Innovationspreis Architektur+ Office 2022 – the winners

For the 12th time the architectural journal AIT and AIT-Dialog in cooperation with Koelnmesse, initiated the Innovation Award Architecture+ Office during ORGATEC 2022. The award is aimed at designers and manufacturers of innovative materials and products in the fields of office furniture, accessories and equipment, lighting, floor coverings and other products for use in office buildings. The competition was initiated with the intention of awarding prizes to products that particularly meet the needs of architects and interior designers. The award recognizes conceptual solutions for selected objects and products that are equally convincing in terms of design and functionality.

Renowned jury members from the fields of architecture and interior design selected the winners from 33 submitted products on 25 October 2022. The Innovation Award Architecture+ Office, two Special Mentions and three Mentions were awarded:

Innovation Award Architecture+ Office 2022

Product: pony
Manufacturer: gumpo GmbH & Co. KG
Design: RelvãoKellermann

Ana Relvão and Gerhardt Kellermann, art directors at gumpo, designed a very likeable piece of furniture that not only captivates with its charm and wit. It also meets all the requirements of the modern workspace: people can sit on it in a variety of ways, and it not only adopts one perspective but can react quickly to different needs – whether in a library, a school, a foyer, at home or in the office. Pony impresses with its material mix of wood and recycled plastic waste, but last but not least, it makes our hearts smile. The jury warmly congratulates on winning the Innovation Award Architecture+ Office 2022!

Special Mention

Product: D2
Manufacturer: Kinnarps brand Skandiform
Design: Stefan Borselius

The D2 chair family from Skandiform, which is part of the Kinnarps Group, impresses with its light and airy form. The jury envisages versatile uses in the office, home office and private environments. Particularly noteworthy is the new biocomposite used for the seat shell, which consists of hemp and wood cellulose and can be melted and reshaped several times.

Product: FOLLOW MEETING LARGE
Manufacturer: MARA SRL
Design: MARA R&D department

The FOLLOW MEETING LARGE high and low table impressed with its simple and straightforward design. In addition, the innovative, infinitely variable height adjustment mechanism without electric drive is a convincing functional detail. The sturdy but well-designed base ensures that the table stands securely. Ultimately, it is the clear, simple and thoroughly functional design that made a lasting impression on the jury.

Mention
Product: Blocks smart lockers
Manufacturer: Blocks
Design: MgA. Bartolomej Holubar

The jury quickly came to like the smart lockers from Blocks. The operation of the digital menu via smartphone (without app) is quickly explained and playful. Smart lockers by designer Bart Holubar combines a clear design statement with uncomplicated digital use. The simplicity of use and operation inspired the jury to brainstorm about the most diverse installation possibilities – for the most diverse work and life situations. The jury considers the smart lockers product to be an intelligent contribution to the imminent requirements for mobile working, independent and free of time and place.

Product: sshhh 3
Manufacturer: EVAVAARADESIGN / Studio Antti E Oy

First and foremost, sshhh 3 impressed the jury with its simple but atmospheric design. The piece of furniture fits perfectly into our times with the current themes of home office and office workstation – thus satisfying both requirement profiles in an unpretentious way. The quality of details in some areas still appears to be that of a prototype, but in principle the flexible furniture convinced the jury with its plain and cheeky Scandinavian design.

Product: Tipo Board
Manufacturer: AICHI CO., LTD.
Design: Taku Kumazawa, AICHI CO., LTD.

Tipo Board impressed the jury with its lightweight construction and the associated moveability. Up to 30 desks can be stacked and are excellently suited for temporary training rooms, multifunctional rooms, schools and universities. It is precisely this moveability that is crucial for using and trying out new forms of teaching and learning. Because the jury is convinced that new pedagogical concepts also require furniture that is different from what has been used in schools so far, they award a mention to Tipo Board.

The participants:
AICHI CO., LTD.
MARA SRL
Blocks
Mobitec SA
CG Solutions Co Ltd
Narbutas International
English Dekor
NetTask GmbH
Ergotron
Nowy Styl sp. z o. o.
EVAVAARADESIGN
Office Work Center sarl
GABER
ONGO GmbH
gumpo GmbH & Co. KG
Palmberg
IKONO
Pedrali S.P.A.
Kinnarps AB
Softrend Group OÜ
Klöber
UAB Tronhill

The jury members:
Thomas Habscheid-Führer, Carpus+Partner, Köln
Britta van Hüth, gernot schulz : architektur, Köln
Hans-Günter Lübben, Kaspar Kraemer Architekten, Köln
Ana Vollenbroich, NIDUS Studio, Düsseldorf
Andrea Weitz, raumkontor Innenarchitektur, Düsseldorf

The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, 25 October 2022 at 5pm at the Innovation Award booth Hall 9.1 / A028 C029.

All participating products are displayed for the entire duration of the fair at the Innovation Award stand (Halle 9.1 / Stand A028 C029). In addition, all participants will be published in a special section of AIT after the fair.

Contact
Friederike Boy
AIT-Dialog | Gesellschaft für Knowhow-Transfer
in Architektur und Bauwesen mbH
Bei den Mühren 70
20457 Hamburg
Fon: +49 40 7070 898 – 18
E-Mail: innovationspreis@ait-online.de