Most material decisions are still driven by aesthetics. But the real shift is happening in safety, performance, and sustainability, the layers a renovator or end user often doesn’t see, and rarely gets guided through. That’s the conversation missing across the broader industry.

In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Erin Payne from Cosentino to explore how one of the world’s leading surface manufacturers is reshaping the future of architecture and interior design.

From engineered stone to zero silica innovation, this is not just a conversation about benchtops. It is a conversation about responsibility. How materials are evolving, how decisions are made, and what designers need to understand to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting industry.With over 20 years as an interior designer before moving into the supply side, Erin brings a perspective most conversations miss. She understands both the creative intent and the commercial reality, and where they often do not align.

In this episode, we also covered this:

• Why “all stone is the same” is one of the biggest misconceptions in design

• The real difference between engineered, natural, and ultra-compact surfaces

• Zero silica and why this shift matters globally, not just in Australia

• How performance is becoming as critical as aesthetics

• What true sustainability looks like at a manufacturing level

• The role designers play in educating clients and where it often breaks down

• Where surface design is heading next and what to pay attention to

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Behind the Design for more conversations unpacking the people, processes, and ideas shaping the design industry.

Follow Erin Payne and Cosentino

https://www.instagram.com/erin_payne_design/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-payne-a99783121/

https://www.cosentino.com/en-au

Follow Unfolded:

https://www.unfolded.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_