The Challenge

Daikin UK needed an exhibition stand design that could flex seamlessly across two major shows, Grand Designs Live and the Installer Show, each targeting a different audience.

Grand Designs Live attracts a mix of trade and consumer visitors, design-savvy homeowners, renovators, and sustainability enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Installer Show focuses on a B2B audience of engineers and installation professionals.

The brief was to create one design that could be adapted to the two varying audiences, within the given budget. Daikin required a clean, design-led space that reflected its innovation in home energy and cooling solutions. Further, the brief needed to adjust to different stand sizes, footprints, and product focuses.

Our Approach

Our solution was a fully modular stand system that could be reconfigured to suit both venues, a 10m x 5m layout at two separate Grand Designs shows, and a larger 13m x 15m format at the Installer Show.

The focus at Grand Designs was to showcase renewable energy products and aesthetically customisable air-conditioning units, designed to appeal primarily to homeowners. Meanwhile, the Installer Show version leaned into the technical and commercial advantages of Daikin’s underfloor and cooling systems, with expanded product panels and direct sales support.

Key to its success was the modular design:

• A central coffee and meeting hub formed the heart of both layouts.
• Product display ‘wings’ extended from the corners, allowing flexibility in the layout.
• Additional panels expanded the structure of the larger stand and showcased supporting products on the double-sided walls.

The entire build used a sustainably sourced wooden frame with a series of painted pastel finishes, drawn from Daikin’s full brand palette, and formed to create an ombre effect overall. This produced a bright, inviting aesthetic that stood out from the neutral tones of neighbouring stands, but also ensured the structure could be reused, repurposed, and refurbished easily between the three shows.

The Result

The final design delivered both style and sustainability. It balanced the practicality of a functional trade stand with the warmth and polish expected from a consumer-facing brand presence.

Highlights included:

• A flexible, modular system adaptable for multiple show sizes and audiences.
• A bright, design-led finish that brought energy and visual appeal.
• Sustainable materials and reuse strategy, minimising waste and cost.
• Strong customer feedback for its distinctive colour palette and inviting atmosphere.

True to our operational style, sustainability was a core design principle at the heart of this project. Using a natural wood frame and modular components, the stand was designed for longevity and repurposing, enabling it to be reused across three major exhibitions with minimal adaptation. This approach significantly reduced both material waste and cost, while maintaining aesthetic consistency and performance.

Our build partners also play a key role in extending each stand’s lifecycle. Carpets, beams, and structural units are refurbished, recycled, or repurposed whenever possible, aligning with our ISO-accredited sustainability standards, and supporting our wider commitment to responsible event delivery.

The success of the dual-show design has led to continued collaboration, with a new creative phase now in development for 2026. Once again, the focus will centre on modularity, creativity, and long-term brand value to drive impact across every event.