and experiences of all life forms at its core.

Through a series of breakfast seminars and evening events at its Pennybank showroom, the company invited leading industry experts to start the conversation on this interconnected approach and discuss how we can plan, design and inhabit buildings so that all life can thrive. Events explored how people’s values are changing regarding sustainability and what this really means for architects and designers.

To kick off the week on Tuesday 23 May, biophilic design strategist Victoria Jackson sat down with Interface’s concept and product designers to answer the question, ‘Why is nature still at the forefront of interior design?’ The interactive session delved into the current trends in colour and texture, the impact on wellbeing, and why nature continues to inform architecture, commercial interiors and product design.

An evening seminar on Tuesday got to the heart of the evolution from human-centred design to life-centred design. Moderated by expert in biophilic design Oliver Heath, the discussion saw award-winning architect David Kirkland, Earth-centred strategist Kara de los Reyes, director of Building with Nature Dr Gemma Jerome and urban development planner and social anthropologist Dr Shira de Bourbon Parme debate how designers can shift their perspective to create environments that benefit all life, not just the end user of the space.

Onto day two of the festival and Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) joined Interface’s regional sustainability manager Becky Gordon to discuss a practical approach to creating regenerative spaces. They shared advice on how designers could get a deeper understanding of the materials they specify and their full-life environmental impact, and therefore move from simply ‘doing less bad’ to ‘doing more good’.

The event covered practical suggestions on the questions to ask of suppliers, the metrics to understand and consider, and how to integrate positive action within their work, as well as how inclusive design teams, connection to nature, health and wellbeing, and improving social justice all play a key role in creating truly regenerative spaces.

Zubair Ahmad, Head of Sales for UK and Ireland at Interface, said “Clerkenwell Design Week is always such a highlight in our calendar and this year was no different. It was great to meet so many curious architects and designers who wanted to learn about how taking a holistic design approach could help them to meet their clients’ sustainability, wellbeing and design ambitions, as well as pushing businesses to take designs further to be regenerative and beneficial for both people and the planet.”

Attendees at Clerkenwell Design Week also had the opportunity to attend drop-in design workshops and preview Upon Common Ground, which was installed throughout the Pennybank showroom. The collection, which features five unique nature-inspired designs, is set to launch in July 2023.

Contact Details
For more information, please visit the Interface website.