"Cleverly engineered" Faneeri folding chair wins design project of the year at Dezeen Awards 2024

Faneeri folding chair won Dezeen Awards 2024 design project of the year following the announcement of all 11 design category winners at the Dezeen Awards 2024 party in London.

The 11 winners awarded in Dezeen's annual awards programme include designs by Flos, Kirkby Design, Humanscale and Pentagram.

Faneeri folding chair crowned design project of the year

Faneeri folding chair by Forsman Design for Nikari won the prestigious design project of the year award and was also named seating design of the year.

According to the design master jury, the Faneeri chair showcases "an honest piece of furniture design."

"It is cleverly engineered and thoughtfully crafted and has achieved something different with an established typology," they said.

"It’s timeless yet not boring, and pleasing for all ages. It is a product that doesn’t shout for your attention in an age of constant noise."

The minimalist seat was up against designs that included a seat clad in hand-stitched bark, a flashlight assembly kit for refugee children and a series of geometric colourful covers depicting real-life architecture.

View the winning design projects on the Dezeen Awards website or read below:

Design project of the year and seating design of the year: Faneeri folding chair by Forsman Design for Nikari

The winning design project of the year was a minimalist lacquered oak folding chair by Jonas Forsman for Finnish brand Nikari.

The ultra-slim veneer backrest and seat combines comfort with a lightweight design and can be used within small homes and large contract spaces.

"The timber construction achieves strength from its form but in the most delicate of ways," said the master jury.

"We were drawn to the restraint of this chair yet impressed by the highly technical yet minimal use of materials that enables the folding chair’s backrest to morph from flat when stored to an elegant, curved and supportive design when opened."

Read more about Faneeri folding chair by Forsman Design for Nikari › 

Furniture design of the year: Formwork by Gini Moynier

A collection of upcycled furniture made from spruce and oak by Swiss-based multidisciplinary design office Gini Moynier won furniture design of the year.

Formwork, which consists of a wall-mounted shelf, a chair, and side table, uses recovered wooden planks from the construction industry in an attempt to reduce consumption and waste of local wood.

"The Formwork collection uses scrap timber without looking inferior, resulting in a refined and visually-peaceful design," said the master jury.

"Rather than being discarded or burned, the collection gives prolonged value to the material and questions the corrupted idea that scrap is somehow less worthy."

Read more about Formwork by Gini Moynier ›

Highly commended: Forestrest by Sarina for Yihu 

Mongolian designer Sarina was highly commenced for her duo of stools clad in pale birch tree bark for Yihu.

Referencing Mongolian craft, the designer clad the seats with hand-stitched bark pieces resulting in a characterful scalloped, wavy detailing between the joints.

The design master jury commended the designer for her "conviction to keep the craft alive."

"We were attracted to the intriguing and intricate surface patterning of this collection and the fact that waning local and indigenous crafts from a remote region of Northern China were applied to a contemporary design."

Read more about Forestrest by Sarina for Yihu ›

Lighting design of the year: Bilboquet by Philippe Malouin for Flos

Canadian designer Philippe Malouin won lighting design of the year for Bilboquet, an adjustable two-cylinder table lamp.

In collaboration with Flos, the lamp connects two cylinders by a magnetic sphere allowing the upper cylinder to rotate, directing the flow of light.

"There is something very pleasing about this design," said the design master jury.

"Its versatility as a light is achieved with a minimal number of component parts. It’s at once familiar yet entirely contemporary and extremely satisfying to use."

Read more about Bilboquet by Philippe Malouin for Flos ›

Architectural lighting design of the year: Artifact Bar by Light Origin Studio and NC Design & Architecture

A speakeasy bar hidden in central Hong Kong won architectural lighting design of the year.

Combining architectural and immersive lighting inspired by "underground cisterns," the bar offers a theatrical experience for guests.

"Otherworldly – the lighting scheme gives this bar interior a painterly quality yet was also born out of the physical restraints on the site," said the jury.

"The light sources are hidden which gives the project a futuristic sense of escapism in the room."

Read more about Artifact Bar by Light Origin Studio and NC Design & Architecture ›

Surface design of the year: Breathable Walls by Makhno Studio

Ukrainian practice Makhno Studio won surface design of the year for its clay eco-panels made from natural ingredients.

Made primarily from clay, the Breathable Wall panels can be easily mounted onto walls for insulation or decoration. The panels also contain flax, barley, sesame, linden, nettle, lemon balm, musk, coffee cake and wood shavings.

The judges said, "this surface material brings a natural and breathable finish to a space, reviving old techniques in a contemporary and commercial way. This sustainable material brings warmth and tactility to a space."

Read more about Breathable Walls by Makhno Studio ›

Textile design of the year: Aloe by Kirkby Design

A sustainable sheer textile collection made from aloe vera by Nottinghamshire-based Kirkby Design won textile design of the year.

Using a combination of aloe vera and organic cotton, the fabric grows without the need for chemicals, fertilisers, or additional watering. The tactile fabric allows light to filter through, whilst providing a minimal block of colour.

"The inclusion of aloe fibres in this textile provides a less harmful alternative to existing cotton options on the market," said the master jury.

"The fibres have potentially broad and scalable applications that could disrupt the established cotton market."

Read more about Aloe by Kirkby Design ›

Workplace design of the year: Nova by Humanscale 

A multi-functional desk lamp designed by furniture brand Humanscale won workplace design of the year.

Designed to eliminate glare using a multi-layer light guide, Nova combines advanced technology, modern design and thoughtful engineering to provide an even light source ideal for video calling.

"This lamp is a very technical product but with a quiet, pleasingly neutral appearance," said the master jury.

"The lamp’s details are resolved and it contains an excellent mechanism to ensure the smooth movement of its position," they continued. "It's versatile to any space without being overdesigned."

Read more about Nova by Humanscale ›

Product design (consumer and wearables) of the year: Ambessa Play Flashlight by Pentagram

A flashlight assembly kit for refugee children by design studio Pentagram and social enterprise Ambessa Play won product design (consumer and wearables) of the year.

Operating on a battery-free wind-up mechanism, the colourful flashlight has been designed to make assembly easy for children whilst teaching them about science and electricity.

Described by the master jury as "an amazing tool for children," for every flashlight purchased another will be delivered to a displaced child.

"This product is educational, functional, easy to use, repairable, standalone and doesn’t require accessories," said the master jury.

"There’s a social story too as each purchase also funds the donation of a torch to a crisis-affected community."

Read more about Ambessa Play Flashlight by Pentagram ›

Product design (health and wellbeing) of the year: Kiwi by The Pelvic People

A multipurpose vibrator by The Pelvic People won product design (health and wellbeing) of the year.

Using a waved surface, Kiwi uses two vibrating motors to help increase circulation and stimulation to alleviate aches and pain.

"This product introduces a solution to a medical condition that many people are unaware of," said the judges.

"The nicely-packaged object is approachable and non-aggressive and helps to destigmatise a sensitive topic."

Read more about Kiwi by The Pelvic People ›

Graphic design of the year: Journal of Architecture and Building Science by Spread

A series of geometric colourful covers designed by Tokyo-based studio Spread for Japan's Journal of Architecture and Building Science won graphic design of the year.

Depicting real-life architecture, Spread photographed three-dimensional objects using mirrors to create playful reflections in colourful settings.

The master jury described the covers as "refreshingly bright and appealing to readers" with the graphics reflecting the significance of architecture in society.

"This magazine design embraces a strong graphic position with eye-catching visuals, punchy colours, and confident use of words," they continued.

Read more about Journal of Architecture and Building Science by Spread ›

Installation design of the year: A Pavilion for Swell of Spæcies by Una /Unless

A wedge-shaped temporary pavilion designed by Italian architecture studio Una/Unless won installation design of the year.

The triangular blue prism takes inspiration from the symmetric Renaissance forms of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia in which the pavilion sits.

The master jury said the daring 350 square metre structure felt "unexpected, futuristic, and even alien."

"This is an intriguing structure that lures the visitors in," they continued. "It provides a direct statement in the courtyard space and contracts between two different vernaculars - that of the old and the new."

Read more about a Pavilion for Swell of Spæcies by Una /Unless ›

Dezeen Awards 2024 in partnership with Bentley

Dezeen Awards is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The seventh edition of the annual awards programme is in partnership with Bentley as part of a wider collaboration to inspire, support and champion design excellence and showcase innovation that creates a better and more sustainable world. This ambition complements Bentley's architecture and design business initiatives, including the Bentley Home range of furnishings and real estate projects around the world.

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