Designing the Social Business Space

Design Command Logo

Step into the Social Business Space at the Independent Hotel Show London 2026, designed by Design Command. Conceived as a welcoming environment for conversation, collaboration, and connection, the space invites visitors to explore how hospitality interiors can respond to today’s trends while anticipating tomorrow's evolving needs.

Blending thoughtful design with flexibility and function, the concept considers how social business spaces can support different ways of meeting, working and connecting. Every element has been carefully considered to create an environment that feels inviting and relevant, while adapting naturally to the people who use it throughout the day.

Through considered materiality, adaptable design and a forward-looking approach, Design Command demonstrates how hospitality interiors can create meaningful experiences today while remaining responsive to the changing expectations of guests and businesses in the future.

The Vision

Mood Board

Designing the Social Business Space

Design Command

 

 

"Our vision for the Social Business Space is to reinterpret classic hospitality in a fresh, contemporary way, creating a warm and inviting retreat where visitors can step away from the busy exhibition hall to connect, work or simply relax."

Clare McDonald, Design Command

 

Creating Space to Connect: Q&A with Clare McDonald

Our Social Business Space interprets ‘Shaping Tomorrow’ by bringing classic hospitality elements in a fresh and contemporary way. A calming palette of blues, greens, natural woods and earthy neutrals is layered with a textured tapestry mural and our team’s handmade artwork to create warmth, character and individuality. The space has been designed as a welcome retreat from the busy exhibition hall, offering visitors a choice of places to network, meet, work or relax. Soft seating, sheer curtains and warm layered lighting create an intimate and comfortable atmosphere, encouraging guests to slow down and unwind.

We have taken classic elements and brought them together in a fresh and inviting way. Wall panels in two tone colours form a subtle stripe design. Newmors tapestry mural complements the wall panel design and brings a rich texture to the space. Our own personal artworks displayed alongside bring character and individuality something we always encourage clients to bring their own stories, references or creative ideas into a project.

 

For this space we have chosen to focus more on soft casual seating over more formal table and chair arrangements.  This will help with the acoustics through sound absorption but also make the interior separate to the more formal external setting. The space will be surrounded by sheer café style curtains to help provide a sense of privacy without completely blocking out views to the surrounding exhibition hall.  Cool natural paint colours and landscape mural will calm the eye from the bright lights of the hall.

What role will lighting play in defining the space and creating the right mood throughout the day?

The space features a number of lighting styles, to create a diffused hospitality feel for a relaxed environment for causal conversation between guests.  Table lamps with warm light settings adds that hospitality feel, floor lamps and wall scones act as statement pieces.

We hope they find the space a welcome break from the busy show.

 

The Concept

Designed for Today

The concept balances current design trends with long-term thinking, creating a space that feels relevant now but has a sense of longevity. Warm and contemporary, the Social Business Space is designed to feel welcoming while being quietly innovative in the way it functions.

A Timeless Thread

The checkerboard pattern provides a visual thread throughout the scheme. Used across different materials, colours and scales, it takes something timeless and gives it a contemporary expression. Warm cherrywood, reclaimed finishes and toasted almond tones complete the palette.

Celebrating Independent Spirit

Bespoke artwork brings personality and individuality into the space. Inspired by craft, community and storytelling, the pieces celebrate the independent spirit at the heart of the show, while adding texture, expression and a sense of movement to the overall concept.

Sessions in the Social Business Space

Loading
Social Business Space
Social Business Space
    Social Business Space
    Accessibility is no longer a compliance checkbox, it's one of the fastest-growing opportunities in hospitality. Disabled travellers and their companions represent significant spending power, yet many …
    Social Business Space
    Hospitality Action’s latest survey findings show that manager capability around mental health is becoming even more important across hospitality. While openness around mental health may be improving, …
  1. Social Business Space
    What makes a space memorable? The answer goes far beyond what meets the eye. In this session, Kirsi Ihalainen, Founder and CEO of TUNTU, takes us behind the design of the Members Suite at Independent …
    Social Business Space
    What happens to your bottom line the moment a guest walks through the door? Check-in is often treated as a simple transaction, but it can also be one of the final opportunities to drive additional roo …
    Social Business Space
    Energy is one of the largest controllable costs within a hotel, but reducing consumption cannot come at the expense of the guest experience. In this interactive session, attendees will explore where e …
  2. Social Business Space
    A more connected hotel will give operators a clearer view of what’s happening across the property, bringing everything from guest-room technology and access control to energy and building systems toge …
Social Business Space
Social Business Space
    Social Business Space
    Creativity is becoming the last frontier of competitive advantage. As AI takes on more of the functional side of marketing, the value of original thinking has never been greater. Yet while marketers i …
    Social Business Space
    Could your team be your biggest competitive advantage? As independent hotels face rising expectations and tighter resources, attracting the right people and making smarter workforce decisions has neve …
    Social Business Space
    AA ratings remain one of the UK hospitality industry’s most recognised marks of quality, but are independent hotels making the most of their accreditation? In this interactive session, the AA will unp …
    Social Business Space
    The days of the uninspiring meeting room could be numbered. As businesses look for more flexible, characterful and convenient places to bring people together, independent hotels have a growing opportu …
Discover What's On
FAQs
Newsletter Sign Up
Getting to IHS