Circular manufacturing, modular furniture and wellbeing-focused interiors are expected to shape the conversation at Clerkenwell Design Week 2026, as brands across the design and specification sectors prepare to unveil their latest launches and installations.

Circular materials and low-impact production

One of the most talked-about projects this year is expected to be Brew House by Studio Egret West, created using innovative Brew Bricks manufactured with recycled coffee grounds collected from London cafés. Produced in collaboration with Simple Works and York Handmade, the bricks demonstrate how waste materials can be successfully integrated back into the construction process.

Sustainable material innovation continues elsewhere, with Parkside showcasing terrazzo surfaces produced using recycled quarry waste, while Moventi focuses on durable furniture solutions designed with longevity in mind. Bathroom specialist Laufen will also unveil its new VOLTA basin by designer Yves Béhar, manufactured using SaphirKeramik and produced in a solar-powered kiln process aimed at reducing environmental impact.

Heritage influences and craftsmanship return

Traditional craftsmanship remains a strong design influence throughout the festival. Czech artist David Černý brings his Butterfly Effect installation to London, combining historical storytelling with advanced 3D-printing technology from Prusa Research.

Lighting and furniture brands are also revisiting classic influences, with companies including Minale, Tinker & Tallulah and Fritz Fryer introducing collections inspired by heritage craftsmanship and vintage styling.
Workplace wellbeing and adaptable interiors.

Wellbeing, acoustics and neuroinclusive design are continuing to influence workplace interiors. SPACEMANN will launch its acoustic-certified Odyssey pod system, while 2020 Furniture Design presents SOMA, created to support neurodiverse users in open-plan environments.

Meanwhile, modular and reconfigurable furniture remains a major trend, with brands including .mdd, Hawk Furniture and Workbench showcasing adaptable solutions for changing commercial spaces.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 takes place across Clerkenwell, London, from 19–21 May 2026.

Houzz has published its first-ever UK State of AI in Construction and Design Report 2025, revealing increasing adoption of artificial intelligence across the industry, alongside strong optimism about its future impact.

The report, based on a survey of more than 145 UK construction and design professionals, highlights how businesses are beginning to integrate AI into everyday workflows to improve efficiency, save time and streamline operations.

According to the research, almost half of respondents (46%) are already using AI within their businesses. Those adopting the technology report saving an average of more than three hours every week, equating to an estimated annual productivity benefit of over £23,000 per company.

Industry awareness of AI is also continuing to grow. More than seven in 10 professionals surveyed (72%) said they are familiar with AI technology, while the same percentage are aware of AI tools created specifically for construction and design applications.

The findings suggest confidence in the technology is strengthening, with 60% of respondents believing AI will significantly reshape the sector over the next five years.

Alon Cohen commented: “AI innovation in construction and design is accelerating, creating a competitive advantage for pros who adopt it. As the report shows, pros in our industry are approaching this era with openness and a strong desire to learn.”

He added that AI is increasingly becoming an essential business tool for professionals looking to improve productivity and strengthen client relationships.

The report found administrative tasks are currently the most common use for AI tools, with 79% of professionals using the technology for activities such as note-taking, document editing and formatting.

Other key areas where AI is being used include:

• Sales and marketing activities, including social media content and lead management
• Planning and design tools for project visualisation and floor plans
• Project management functions such as estimating, invoicing and task tracking
• Business reporting and operational processes including expense tracking and financial management

While adoption is rising, the research also identified several ongoing concerns among professionals, including the accuracy of AI-generated content, data privacy and a lack of training.

Despite these challenges, nearly two-thirds of professionals currently using AI (61%) said they are satisfied with the technology, while 60% believe it is already having a meaningful impact on their day-to-day workflow.

Andrea Yorston Interior Design highlighted the importance of intuitive solutions integrated into existing systems: “We know AI could save us time, but most tools require a level of training and experimentation that just isn’t realistic when you’re running projects day to day. What makes the biggest difference is when those capabilities are built into the tools we already use, so you can start benefiting from them straight away.”

Houzz Pro continues to expand its AI-powered capabilities across project management and design software, helping construction and design professionals integrate emerging technology into daily operations more seamlessly.

The full report is available from Houzz UK

The Villeroy & Boch Group has reported a satisfactory performance for the first quarter of 2026 despite ongoing geopolitical and economic pressures impacting global markets.

Group revenue for the period totalled €318.7 million, down 13.7% from €369.1 million in the same quarter last year. The company said performance was affected by the disposal of the northern European business operations of the Gustavsberg and Vatette brands, alongside adverse currency effects. Adjusted for these factors, revenue declined by 8.3

Despite softer sales, the Group reported a positive increase in its order book, which rose by €47.3 million to €197.7 million as of 31 March 2026. Operating EBIT reached €17.2 million for the quarter.

Dr Markus Warncke, chief financial officer of Villeroy & Boch AG, said: “The first quarter of 2026 was marked by a complex interplay of divestments and geopolitical tensions that affected our results. Despite these challenges, we were able to achieve positive developments in certain areas, such as the order book across both divisions and the e-commerce business in Dining & Lifestyle. This underscores the resilience of our business model and our strategic direction,” said

Bathroom & Wellness division affected by geopolitical pressures

The Bathroom & Wellness division achieved revenue of €248.0 million in Q1 2026, a year-on-year decline of 16.1% Adjusted for the divested Gustavsberg entities, revenue was down 9.9%.

Regionally, revenue fell by 15.6% across EMEA and by 23.2% in APAC/Americas, with the business citing divestments, economic weakness, the conflict in the Middle East and the slowdown in the Chinese construction sector as key factors. Operating EBIT for the division stood at €12.9 million.

Dining & Lifestyle division delivers stable result 

The Dining & Lifestyle division delivered stable revenue of €70.0 million during the quarter. The company highlighted strong performances in e-commerce and its own retail stores, supported by Easter trading activity.

In Germany, revenue increased by 7.5%, driven primarily by e-commerce growth. Operating EBIT for the division rose slightly to €4.3 million.

Full-Year 2026 Outlook 

Despite continued geopolitical and economic uncertainty, Villeroy & Boch has confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance. The company expects consolidated revenue to remain in the mid- to high-single-digit percentage range below the prior year.

However, the Executive Board now anticipates operating EBIT to be towards the lower end of its previously forecast range of €75 million to €85 million.