Grand Designs Live champions innovation at 13th Birmingham show

Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, closed its doors on Sunday on the 13^th edition of the show. Packed with over 400 carefully curated exhibitors spread across six key sections; Build, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Technology, Gardens and Interiors; Hosted by Grand Designs guru Kevin McCloud, the five-day event offered the opportunity to explore and experience the latest trends and products as well as gather inspiration and advice for upcoming or planned developments.

Media 10 ‘s UK Managing Director, Richard Morey said of the show; ‘This year’s show has reinforced Grand Designs Live as the leading home design and build show, with brand new features and show content including insightful talks in the Grand Theatre and our popular ‘Ask the Expert’ feature along with a range of long term and brand-new exhibitors.  We have had an incredibly busy show with many exhibitors claiming this to be the best Grand Designs Live yet at the NEC.’

New products, technologies and innovations could be found across all areas of the exhibition, from new brands on show to inventions set to revolutionise social issues across the UK, including returning favourite feature Kevin’s Green Heroes. The feature showcased the best eco-innovations for homebuilders, owners and design enthusiasts; this year including live demonstrations from three of his picks. Stunning design with a green edge formed the backbone of this handpicked list featuring lighting from Tala, recycled plastic materials from Lucentia Design and a biological, fully edible and recyclable packaging alternative from Scoby by Roza Janusz, to name but a few.

Grand Design’s Kevin McCloud commented; ‘Grand Designs Live has become one of the foremost showcases for green construction and design - a celebration of all things well-made and, of course, a great day out with lots of see, do and think about.

I’m pleased that we’ve been able to develop our collaboration with Friends of the Earth, a key sponsor of Grand Designs Live. We’ve been able to reduce single-use plastics at the show and raise the awareness of plastic waste through our debates and seminars. Thanks to Join the Pipe, a very cool organisation from the Netherlands, we’ve installed free water points for visitors to refill and quench their thirst. And in our packed theatre we’ve tackled energy conservation, air quality, clean drinking water for the planet and how to use our resources better. We’ve produced with our audience a ten-point list for plastic management and recycling and we’ve had an amazing time and some great fun doing it.

We’ve had amazing support from our exhibitors, many of whom are crafts-based companies and SMEs. Grand Designs Live is the coming together of like-minded souls to share their common enthusiasms and loves: exhibitors, visitors, speakers and sponsors alike.’