Returning for the fifth consecutive year to the Birmingham NEC, the award-winning Grand Designs Live Birmingham sponsored by npower juice is back, showcasing inspirational design, self build, interiors and cutting-edge homewares from the 8th – 10th October 2010.
Based on the hugely successful Channel 4 TV series – presented by design guru Kevin McCloud – Grand Designs Live Birmingham sponsored by npower juice is split into six sections, creating an exciting array of Grand ideas in each including: Grand Interiors, Grand Build sponsored by VELUX, Grand Technology, Grand Gardens, Grand Kitchens sponsored by Miele, Grand Bathrooms and the spectacular Grand Village with its Live Eco builds and range of self build innovations and expert advice. Plus not to mention sections dedicated to Grand Technology and Grand Food.
Grand Designs Live Birmingham sponsored by npower juice will be full of many exciting things to see to help visitors with any home improvement or self build project, big or small, and will offer visitors access to the UK’s widest selection of top brands all under one roof.
Here’s our guide to the Top Ten Things to See at Grand Designs Live Birmingham 2010 sponsored by npower juice:
1. Grand Technology
The House of the Future will showcase the latest technology, design and innovation for the home. This amazing hub of entertainment will see a home set-up with regular 15 minute demonstrations of, products by Mi-Hub, Miele, Roca, Electrolux and Aqualisa amongst others. There will be a variety of products from remote control showers, touch screen ovens, wardrobes which use biometrics, and also WiPower, technology set to revolutionise the way we use electricity by allowing all devices to be charged and powered cable-free.
Embrace your inner gadget-geek through the inventions of tomorrow, and experience domestic bliss with the UK’s ultimate, our Live House of the Future.
You’ll also find a whole area dedicated to the latest home entertainment and domestic gadgets in our Grand Technology section, packed full of products, demonstrations, and first rate advice. Don’t miss a unique opportunity to experience some of the amazing content that will be available on the new Sky 3D channel at the unique ‘Sky Prism’ – an interactive walk-in demo at Grand Design Live.
2. Try Me Zone
The ‘Try Me Zone’ will be set within Grand Technology, it will be an area where visitors can indulge and touch, play and try out some of the hottest and exciting products, some of which have just become available to buy!
• Microsoft Kinect (for Xbox 360) - Kinect brings games and
entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways, with full body play. Arms, legs, feet, and hands, with Kinect there are no controllers, just you. It’s so natural, so intuitive that technology evaporates, letting the natural magic in all of us shine through. All you need to do is jump in. Available to buy in the UK from 10th November 2010.
• Sony PlayStation Move – PlayStation Move redefines motion gaming with the most immersive and realistic gaming experience only possible on the PlayStation 3 system. The simple, easy-to-use controller captures a full range of motion giving you ultimate control over how you play the game.
• SKY 3D – The next revolution in TV is here and can be experienced at Grand Designs Live. Sky 3D is Europe’s first 3D channel. Using the latest technology to create an incredible 3D experience, SKY 3D will bring some of the best sports, movies and entertainment in amazing 3D, right to the heart of your living room.
• Ovei – The Ovei capsule can deliver the ultimate in digital media experiences, powered by Blue4 entertainment system.
3. Grand Designs ‘Expert Advice Centre’ sponsored by VELUX
The Grand Designs Expert Advice Centre sponsored by VELUX offers free, one-to-one expert advice in every aspect of home design, refurbishment and improvements, From architecture to project management, visitors can take their plans along to the show and gain FREE advice from our resident experts, on hand to throughout the three day event.
You'll find RIBA chartered architects, Grand Designs Magazine Experts, Mary Riley (Financial Advisor), Peter Caplehorn (Architecture and project management), Andrew D Thompson (BLDA Consultancy) and Graham Davies (Project Manager) as well as the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologist (CIAT) if your project needs that technical expertise.
Bring your plans and book your FREE 30 minute consultation with one of our experts before you get your project underway.
4. Grand Village
The Grand Village is one of the most exciting halls in the exhibition, showcasing full sized buildings which visitors can see first-hand, the latest build and improvement techniques and eco developments.
The Village will host some of the most innovative eco builds, including the Pilotis, a low impact, upcyled and architecturally aware project, based on the Forest School project at Elleray Prep School in Windermere, in the Lake District. In addition to this there will also be the beautifully constructed in.it.studio, Archipod Garden Office and the latest build from ECO Modular Living.
All buildings are fully furnished so you may also pick up some inspiration for smaller projects around your home, as well as offering the opportunity to speak to the brands behind the concepts.
5. Kevin McCloud’s ‘Green Heroes’ & Midlands ‘Green Heroes’
Kevin McCloud, our show Ambassador and TV presenter of Grand Designs, introduced ‘Kevin’s Green Heroes’, and now NEW for Birmingham will present ‘Midlands Green Heroes’ which will feature four of the products displayed in London and a further four Midlands entrants exclusive to Grand Designs Live Birmingham.
Kevin McCloud personally chose the products/ inventions which he feels deserve wider recognition for their green credentials and innovative designs.
6. Grand Kitchens & Live Kitchen Experience sponsored by Miele
As the largest kitchen showcase in the UK, Grand Kitchens sponsored by Miele, will showcase some of the coolest kitchens on the market from a host of top manufacturers. From modern contemporary sleek designs, to country classic styles, Grand Designs Live has it covered to help you find that perfect look for your home. With the latest trends and styles, you can be sure that there will be something that will inspire you or help you in the decision making process.
IKEA will be exhibiting at the show for the very first time with three different kitchen designs, representing one for each stage of a person’s life while other top name brands include Porcelanosa, Poggenpohl, and Stonewood amongst many others.
In addition, Miele will also be providing the Live Kitchen Experience which will boast two unique interactive and experiential scenarios. The first will showcase top chefs cooking on the Live Kitchen and the second will allow the visitors to interact and experience Miele appliances on the Kitchen Inspiration feature, demonstrating Mieles cutting edge kitchen appliances including induction hobs, steam ovens, coffee machines, warming drawers and cooker hoods.
The top chefs appearing in the Live Kitchen include Will Holland (La Becasse), Aktar Islam (Lasan), John Burton-Race, Martin Blunos, Micah Carr-Hill (Product Developer at Green & Black’s), Steve Love (Loves) and Sudha Shankar Saha (Saffron).
7. Preview the new BMW X3
As official car sponsor of Grand Designs Live, BMW will be offering visitors an exclusive preview of the new BMW X3 ahead of its UK launch on 20 November 2010. Combining performance with efficiency, luxury and practicality, the new BMW X3 offers best in class performance whilst keeping CO2 emissions low, thanks to EfficientDynamics technologies. Visitors to Grand Designs Live will be given a chance to preview the new BMW X3 for the first time in the UK within the Grand Gardens.
For more information please visit www.bmw.co.uk/newx3
8. Grand Seminar Theatre
Take a seat to hear from the very best experts in our Grand Seminar Theatre, with hourly seminars that cover numerous topics covering architecture, build, eco-living, as well as real case studies from people who have been through their own self-build projects. Pick up the best advice and comment regarding the future of home design, from people who have been there first hand, and expert advice, tips and discussions from celebrities including; Kevin McCloud, architect and TV presenter George Clarke, green designer Oliver Heath and interior designer Naomi Clever.
9. Grand Show Gardens - Metallic Gardens
Dripping with golden and bronze shades, the Grand Show Gardens will display the beauty of the autumn season in a garden setting. Where conkers, leaves, bare trees and the cold are usually a sign to lock the garden up for the winter, this show garden will demonstrate how visitors can continue to enjoy and entertain and cosy up with nature throughout winter.
Visitors can take a walk on the stunning Addagrip resin path through the golden forest where the aspiring trend follower can expect to find unusual sculptures from Ian Gill sculptures and Susan Long as well as beautiful seating and garden accessories from Moore Designs, Julia Jacobs and Oceans Furniture.
Whether you want to just dip your toe or dive straight into metallic heaven, there will be something here to help inject autumn metallic in your outdoor space.
10. Grand Interiors
This year’s Grand Interiors section has the widest range of interior design and style advice than ever. The Design Arcade offers visitors a wide range of leading product designers showcasing some fabulous home wares, as well as a unique opportunity to see some up and coming talent from our Designer Bursary, that will help add a touch of personality to your home.
For visitors looking to get some expert advice on interiors, they can head over to the Dulux stand where they can get expert interior design advice, paint and wallpaper inspiration, live demonstrations, a chance to win a home make over and also meet the Dulux dog!
Grand Designs Live Birmingham sponsored by npower juice will take place from Friday 8th until Sunday 10th October 2010, at the NEC, Birmingham. Opening 10am-6pm Friday & Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday.
Book Tickets now and Save £5, log on to www.granddesignslive.com or call the 24 hour box office on 0871 230 5583 and for groups 0844 412 465. + Kids go free.
