awards – Page 2 – DesignApplause

2016 german design award select winners.

Nov 23, 2015

above> german design award installation at ambiente 2015 | click on image to engage lightbox | 18 images

the 2016 winners of the german design award have been made public. the gda is this one of the best award programs around. a very wide breadth of product submissions for cars, motorcycles, med & industrial equipment, architecture, it seems like everything. they’re also one of the best at showcasing winners in a huge installation at ambiente, a heavy investment in print and well represented online. this represents a heavy monetary investment in design. the above slideshow is a glimpse at 2015 during ambiente 2015. the german design award is hosted by the german design council who celebrates its 60th year in 2015

below are a sampling of 2016 winners.

above> lichtgrenze

category> event / light installation for 25 years fall of the wall celebrations in berlin 2014
client> kulturprojekte berlin gmbh für die stadt berlin
design> whitevoid / christopher bauder

award> gold 2016
jury statement> michel casertano | dr. angelika nollert | prof. hartmut a. raiser

from the 7th to the 9th of november 2014, berlin remembered the 25th anniversary of the fall of the berlin wall and the reunification of the city. in line with the festivities, there was a fascinating light installation that marked the former path of the wall with illuminated balloons along a 15.3 km stretch. on the final evening of the installation 8,000 balloon caretakers released the balloons into berlin’s night sky, each carrying a personal message. a moving project with enormous symbolic and charismatic power that made an impact far beyond the borders of germany. the project was realised through private financing – not by the city, which meant that there was a comparatively small budget. this is an impressive demonstration of the fact that one can create something extraordinarily effective even with limited means.

above> tentsile tree tent: stingray.

category> sports, outdoor activities and leisure
producer> tentsile
design> tentsile / alex shirley-smith

award> gold 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

the tentsile stingray is a new kind of tent that is hung between three trees, poles or branches and floats in the air, extending the radius of experience from two to three dimensions. the occupants (up to three people) are not only protected from the weather, but from wild animals and insects as well. the form changes according to the tent’s tension, making it seem almost like a living creature. this fascinating tree tent is an innovative outdoor tool that totally reinterprets the leisure tent system. at once functional and poetic.

above> aerfast 20th anni by storck.

category> transportation / racing bike
producer> storck bicycle
design> storck bicycle / mario kuban

award> gold 2016
jury statement > johannes barckmann | prof. andrea lipp | jürgen lewandowski

for its 20-year anniversary, the legendary bicycle manufacturer is releasing selected models as a limited edition set. the models have special anniversary paintwork and high-quality components. the set also includes a platinum handlebar and a seat with special supports. the frame is adorned tastefully with the master’s signature. a polo shirt with the brand name and a certificate signed by markus storck himself round off this exclusive set. the combination of technical perfection and dynamic styling reflects storck’s authentic passion for designing bikes: absolutely functional, absolutely carbonic! absolutely perfect.

above> timber structure sports center

category> architecture
client> kogakuin university
design> ft architects / hiroko tominaga

award> gold 2016
jury statement> mårten claesson | dr. michael peters | stefan von terzi

this pair of extraordinary buildings on the campus of the kogakuin university in tokyo houses a japanese archery facility and a boxing club. the two wooden structures made of native, local woods each cover a space of around 7.2 m x 10.8 m. this is about the size of a traditional japanese temple, and these spaces are similarly open and minimal, which has a positive effect on the athletes’ concentration. the special quality, however, is the support-free roof construction, which was planned and realised based on traditional japanese wooden structures. a fascinating statement that contributes to keeping this architectural style alive in the cultural memory. the way these buildings have transformed functionality into aesthetics can only be described as sensational.

above> bentley – exp 10 speed 6

category> transportation / concept car
producer> bentley motors
design> bentley motors

award> gold 2016
jury statement> johannes barckmann | prof. andrea lipp | jürgen lewandowski

the designers of the exp 10 speed 6 achieved a fantastic reinterpretation of the british legend and a self-aware statement of luxury and extravagance on the highest level. this is particularly apparent when looking at the interior. the door panels are not covered with leather matching the material used for steering wheel and seats like usual, but instead are covered with high-quality wood. the possibilities in high-quality processing and craftsmanship are demonstrated here. the exterior inspires with a progressive/elegant design vocabulary that transports the classic car into the future. muscular, athletically shaped surfaces that are inspired by aerodynamic shapes such as aircraft fuselages and aerofoils convey dynamism, power and speed. an extraordinarily beautiful automobile that perfectly combines aesthetics and precision – and is unmistakably a bentley. it couldn’t be done better!

above> takata maxi

category> baby and child care / children`s car seat
producer> takata
design> takata / reiner nett

award> gold 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

in this excellently designed children’s car seat, children stay both safe and comfortable, even on long trips. this is ensured by the stabile casing and the exceedingly soft padding on the seat itself and the arm supports. the microfiber fabrics are toxin-free and can be cleaned easily. the seatbelt guide has an auto-lock feature, guaranteeing that the belt stays in position, while the airpad safety technology protects the head. parents may enjoy the practical one-handed operation for size adjustment and belt fastening. a well-designed product, considered down to the last detail and visually appealing.

above> karuun® | kc collection

category> material and surfaces / innovative material based on natural rattan
producer> out for space
design> out for space / peter kraft, julian reuter, moritz fuhrmann, miriam bröckel

award> gold 2016
jury statement> nicole huffer | ruwen kaminski | jun.-prof. dr.-ing. jens krzywinski

karuun® is a highly innovative material that provides transformative new dimensions for the design possibilities of rattan. the composition of natural rattan can be understood as a bundle of small tubes, which makes it absolutely unique. the company out for space uses this special quality to inject natural filler material into the material. the result – karuun® – offers increased rigidity, fantastic bending properties, weather-resistance and a wide range of coloration possibilities. the kc collection gives a foretaste of what is possible with karuun®. and it is already an extremely impressive collection. all in all, a promising material that is also very sustainable. exciting.

above> smartintego

category> building and elements / digital lock cylinder
producer> simonsvoss technologies
design> ergon3 design / peter trautwein

award> gold 2016
jury statement> ruwen kaminski | jun.-prof. dr.-ing. jens krzywinski

with this new product line, simonsvoss offers the perfect solution for integrated access control systems. smart intego can be immediately connected to existing complex access control systems — and the smart intego manager makes it easier than ever by auto-configuring the system components and saving a significant amount of time and effort in comparison to other systems. the digital lock cylinder offers various additional functions such as audit trail, time zone management, event management and door monitoring.

above> illa kogelhof by paul de ruiter architects

category> architecture / residential
client> private client
design> paul de ruiter architects / paul de ruiter

award> winner 2016
jury statement> mårten claesson | dr. michael peters | stefan von terzi

villa kogelhof is designed to be completely energy self-sufficient and is located on a swath of land declared a conservation area by the government. the minimalist building, designed with straight lines, rests on v-shaped pillars to take away as little as possible from the protected habitant for plants and animals. the interior of the house is no less minimalist due to surrounding glass panels that enhance the home’s sense of openness and connection to nature. a great design that perfectly plays up interior and exterior, while redefining the standard for natural living.

above> notabag

category> lifestyle and fashion / combination of a bag and a backpack
producer> notabag
design> notabag / adnan alicusic, ilaria gregianin

award> winner 2016
jury statement> prof. stefan diez | nicolette naumann | silvia olp

notabag is a cleverly-designed combination of carrier and rucksack that can be carried on your arm or back, as desired. a simple motion is all it takes to change the rucksack into a bag or vice-versa. an internal back serves to store your wallet and keys. that means that everything is easy to find without having to rummage around for it. notabag transforms and closes all on its own, meaning that it doesn’t need any additional buttons or closures. if the bag isn’t needed it can fold down to almost nothing. a practical, amazingly designed product for daily use.

above> form

category> furniture / chair and table collection
producer> normann copenhagen
design> normann copenhagen / simon legald

award> special 2016
jury statement> prof. oliver grabes | sebastian herkner

form is a modern cup chair made using plastic mould casting, which is available with and without armrests and also as a bar stool in two different heights. the back and seat are ergonomically shaped and promise comfort and relaxation. form is an example of a flexible design that in principle fits on all frames – even those yet to be developed in the future. the series has now been expanded with a dining table in two sizes – the perfect accompaniment to the chairs.

[ 2016 winners ]

zaha hadid announced as 2016 royal gold medal winner.

Sep 27, 2015

above> zaha hadid | photo steve double

British architect Zaha Hadid is the first woman to earn in her own right the Royal Gold Medal for architecture. The medal, approved by the Queen and awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), has been the harborage of men since 1848, although women have shared the prize with others on a handful of occasions. Previous winners include IM Pei (2010), Frank Gehry (2000), Norman Foster (1983), Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1959), Le Corbusier (1953), Eliel Saarinen (1950), Frank Lloyd Wright (1941) and George Gilbert Scott (1859)

Zaha Hadid is internationally known for her built, theoretical and academic work. Each of her dynamic and innovative projects builds on over thirty years of revolutionary experimentation and research in the fields of architecture, design and urbanism.

RIBA President and chair of the selection committee, Jane Duncan, said: “Zaha Hadid is a formidable and globally-influential force in architecture. Highly experimental, rigorous and exacting, her work from buildings to furniture, footwear and cars, is quite rightly revered and desired by brands and people all around the world. I am delighted Zaha will be awarded the Royal Gold Medal in 2016 and can’t wait to see what she and her practice will do next.”

Zaha Hadid said: “I am very proud to be awarded the Royal Gold Medal, in particular, to be the first woman to receive the honour in her own right. I would like to thank Peter Cook, Louisa Hutton and David Chipperfield for the nomination and Jane Duncan and the Honours Committee for their support. We now see more established female architects all the time. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Sometimes the challenges are immense. There has been tremendous change over recent years and we will continue this progress. This recognition is an honour for me and my practice, but equally, for all our clients. It is always exciting to collaborate with those who have great civic pride and vision. Part of architecture’s job is to make people feel good in the spaces where we live, go to school or where we work – so we must be committed to raising standards. Housing, schools and other vital public buildings have always been based on the concept of minimal existence – that shouldn’t be the case today. Architects now have the skills and tools to address these critical issues.”

serpentine sackler gallery | photo luke hayes

Born in Baghdad in 1950, Zaha Hadid started her architectural journey in 1972 studying at the progressive Architectural Association in London. She joined her former professors, Rem Koolhaas and Elia Zenghelis, at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture in Rotterdam, where she became a partner in 1977. By 1979 she had established her own practice in London – Zaha Hadid Architects – garnering a reputation across the world for her trail-blazing theoretical works including The Peak in Hong Kong (1983), the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin (1986) and the Cardiff Bay Opera House in Wales (1994).

Working with office partner Patrik Schumacher, Hadid’s interest is in the interface between architecture, landscape, and geology; which her practice integrates with the use of cutting-edge technologies – the result is often unexpected and dynamic architectural forms.

Hadid’s first major built commission, one that catapulted her rise, was the Vitra Fire Station in Weil Am Rhein, Germany (1993); subsequent notable projects including the MAXXI: Italian National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome (2009), the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games (2011) and the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku (2013) illustrate her quest for complex, fluid space. Buildings such as the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati (2003) and the Guangzhou Opera House in China (2010) have also been hailed as architecture that transforms our ideas of the future with new spatial concepts and dynamic, visionary forms.

pierresvives | montpllier | photo helene binet

In 2004 Zaha Hadid became the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. She has twice won the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, the RIBA Stirling Prize: in 2010 for the MAXXI Museum in Rome, a building for the staging of 21st Century art, the distillation of years of experimentation, a mature piece of architecture conveying a calmness that belies the complexities of its form and organisation; and the Evelyn Grace Academy, a unique design, expertly inserted into an extremely tight site, that shows the students, staff and local residents they are valued and celebrates the school’s specialism throughout its fabric, with views of student participation at every turn.

Zaha Hadid’s other awards include the Republic of France’s Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Japan’s Praemium Imperiale and in 2012, Zaha Hadid was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She was made Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and Fellow of the American Institute of Architecture.

Zaha has held various adademic roles including the Kenzo Tange Chair at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University; the Sullivan Chair at the University of Illinois, School of Architecture; guest professorships at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg; the Knolton School of Architecture, Ohio and the Masters Studio at Columbia University, New York; the Eero Saarinen Visiting Professor of Architectural Design at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut and the University of Applied Arts in Vienna.

The Royal Medal comes at a good time for Hadid. In July 2015, her proposed National Stadium for the 2020 Games in Tokyo was renounced by the Japanese government at the 11 1/2 hour. We’re also reminded of a similar fate for the Cardiff Bay Opera House, Cardiff, Wales, 1995. Of interested she won both design competitions for these projects. However, virtue was rewarded in 2010. Using the designs for the Cardiff Bay Opera House on the Guangzhou Opera House, the opera house is now credited with transforming a Chinese city with a population more than four times the size of Wales into a cultural capital. [ zha ]

david adjaye earns the 2016 eugene mcdermott award.

Sep 9, 2015

david adjaye | ed reeve | view pictures ltd | alamy

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has selected Ghanaian-British architect and designer David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates as the recipient of the 2016 Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts, which “celebrates individuals whose artistic trajectory reveals that they will achieve the highest distinction in their fields and continue to produce inspiring work for many years to come.”

click on image > lightbox navigation

The architect will receive a sum of $100,000 and will participate in an artist residency at the Cambridge-based institution, which include a public presentation of Adjaye’s work, interaction with faculty and students, and a gala bash to bring together national and international leaders in the arts. Adjaye will also lead a keynote lecture about his own work on March 29, 2016.

“In my career I have sought to cross creative platforms, to collaborate with artists and designers from different disciplines and to focus on the creative discourse surrounding the act of making things,” Adjaye said. “I believe it is this dialogue—the cultural intersection—that moves us forward, generates new possibilities, and creates greatness. The Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts at MIT has long stood for exactly this principle, and it for this reason I am both supremely honored and supremely humbled to be named as this year’s recipient.”

In June, Knoll unveiled the Adjaye Collection, a series of African-inspired textiles designed to shatter stereotypes of the country’s creative output. His exhibition “Making Place: The Architecture of David Adjaye” at the Art Institute of Chicago opens this month.

[ david adjaye ] is recognized as a leading architect of his generation. Born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, his influences range from contemporary art, music and science to African art forms and the civic life of cities. He founded Adjaye Associates in 2000 and immediately won several prestigious commissions. Current projects include the $360 million Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington DC , the Alara concept store in Lagos , the Aishti Foundation arts and retail centre in Beirut , a new headquarters building for the International Finance Corporation in Dakar , the new home for The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Center for Art and Culture at Colgate University , and a condominium development for Four Seasons in Washington, DC.

soma architects wins james beard best restaurant.

Jun 3, 2015

The James Beard Awards are the most prestigious and exclusive awards for restaurant design. The 2015 edition of the award went to SOMA Architects for best Restaurant Design or Renovation in North America for their design of Workshop Kitchen & Bar in Palm Springs, California. Designed for the chef owners, Michael Beckman and Joe Mourani, the restaurant was completed in October of 2012 and has since been a staple of the Palm Springs community, serving playful “Americana” cuisine. Design award category> 76 Seats and Over (For the best restaurant design or renovation in North America since January 1, 2012).

“Our goal was to create a fresh new architectural identity to correspond the Workshop Kitchen and Bar,” said Michel Abboud, SOMA principal and founder. “We treated the existing historical building with the utmost respect. Our design approach was a simple insertion of poured in place cast concrete brutalist elements using an ecclesiastic design approach.”

In the center aisle, a 35-foot long communal table acts as a more public space, while large monolithic concrete booths provide a more intimate dining experience. Additionally, a private dining area at the back of the space allows guests to dine at the monolithic altarpiece. A great attention was given to every detail, including to the custom design of lighting fixtures in collaboration in PS Lab in order to elegantly compliment the brutalist interior.

International architecture firm SOMA, headquartered in New York, was founded in 2004 by Michel Abboud. With its focus on incorporating craft, digital technologies and environmental responsibility, the firm’s designs and work have attracted critical acclaim for their boundary pushing nature. SOMA’s work is rising around the world today–in New York, Dubai, Lebanon and other international markets.

tabanlıoğlu win a record three awards at ‘the plan’ 2015.

May 29, 2015

above> dakar congress centre | senegal africa | 2014 – winner in the ‘business’ category

You’ve seen these buildings before but not together like this. Istanbul headquartered Tabanlıoğlu Architects is the only architectural office to win three trophies at the international award program ‘The Plan’, part of Perspective Europe 2015.

A major event on the European architecture and cultural scene, founded in 2010, Perspective Europe is the inspiring two-day international architecture forum to share ideas, research and business opportunities, with a world leading program of conferences, keynote lectures, workshops and meetings.

Selected for their outstanding architectural innovation and social responsibility, the international jury selected three Tabanlıoğlu projects as the winners in their category:

Dakar Congress Centre, in the category for Business,
Bodrum International Airport in the Transport category
Astana Train Station in the categories of Future Projects and Transport

above> Winner in Business – Dakar Congress Centre, Senegal, 2014
A roof for peace: Natural values are the inspiration of project. Inspired by Baobab trees of Senegal, distinctive with their enormous girth; kings were crowned beneath the tree and they mark public squares. Like being sheltered by an ancient monumental tree, a one-piece roof encases the complex building units, which are connected via water and bridges. Blocks are nested in a metal envelop as sun-break, twisted blades form texture of mesh. Reflecting on water, floating expression of building becomes a dramatic illustration. Entrances are at all sides. Main hall is for 1500 delegates where presidents face audience. The complex houses a museum, restaurant and other facilities open to public.

bodrum international airport | bodrum turkey | 2012 – winner in ‘transport’

above> Winner in Future Projects and Transport – Bodrum International Airport, Turkey, 2012
Balance of Light and Shadow: Defined as “non-place” according to Marc Augé, the terminal building is one of the most typical examples of standard spaces you can see all around the world. Although such buildings are accepted to be the embodiment of globalization and super-modernity, Bodrum Airport aims to get rid of the pressure and monotony created by compulsory standards and becomes a special spot, not only for travel, but also significant to the region it connects. The sense of wealth created with minimum use of columns, high ceilings and optimum daylight received through sides and roof relieves the tension of journeys event at the most depressing straits such as the security search and passport check points. The suspended ceiling made up of light-weight aluminium rods facilitates the maintenance process of the mechanical systems behind it. The integrity and one-piece impression is enriched by the harmony of material, supported by opaque, screen printed or sheer glass and local natural stone on different directions of façades. Use of local black marble on the floors emphasizes the effect of continuity and depth in the terminal.

astana train station | astana kazakhstan | 2013 – winner in ‘future projects and transport’

above> Winner in Future Projects and Transport – Astana Train Station, Kazakhstan, 2013 – under construction
Connecting places and people: Located on the axial ceremonial route from the Presidential Palace, the new train station promotes a positive change starting from the close vicinity as the synergetic effects of transportation investments are highly upgrading for the regions that become a part of the network. The public realm, because of its anticipated intensive usage, is highly legible, robust and sustainable. Articulating the urban space, the structure of the roof is considered as a major element in building the space. The monolithic roof system is an integral part of the structure of the station. The main bearing construction of the light-weight roof is steel; the design refined to optimize strength and stiffness, and provides an economical yet durable configuration with good resistance against weather conditions.

[ the plan award ] The projects were shortlisted from more than 500 entries that were presented by their architects before the international jury members, including Aldo Cibic, Christian de Portzamparc, Matteo Thun, Odile Decq, Xiang Ning Li and Sanjay Puri during the Forum, at which, Murat Tabanlıoğlu further took part as a key lecturer.

The categories for The Plan Award include Business, Culture, Design, Education, Health, Hospitality, House, Housing, Innovative Architecture, Interior, Landscape, Mixed Use, Office, Old&New, Production, Public Space, Renovation, Retail, Special Projects, Sport&Leisure, Transport, Villa

Categories for Future Project: Culture, Education, Health, Hospitality, Innovative, House, Housing, Mixed Use, Old&New, Office, Production, Public Space, Retail, Sport&Leisure, Transport

Alessi in love. Design contest.

Aug 1, 2013

NEW: The stakes have been raised. Three additional seats are available for the workshop and the deadline is extended to 3 December 2013.

Italian ‘Design Factory‘ Alessi invites you to rethink the product as an act of love. The aim is to interpret a love token in a contemporary way, designing a new object that celebrates this universal emotion. The best proposals, selected by a jury headed by Alberto Alessi, will grant you access to an exclusive workshop conducted by Laura Polinoro, for the development of the new Alessi collection. [ details ] [ alessi ] [ cranbrook academy of art / alessi workshop ]

contest dates: 1 august > 7 october 2013 EXTENDED > 3 December 2013