With the Stone & Surfaces Show on the horizon in May 2026, we begin to turn our attention to what to look out for in the year ahead. Led by the programme of panel discussions, presentations, CPDs, films and photography exhibitions that are set to light up the event at ExCeL London, here are five mega-trends in architecture and design are set to evolve and come into focus in 2026. 

Load-bearing stone in construction

Stone will increasingly be seen as a viable, low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel. 

Over the last couple of years, campaigning initiative The Stone Collective and installations showcasing stone bricks at Clerkenwell Design Week have championed its versatility, beauty and strength. In 2025, The Stone Demonstrator at Earls Court and a research paper from the University of Bath urged architects and developers to recognise stone’s massive potential beyond paving, flooring and cladding. 

The narrative continues to move from inspiration to information in 2026, with the launch of a RIBA-sponsored research platform for indigenous British stone developed by a collaborative team made up of Allies & Morrison, the Stone Federation and Webb Yates. A group exhibition focused on stone and sustainability at London’s landmark 1 Poultry building entitled What lasts doesn’t always hold shape will include talks that aim to break down barriers to specifying stone in construction at scale. Cost consultants are invited to a conversation with stone contractors and architects, and a panel discussion on spolia will be led by the Stone Collective. 

Biophilia 2.0

The benefits of biophilic design are well-established in both domestic and commercial interiors, but it is evolving beyond green walls, snake plants and sunlight. Interior designers are discovering bio-based and geo-sourced materials, and are turning to natural surfaces like wood, bamboo, rattan, jute and wool which improve acoustics as well as well-being. Cork is enjoying a moment in the spotlight since a high-profile, immersive installation at Milan Design Week 2025 showcased it as sustainable material that can be used as tiles, wallcoverings and even furnishings. 

Ethical supply chains

When it comes to sustainability, there are a whole host of frameworks that monitor the component parts and performance of the materials we specify. We’re familiar with EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations), LCAs (Life Cycle Assessments) and CPRs (Construction Products Regulations), but in some jurisdictions there is little to protect the people who made the products and materials we purchase from forced labour and modern slavery. Now there are growing calls to regulate the human face of provenance. 

Circularity closes the loop

Circularity is reframing sustainability from a focus on end-of-life recycling to a broader consideration of longevity, reuse and intelligent material management. For surface materials, this means moving away from short-term trends, designing products and buildings that prioritise durability and repairability, and improving the ease of disassembly and re-finishing. Natural and engineered surfaces alike are increasingly being specified for their ability to be reclaimed, resized, resurfaced or repurposed, reducing reliance on virgin resources.

The Augmented Architect

AI is shifting the role of architects beyond drafting and the drudgery of compliance. It will increasingly automate and fast-track structural logic, costing, constructability and energy performance, allowing them to take on a more experimental and curatorial role. Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry used computers to break geometry and liberate form. AI will empower architects to create an entirely new vernacular that could redefine the built environment.

A Fresh Vision for the Future 

 

“Our 2026 rebrand champions innovation and celebrates stone, surfaces, materials and the technologies shaping the future of construction, design and architecture,” said Sam Patel, Director of The Stone & Surfaces Show. “Our schedule of talks, presentations, installations and exhibitions will offer a platform to discuss opportunities and challenges for the sector, bringing new energy and opportunities to connect.” 

Join us 12-14 May at ExCel London - register for The Stone & Surfaces Show for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-and-stone-show-2026/pr

The Stone & Surfaces Show will also be co-located with UK Construction Week London and visitors will be able to gain access to both events during their visit. 

For more information, visit www.stoneandsurfaces.co.uk or follow @StoneSurfacesShow on social media.