The shortlist for this year’s Surface Design Awards has been announced and we are honoured that our Millennial Pink Ombre Clay Plaster, created for the Aesop London store to a design specification by Snohetta, is a finalist.

The bespoke textured and gradient finish is used throughout the store, a stunning example of how one material can be used to magnificent effect when bought to life by ingenious design and clever lighting. It contrasts strikingly with the polished expressions of the clear stainless steel and glass shapes of the centrally located sink.

The 100% natural clay plaster is naturally pigmented throughout using only natural mineral earth pigments and has been referred to variously as Millennial Pink, Terracotta, Conch, Devon Red, Pale Red and Royal Rose: its beauty is that it is all of these depending upon the interplay of natural and artificial light at different times of day which dances beautifully on the textured patina.

According to Surface Design Awards, each entry was judged on the particular use of materials, the type and finish of the surface and the overall look and feel of the aesthetic design, and is … an exemplary example of creative and innovative use of materials and lighting.

Peter Girgis, Senior Interior Architect at Snohetta commented:

The atmosphere is pure and honest, embodying the connection between our earth and its resources and how, if used correctly, can create meaningful and timeless places, no matter the scale.

The shortlist includes some of the most established architects and designers from around the world, including Zaha Hadid Architects, Steven Holl Architects, Studio Egret West and Chris Dyson Architects from the UK, Rockwell Group from the USA, and Kengo Kuma & Associates from Japan.

The Surface Design Awards recognise and celebrate the best use of innovative surface materials in architecture and design internationally. They take place at the annual Surface Design Show (5-7 February), the UK’s only trade event dedicated to interior and exterior surface materials. Visitors from the architecture & design community discover thousands of surface solutions that range from traditional hand-made products to entirely new, smart materials and the best in sustainable surfaces.

Launched five years ago, the Awards have grown to become one of the most respected accolades in the design awards realm.

The 2019 judging panel was co-chaired by Christophe Egret, Founding Partner at Studio Egret West, and Paul Priestman, Chairman at PriestmanGoode. The full panel comprised Cany Ash, Partner at Ash Sakula Architects; James Soane, Director at Project Orange architecture & interior design; Jeremy Offer, Chief Creative Officer at future-focused vehicle designers Arrival; Katie Greenyer, Creative Talent & Network Director at Pentland Group; Paul Edwards, Head of Creative Design at Airbus and Roz Barr, Director of Roz Barr Architects. The popularity of the SDS awards are summed up by James Soane of Project Orange,

Thanks to the sponsors for the 2019 Awards: Business Design Centre, James Latham and FINSA.

Photographs: Courtesy Aesop

Architecture: Snøhetta / Denton Corker Marshall

Plastering: Guy Valentine

Contractors: Spacecraft Workshop