May’s winner uses recycled materials and plants to create an interior finish that supports the principles of biophilic design in interior spaces.

Bloom earned the title of the winner of the May FRAME Awards (Finishes, 8.48). Slalom crafted the sound-absorbing material finish through a combination of linen, GRS recycled plastic and a blend of natural flowers and grass. The material draws on the traditional concept of pressing dried plants onto paper, bringing the craft onto a larger scale. ‘At first glance, I thought it was terrazzo – what an amazing surprise to learn it is actually pressed flowers and plants,’ Matthew Senkowycz, cofounder at Loom Atelier. ‘The colour accents within these add great interest to a space.’

Slalom's Bloom surface draws on the traditional concept of pressing dried plants onto paper, bringing the craft onto a larger scale.

The thermoformed modular panels are attached with a velcro fastening system, simplifying installation, removal and reuse. A mix of recycled plastic materials and the reutilization of bio-based materials sourced through traditional farming methods, ensure the sustainability of the finished product. ‘Both beautiful, sustainable and still very practical,’ says Angela Lindahl, cofounder at Yatofo Creatives. ‘I’m hopeful to see more material innovations such as this in the future.’ The material resonated with the jury because of its focus on natural materiality, helping designers to expand the reach and meaning of a biophilic design approach. ‘In addition to sustainability, it’s a remarkably inventive way to introduce texture into biophilic design,’ says Alda Ly, founder and principal at ALA Studio.

Sightone Marble Exhibition Pavillion Guangzhou Design Week 2023 made use of inflatable, PVC cubes instead of stone to reduce the temporary space's material consumption.

In Shanghai, a phygital exhibition showcasing Prada's brand history was designed by 2X4 and will travel to different cities.

Grabbing the first honourable mention is the Sightone Marble Exhibition Pavillion Guangzhou Design Week 2023, designed by C&C Design (Trade-Fair Stand, 8.24). To overcome the excessive use of raw materials for the temporary space, the designer used inflatable, PVC cubes instead of stone. Upon the completion of the fair, visitors were invited to take one of the cubes, to be used as an interior object like a side table or pouf. Pradasphere II, a travelling exhibition showcasing the history and culture of Prada from 1913 to the present day, was recognized by the jury as the second honourable mention (Exhibition, 7.97). Designed by 2X4, the exhibition comprises 400 artefacts presenting them to visitors through a mix of physical and digital interactions. A café, open to the public, serves as the cornerstone of the exhibition that is further activated through workshops and other events.

Located in Madrid’s Salamanca district, Ciszak Dalmas & Matteo Ferrari's design of the Aesop store embraces the local culture and the brand's identity.

Gensler dedicated an entire floor for client relations to support communications firm Edelman's specific workplace needs at its newly renovated office in London.

Arta Architects created a flexible seating system that can be easily installed and removed to suit a variety of different functions, leaning into the mixed architectural language at Tai Kwun in Hong Kong.

Three projects tied for the third honourable mention, each earning an overall score of 7.90. Ciszak Dalmas & Matteo Ferrari’s Aesop Store, located in a historic building in Madrid’s Salamanca district, the preservation of the original façade pays homage to the neighbourhood’s legacy, and Spanish craftsmanship is celebrated through locally sourced materials, furniture and art (Single-Brand Store). Meanwhile, Gensler designed the Edelman’s Francis House, situated in a 20th-century era warehouse, with special attention paid to biophilic design principles to promote wellbeing (Large Office). The renovation also saw the addition of a dedicated client floor, to further support the communications firm’s workplace needs. The other tying project, Tai Kwun Chairs, was designed to improve the comfortability and user experience at the Tai Kwun development’s Laundry Steps in Hong Kong, which serve as a popular space for gatherings and public events (Furniture). Arta Architects created a flexible seating system that can be easily installed and removed to suit a variety of different functions, leaning into the mixed architectural language at Tai Kwun.

Fyra’s brief for EY Finland was to chart a space fruitful for team and cross-team collaboration, specifically minding the hospitality experience on offer.

The fourth honourable mention was given to EY Finland, a workplace focused on providing its employees with a hospitality-led experience (Large Office, 7.88). Fyra charted a space fruitful for team and cross-team collaboration, specifically minding the hospitality experience on offer. Amenities in the workplace span from a gym and lunch and breakfast services to a barista-led café and postal services, underlining how hospitality can be an obvious avenue for boosting interaction and collaboration post-pandemic.