The Material Matters design fair was founded in September 2022 bt Grant Gibson and William Knight, and launched as an official fixture of the London Design Festival.
The first edition took place at Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf. This raw, industrial, four-story former factory on London’s South Bank provided the perfect atmospheric backdrop. Its gritty, unrefined architecture contrasted beautifully with the cutting-edge design on display.
Event Details
- Event: Material Matters London
- Dates: 15-17 September 2026
- Exhibitors: over 50 brands
- Visitors: over 6,000
Discover Shoreditch Design Week 2026
Material Matters 2023
2022–2025: The Bargehouse Era and Curation Focus
Over its first few years, the fair rapidly grew from a bold experiment into one of the most anticipated and heavily attended events of the festival. Its success was anchored by a distinct editorial approach to curation, focusing on three core pillars:
- Material Innovation: Showcasing experimental biomaterials (such as mycelium, algae, and agricultural waste composites) alongside advanced manufacturing and 3D printing techniques.
- The Circular Economy: Providing a platform for brands and designers dedicated to waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable lifecycle design.
- The Talks Programme: A live extension of the podcast, bringing together leading global voices in architecture and design to debate the future of resources.
Material Matters 2023
The New Eastern Chapter: Moving to Shoreditch
For its upcoming edition, the event is relocating eastward from its prior central London locations to Shoreditch, a district with deep historical roots in the city’s creative sectors. By integrating into Shoreditch Design Week, Material Matters will sit within a larger network of exhibitions, presentations, and installations hosted throughout the neighborhood during the festival.
The Venue: UNLOCKED Shoreditch
The exhibition will be staged at UNLOCKED Shoreditch, a multi-story cultural hub located on Curtain Road. This converted warehouse provides approximately 24,000 sq ft of adaptable space, perfectly tailored for hosting exhibitions, pop-up showcases, and major creative gatherings.
Material Matters at Unlocked
Core Elements Remain Intact
Despite the change of scenery, the core components of the event stand unchanged. Material Matters London continues to assemble a handpicked blend of international brands, up-and-coming designers, and material innovators. Past editions have put the spotlight on everything from biomaterials and recycled composites to cutting-edge manufacturing methods, complemented by a lecture series featuring prominent figures from the fields of architecture and design.
Shoreditch’s Creative Heritage
Relocating the fair to Shoreditch also mirrors the district’s modern-day prominence within London’s design landscape. Historically celebrated as a hub for furniture manufacturing, the area now serves as a home for galleries, creative studios, and design gatherings that spotlight the city’s continuously changing creative culture.
Event Details
- Event: Material Matters London
- Dates: 15-17 September 2026
- Exhibitors: over 50 brands
- Visitors: over 6,000
