On the 4th and 5th of September, over 1550 trade professionals filled the halls of the CTICC for the 7th annual Scape Design Emporium — a marquee moment on the national design calendar. Over two days, eight immersive scenes, and 32 industry icons on stage, the industry came together like never before to share ideas, challenge convention, and ignite the future of architecture and design in South Africa.

This year marked a milestone: for the first time, the Emporium unfolded across two full days, powered by Belgotex — a brand whose commitment to design and innovation propels the industry forward. Adding to the sense of occasion, Safal Steel flew 12 Johannesburg-based design leaders to Cape Town, ensuring the Emporium resonated as a truly national event. The theme, “Design You Can Feel,” delivered bold conversations, striking collaborations, and experiences that redefined what an industry gathering can be.

From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere was electric. Conversations spilled from the stages into hallways, where colleagues, collaborators, and competitors found common ground in their shared passion for the built environment. The set, furnished by Poetry of Living, became more than a backdrop — it was a living stage where ideas played out in real time, shaping the tone of the event.

One of the standout moments was Threads, a collaborative installation by Scape x Belgotex. A single Belgotex thread handed to nine visionary makers — KLûK CGDT, Studio Ananta, Studio Lloyd, Crystal Birch, Pichulik, Daisie Jo, Hoi P’loy, Wunders, and Jan Ernst — each weaving it into an expression of innovation and imagination. Watching Jan Ernst evolve his piece live brought the concept to life.

The Scape Brand of the Year Awards added another layer of anticipation and prestige. The shortlist reflected the remarkable breadth of South African design — from the luxury craftsmanship of The Spa Warehouse, Starch Living, blu_line, and Officine Gullo, to the bold innovation of Atelier33, Rhino Wood, Paintsmiths, Q1 Aluminium & Glass, Rubio Monocoat, Safal Steel, Victoria + Albert Baths, Victorian Bathrooms, ProNature, Nuuma, Max on Top, Lights by Linea, Klay, JNA Group, Igneous Concrete, Coral + Hive, Corobrik, and Akashic Tiles. Sixteen judges — themselves leaders of architecture and design — assessed entries on craft, innovation, and brand impact. In the end, it was Officine Gullo who took home Luxury Brand of the Year, with Klay named Brand of the Year. Runners-up Starch Living and Coral + Hive earned special mentions for their distinctive contributions.

As the programme built momentum, the CTICC Ballroom became the beating heart of the industry — where ideas were digested over a glass of Spier bubbly, partnerships were formed in the margins of panels, and the sense of a collective future grew stronger by the hour.

The grand finale brought the industry’s giants to the stage for an unfiltered Q&A — Stefan Antoni of SAOTA, Derick Henstra of dhk, and Anthony Orelowitz of Paragon. Their candour, humour, and insight cut through the noise, leaving the audience with a clear message: the future of architecture and design in South Africa will be bold, resilient, and defined by those willing to challenge the status quo.

“Belgotex go beyond sponsors — they are partners… They are active supporters of the industry, with a commitment that extends far beyond this event into the Venice Biennale and the Africa Architecture Awards. It has been an honour to share our stage and vision for the architecture and design industry with a brand as passionate and purpose-driven as we are.”— Chanel Besson, Director of Scape Magazine.”

And, as always, the story didn’t end when the stage lights dimmed. A select group carried the energy into the night at the Belgotex showroom in Century City, transformed into a playground of texture, sound, and taste. With tactile installations, a menu themed “the sound of food you can feel,” and tastes that sparked both curiosity and laughter, it was a multisensory celebration that blurred the lines between exhibition and experience.

The Scape Design Emporium was never just about products, panels, or parties. It was about connection. It was about proving that when the industry comes together — for the industry, by the industry — something greater than the sum of its parts is created.

This year, design was not just something we saw — it was something we truly felt.