Future Talks 2026 at Decorex Cape Town: Global & African Design Voices, Talks & Insights

At a moment when the boundaries of design are rapidly expanding, Future Talks 2026 arrives at Decorex Cape Town with a programme that reflects both the urgency and optimism shaping the industry today. Presented by Oggie, the four-day series—running from 25 to 28 June at the Cape Town International Convention Centre—brings together more than 40 speakers from across Africa and the globe, offering a layered exploration of how we live, design and build in an evolving world.

Set against Decorex’s 2026 theme, The Soft Life, the talks move beyond surface aesthetics to probe deeper questions of wellbeing, sustainability and cultural resonance. Through a mix of panel discussions, keynotes and open conversations, the programme interrogates the ways in which spaces are increasingly designed not only for function, but for restoration, sensory engagement and emotional connection. It is a shift that signals a broader recalibration within the industry—one that places human experience at its core.

This year’s line-up strikes a considered balance between local and international perspectives. Among the highlights is LRNCE, the Marrakech-based studio led by Laurence Leenaert and Ayoub Boualam, whose work explores layered interiors and collectible objects imbued with intimacy and soul. Their presence underscores a growing global appetite for design that feels personal, tactile and deeply expressive.

Equally significant is the participation of Titi Ogufere, founder of Lagos Design Week, who joins Decorex’s creative leadership in a conversation around Soft Power and the increasing exchange between African design platforms. This dialogue reflects a wider continental momentum, where collaboration and cultural storytelling are becoming central to design discourse. Extending the global conversation further, a Brazil-focused session featuring Julia Franco of Nosso offers insight into the intersections of craft, culture and material expression across geographies.

Architecture and practice take centre stage in sessions such as The Fifth Façade, led by ARRCC principals Jon Case and Mark Rielly, and The Shape of Practice, chaired by Chris Reid. Together, these discussions unpack the current realities of architectural work, from conceptual thinking to the pressures and possibilities shaping the profession today.

Materiality, too, is a recurring thread. Sessions like Ten by Ten—featuring Binky Newman, Sandile Cele and The Minimalist—and Material Comforts delve into the tactile and sensory dimensions of design, examining how texture, detail and craftsmanship influence the way spaces are experienced. These conversations are closely aligned with Oggie’s focus on sustainable hardwood flooring and cladding, reinforcing the importance of material integrity in contemporary design practice.

The 100% Fresh platform

Alongside established voices, Future Talks 2026 makes space for emerging talent. The 100% Fresh platform introduces rising designers such as Walter Train and Mpumelelo of Good Better Best Studio, offering a glimpse into the next generation of creative thinkers. Complementing this is The Business of Design, hosted in partnership with Capitec, which traces the journeys of young studios as they build sustainable, future-facing practices.

The programme draws to a thoughtful close with sessions on Experiential Lighting, hosted by Martin Doller, and Ritual, Rest and Repair, featuring Roxanne Kaye of SAOTA—conversations that return to the central theme of designing for human experience and wellbeing.

Guiding the series is host Bathandwa Ngwendu, whose multidisciplinary storytelling approach lends a reflective and engaging tone to the programme. Under her direction, each conversation becomes part of a broader narrative about where design is headed—and why it matters.

Designed for industry professionals, creatives and enthusiasts alike, Future Talks 2026 offers not only insight but tangible professional value, with attendees able to earn 2.0 CPD credits across the series. As the design world continues to navigate change, the programme positions itself as both a mirror and a catalyst—capturing the ideas shaping the present while opening pathways into the future.

Full programme details and registration information are available at www.decorex.co.za