The Sleep Event 2009 Exhibition

A much-needed boost for the hospitality design industry came towards the end of 2009 as almost 3,000 designers, architects, contractors, investors, developers and consultants turned out for The Sleep Event, representing a 3% rise on last year.

A buoyant feeling amongst attendees for a more stable 2010 with some predicting growth demonstrated the strength of the industry and confirmed this as an integral date in the hotel design calendar.
Held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, for those involved in the creation of hotels, the two-day event comprised a design-led exhibition, top level conference, and prestigious awards ceremony.

This year saw 160 exhibitors showcasing solutions for the hotel design sector with suppliers including Bose Ltd, Christopher Guy, Grohe, Harlequin, Romo, Triflow Concepts, and Ulster Carpets presenting their latest product ranges.

New for 2009 was The Sleepotel design feature giving visitors the opportunity to experience first-hand hotel design concepts from throughout Europe. Entering the Gallery Hall visitors were greeted by Nini Andrade Silva’s seven-metre tall lobby inspired by Superman’s home, the planet of Krypton. Continuing through The Sleepotel there were a variety of roomsets, including an opulently designed bedroom by Shaun Clarkson, a refined suite by Tisettanta, a room of sensual experience by Studio Arcibella, and a spa designed by Spa Vision.
In addition, the central bar designed by Blacksheep provided a social hub for informal meetings and evening drinks whilst the ‘Organic Trace’ concept by JOI Design demonstrated the next step in the evolution of ‘bleisure’. Aimed at hotel guests who mix their work with pleasure, this roomset featured a ‘wellness island’ integrating a bed, desk and soaking tub into one organically shaped unit constructed in LG Hi-Macs®.

Also located in the Gallery Hall was a seminar theatre offering free-to-attend sessions examining future design directions, colour trends, and energy matters as well as an informal chat with some of the UK’s most prominent bar designers such as Steve La Bouchardiere of Design LSM, and Tim Mutton of Blacksheep. Another, hosted by Colin Watson in the presence of Mary Fox Linton, saw the launch of the Interior Design Association (IDA) for which Watson and Fox Linton are Managing Director and Chairperson respectively. Attracting a host of interior designers, the seminar made known the objectives of the IDA in representing interior design practices and independent designers working principally in the international contract market.

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