ICFF 2026 Returns to NYC with Range of Speakers and Exhibits

April 21, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

Bringing together established brands, emerging talent, and global perspectives, ICFF 2026 features cross-disciplinary conversations on artificial intelligence, housing, material health, design media, and the evolving relationship between hospitality, residential, and commercial spaces.

Talks and programming will take place across dedicated venues throughout the fair, including The Main Stage, sponsored by Moroso, with programming sponsored by Danver and L Acoustics; The Oasis, sponsored by Ethnicraft, Leon Speakers, and Mohawk Group and presented with Architonic; Aqua Atelier x Grohe; the Bespoke Salon, designed by Post Company, sponsored by Andrée Putman Studio and Ferreira de Sá, and presented with Hospitality Design Magazine; and the Juniper Recharge Lounge. Additional support from Tonester Paints brings color across the Bespoke and WANTED areas.

ICFF TALKS OVERVIEW

STIRWorld Founder and Editor-in-Chief Amit Gupta will lead a discussion on design’s potential as a tool for cross-cultural diplomacy. Metropolis Senior Editor Francisco Brown will engage Jonsara Ruth (Parsons Healthy Materials Lab) and Lara Kaufman (Studio Gang) in a conversation about the ecological and health implications of building materials.

TRAME Head of Brand Jaime Derringer will speak with Nicholas Baker, Adam Rolston (INC Architecture & Design), and Erick Calderon (Art Blocks / La Nova Tile) about how artificial intelligence is reshaping design workflows from concept to production.

Dezeen US Editor Ben Dreith will host a keynote conversation with acclaimed architecture studio AD–WO, exploring how pavilions can function simultaneously as architectural structures and design objects.

A discussion led by Jack Murphy (The Architect’s Newspaper) will bring together Ed Bakos (Champalimaud Design) and Jonathan Garnett (Modellus Novus) to examine the increasingly fluid boundaries between hospitality, residential, and retail design.

Design media will take center stage in a conversation moderated by Untapped Editor-in-Chief Tiffany Jow, featuring industry voices Jill Singer, Dan Rubinstein, and Lila Allen, exploring how design journalism is evolving across print, digital, and social media.

Independent journalist Diana Budds will lead a conversation with Sabrina Lippman (Habitat for Humanity NYC), Treger Strasberg (Humble Design), and Sara Caples (Caples Jefferson Architects) on the role of design in addressing social challenges and expanding access to housing.

William Hanley, Editor-in-Chief of Dwell, will moderate a conversation with Amie Gross (Amie Gross Architects) and Blake Middleton (Handel Architects) examining the housing crisis and the role design can play in shaping more equitable urban environments.

Architect Mark Gardner, President of AIA New York, will present two urban research projects developed through the organization’s fellowship program.

Design journalist Julie Lasky, of The New York Times, will lead a discussion with Jonathan Bowles (Center for an Urban Future) and Faith Rose (O'Neill Rose Architects) examining the impact of design on New York City’s economy.

The program concludes with the launch of Todd Bracher’s new monograph, Observations, Research, and Design, published by Phaidon. The program also marks the return of Amy Devers, host of Clever, who will lead the live critique for the Emerging Designer Showcase, presented with Danver and featuring designer Lee Broom, Chay Costello of MoMA, and Daniel Germani of Danver.

Allan Chochinov of Core77 will host the Schools Workshop Presentation in partnership with school and workplace furniture manufacturer KI.

“Common Ground is both the theme of ICFF 2026 and the foundation of this year’s talks program,” say ICFF Brand Directors Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat. “Across conversations on artificial intelligence, material health, housing, and the future of design media, the program brings together designers, architects, editors, and cultural leaders to explore the ideas shaping design today and the shared challenges that connect our disciplines.”

The ICFF Talks program is open to all registered attendees and included with admission. Full schedule can be found here.

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

Material Innovations with Ancient Roots: An Exhibition by Healthy Materials Lab ICFF 2026 introduces a new Materials section within The Oasis, developed in collaboration with Jonsara Ruth and Parsons Healthy Materials Lab alongside key partners in sustainable design.

Sponsored by Hydro, Cosentino, and Habitat Matter and in partnership with Metropolis, the exhibition explores bio-based materials, healthier alternatives, and forward-thinking production processes through a dynamic series of talks and workshops.

Rarify Reframes Modern Design at ICFF

Rarify presents a landmark exhibition in official partnership with Tecta and Bauhaus Archiv Berlin, bringing museum-quality Bauhaus archival drawings, prints, and artifacts to ICFF for the first time. Shown alongside contemporary furniture by Tecta, the presentation explores modern design as a living framework that continues to shape everyday life while marking Rarify as Tecta’s exclusive U.S. representative.

Interni Magazine Lounge

The Interni Lounge becomes an immersive oasis of design, conceived by Francesca Portesine of Skidmore, Owings & Merril and featuring Italian design brands. It reimagines interior space as a refined, contemporary retreat—where architecture, materiality, and atmosphere converge.

Enriched by the presence of leading Italian design companies, the installation celebrates the excellence and innovation of Italian design.

ACTIVATION SPACES

WANTED: WANTED returns with Look Book, featuring more than 60 North American design studios, presented with media partner Dezeen, and the Look Book Lounge, sponsored by Topjob. Launch Pad, sponsored by American Standard and presented with WantedDesign and media partner Dwell, features more than 80 emerging designers showcasing prototypes and new concepts in furniture, home accessories, and lighting.

Schools Showcase welcomes more than 20 participating schools and is presented with media partner Design Milk, and the Design Schools Workshop, with theme “The Unseen Narratives,” is conducted this year in partnership with Centro (Mexico), sponsored by KI, with the support of molo, and presented with Core77

Bespoke: The Art of Making: Sponsored by Andrée Putman Studio and Ferreira de Sá, this returning feature showcases high-end artisans and finely crafted furnishings, textiles, and finishes, centered around the Bespoke Salon by Post Company with daily activations from Hospitality Design Magazine.

Welcoming Lounge by Ligne Roset: The iconic brand returns to host the Welcoming Lounge at the entrance of the fair Aqua Atelier by Grohe: An exploration of sustainable water practices and new materials within the Kitchen & Bath pavilion, featuring conversations led by industry experts Juniper Recharge Lounge: A serene, lighting-driven space designed for reconnection, networking, and restoration

The Rarify Dining Lounge, in partnership with Be Original Americas: Designed by RADS – Rodolfo Agrella Design Studio, curated by Rarify, and furnished in collaboration with Be Original Americas. The Dining Lounge offers a unique exhibition-like experience while learning about authentic design.

ROOM x OFS: ROOM x OFS returns this year with a collaborative studio and lounge space where conversations and content merge. The ROOM x OFS space will host live discussions with design thought-leaders as part of their "In the ROOM" podcast. ROOM will also unveil the next episode of its acclaimed Designers on Design video series live on the ICFF Main Stage, featuring tête-à-têtes with today's top design talents.

ICFF Editors Awards: Honoring excellence across product categories and disciplines, highlighting standout work and emerging voices. The awards take place May 17 at 5:30 PM. ICFF Night Out returns on May 15 at the Moroso and Lixil showrooms in partnership with

NYCxDESIGN and Interni.

For more information about ICFF and the exhibitor list, please visit icff.com.

SHOW DATES & HOURS

Sunday, May 17: 10AM–6PM

Monday, May 18: 10AM–6PM

Tuesday, May 19: 10AM–5PM

Photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography