Spec Finish

Feature FIS is excited to partner with the Workspace Design Show, which will take place on 27 and 28 February 2023 at the Business Design Centre in London. At the event, the FIS Conference will take place over two days and will include the FIS Innovation Awards. FIS ATTHE WORKSPACE DESIGN SHOW 24 www.thefis.org T HE theme of the Workspace Design Show, ‘Destination Workplace’ is all about ‘spaces where people want to be,’ and will focus on products that advocate building a culture that attracts, retains and motivates employees, thus, putting the office at the heart of all business operations. This will be supported by a comprehensive Workspace Design Talks programme that will see thought leaders from across the commercial interiors industry discuss key issues and current trends that are shaping the future of workspaces. The fundamental nature of how and where we work is changing radically and the once clear divisions between home, entertainment and work are now blurred. The purpose of the office in today’s world is being contested continuously, but workspace specialists remain firm that the physical office continues to be integral to the function of successful businesses. The office is a space to bring teams together, encouraging collaboration and inspiring creativity, but for this to happen, workspaces need to offer a unique and agile user experience that cannot be achieved while working from home. The Workspace Design Show will be a great chance to check out the newest and most innovative interiors products, and network with your industry peers. What to look out for at the show Workspace Design Talks Listen to the leading lights from A&D and end-users talking about the latest trends, challenges and innovations. Recent disruption has caused a huge change in how we go about designing our workplaces, and this is the place to find out what’s next. The Talks Lounge has been beautifully curated by The Furniture Practice. The Lounge by BDP ‘Change by Design’ is a lounge space concept for the Workspace Design Show, carefully curated by BDP. It is a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and questions the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that showcases the use of recycled, reused and biomaterials in design projects helping to shape a low-carbon future. Entrance by Gensler It feels like there has never been a more exciting and yet equally unknown time in the future of workplace design. We are inspired by this synergy between a new era of workplace and a new outlook on how we can care for our planet, and how we as designers can affect that through pioneering and sustainable design. It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations for people, hence the overarching theme of Rebirth. By Becky Spenceley, Design Director at Gensler. Bio Materials Exhibition Placing biological systems at the heart of BIOHM’s inspiration, they combine ideologies of the circular economy and human-centred design with future-tech to create a step-change in building technologies, materials and manufacturing methods. FIS involvement with the show The Workspace Design Show brings together the entire commercial interiors community to discover and discuss tomorrow’s workspaces. As a show partner, FIS will have a dedicated exhibitor area with a speaker stage, where they will host a series of seminars and panel discussions throughout the two days on topics specifically related to the finishes and interiors sector. The FIS Innovation Awards About the Awards There remains a perception that construction is not an innovative sector, the aim of these awards is to debunk this myth and celebrate innovation in this sector. Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive said: “We looked for innovation that meets a need in the sector and has evidence of adoption or planned use in a commercial environment. By innovation, we mean the successful exploitation of new ideas and bringing creative ideas to life. Our focus is ideas that help support improvements in efficiency, productivity, performance, quality or perception of the finishes and interiors sector”. The awards categories • Product innovation – Fit-out Recognises outstanding innovation in interior systems • Product innovation – Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) Recognises outstanding innovation in products including but not limited to, furniture, desks seating, acoustic absorbers, pods and kiosks, specialist joinery and signage or mechanical and electrical components. • Digital innovation Recognises outstanding innovation in the digital landscape that is contributing to demonstrable improvements in efficiency or quality outcomes related to interior systems. • Sustainable innovation Recognises outstanding innovation that is contributing to demonstrable This event is a must-attend for anyone in the sector and it is free to attend!