Sleep, Europe’s leading hotel design event, is the annual hotspot for en vogue innovations in hospitality style. Over 3,000 people attended this trendsetting expo last year; a number of twists for 2013 promise even more “oohs and aahs” than ever before.
Sleep revolutionises itself every year by attracting new exhibitors alongside returning favourites. In 2013, nearly one-third of the 130 suppliers will showcase their products and services for the first time at Sleep, including several from Hong Kong and America and as well as throughout Europe. Stirring things up is the launch of the Newcomers Gallery which will highlight these “debutantes”: Assemblyroom which crafts bespoke furniture inspired by a 1950s aesthetic; Decode, a London-based design and manufacturing company that creates progressive and contemporary furniture and lighting which challenge convention and deliver fresh perspectives on traditional materials; Punkt, which offers stream-lined consumer electronics; Prooff, an ultra-modern Dutch furniture maker; Shanko Rugs, a Reykjavik-based in studio where textile artist Sigrun Lara Shanko creates exceptional art rugs inspired by Icelandic nature and culture; and Sonoro Audio, which makes sleek, state-of-the-art bedside audio systems.
The Sleep Hotel competition entices designers to dream-up and, in partnership with fit-out experts, construct a hotel room that could function as an actual property. Kelly Hoppen Interiors/Crosswater, The Hickson Design Partnership, BDP/Sharkey Group, Purpose Design, and Squared Interiors/Dea Contract are the 2013 contenders challenged to create a “newly renovated” suite within a hotel originally constructed during the 1960s’ Pop Art era. The concept has been inspired by Pop Art Design, a major exhibition taking place at London’s Barbican Centre between 22nd October 2013 - 9th February 2014, and which explores the exchange of ideas between design and art during the Pop era. Each space will be judged by a panel of foremost industry experts: Catherine Ince, Barbican’s curator of Pop Art Design; Anthony Ingham, VP Luxury & Design Brands EMEA at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., and Conrad Smith, Managing Director of ReardonSmith Architects.
At a Glance:
- The European Hotel Design Awards dinner (with which Sleep is closely affiliated) - Tuesday 19th November, Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London. Book 'your' place: here
- Sleep exhibition, conferences and Sleep Hotel - Wednesday 20 (10 am to 8 pm) & Thursday 21 November (10 am to 6 pm) Business Design Centre Islington, London. Pre register for complimentary tickets: here
- Sleep Hotel winner announcement - Wednesday 20 November (7 pm) Business Design Centre
