A' design award and competition 2019 winners announced!

2,437 winners from 106 countries have been announced for the A’ design award and competition 2019, the world’s largest and most diffused international design competition. the winners were carefully selected by a panel of renowned jury members, which is composed of established scholars, press members, design professionals and entrepreneurs. each year, the competition recognizes only the very best in design, and 2019 was no different. although spanning 98 different disciplines, designboom highlights just a small selection of the standout winning entries, below, from the furniture, decorative items and homeware design; building and structure design; lighting products and projects design; and interior space and exhibition design categories. to follow the full set of 2019 winners, please visit here.

the best projects, as well as their creators, are rewarded with the A’ design award, which is considered a symbol of excellence in design and innovation. this is divided into five different distinctions: platinum, gold, silver, bronze and iron. laureates also receive a highly coveted and comprehensive winners’ kit, which includes a trophy, certificate and book, as well as both PR and marketing services. last but certainly not least, winners are invited to attend a gala-night and award ceremony in italy that offers a perfect opportunity for networking.

villa AT house by todd saunders
image credit bent rené synnevåg

name: villa AT

architect: todd saunders

award: platinum

category: building and structure design

located on a high podium with wraparound terraces, the ‘villa AT’ house by todd saunders emphasizes a strong connection to landscape. an L-shaped floor plan defines a long curved glass façade that offers astounding views of the natural surroundings. the exterior is then clad with thin timbers that hug the building’s gentle curves.

bandage by bogdanova bureau
images by elena prokhorova, bogdanova bureau, 2019

name: bandage

designer: bogdanova bureau

award: platinum

category: furniture, decorative items and homeware design

designed for both commercial and private residences, the ‘bandage’ sofa by bogdanova bureau delivers comfort with perfect pillow arrangement. it enhances a bandage-like system from a cloth elastic tape that then allows users to fix pillows in the desired position. defined by soft curving lines, the sofa’s band wraps around the middle of its backrests.

leaf pendant light by daniel mato
image credit loomiosa ltd

name: leaf

designer: daniel mato

award: platinum

category: lighting products and projects design

influenced by the shape of palm leaves specifically, the ‘leaf’ pendant light by daniel mato distinguishes a different impression from every viewing angle. the design aims to be a standout element within any interior, in terms of both its light source and sculptural form. its elongated shape is crafted from anodized aluminum poles that are fixed in a 3D-printed holder.

bo du resort hotel design by zhang can – CSD design office
image credit wang ting

name: bo du resort

designer: zhang can – CSD design office

award: platinum

category: interior space and exhibition design

as a place to meditate close to nature, the ‘bo du resort’ by zhang can of CSD design office is placed in tengchong in the scenic yunnan province of china. the restaurant and cafe and tea room offer expansive views of the surrounding nature thanks to large glass vistas. continuing to offer spectacular views, the rooms – built with exposed wood – are dominated by warm colors that help evoke a feeling of comfort alongside its hanging fireplace.

nascimento chapel by miguel pinto guimaraes
image credit photographer leonardo finotti

name: nascimento chapel 

architect: miguel pinto guimaraes

award: gold

category: building and structure design

inspired by brazilian architectural and artistic movements, the ‘nascimento chapel’ by miguel pinto guimaraes merges influences from colonial architecture, the baroque movement and also modernism. starting with a wooden bridge, the private chapel proceeds to hover over an artificial lake, which mirror the construction with its reflection. at its end, a glass box defines the enclosed space, before being surrounded itself by 25 rectangular steel frames.

goccia by d-lab studio di giuliano ricciardi
photographer giuliano ricciardi, goccia, 2015

name: goccia

designer: d-lab studio di giuliano ricciardi

award: gold

category: furniture, decorative items and homeware design

just like the water drop that inspires its shape, ‘goccia’ by d-lab studio di giuliano ricciardi is a series of containers that are suspended in mid-air. its ceramic material ensures the designs are suited to various purposes, both indoors and out. each one is equipped with a warm white LED that diffuses soft light within the hollow form. the largest of the three sizes is encased by a ring of oak that can be used as small surface.

linear flora lantern installation by ray teng pai
image credit ray teng pai, 2018

name: linear flora lantern

designer: ray teng pai

award: gold

category: lighting products and projects design

to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the annual taiwan lanern festival, the ‘linear flora lantern’ installation by ray teng pai is an unconventional and transformational interpretation of the tradition. inspired by the mathematic nature of the bougainvillea flower, the installation is focused on the number sequence of the plant’s growth: three. 396 tubes of cable-suspended aluminum constantly change in color but always in triplets and in symmetry.

TMB tea mixture bar tubes by micheal lam
image credit micheal lam, 2018

name: TMB tea mixture bar tubes

designer: micheal lam

award: gold

category: interior space and exhibition design

starting from the ceiling, micheal lam created waves of countless tubes that cascade towards the floor of the TMB tea mixture bar. the rhythm of tubes flows over three different functions within the shop: outside display, dining and bar, and art and product presentation. created from metal, white acrylic and transparent acrylic, the tubes for the interior sculpture hopes to connect the fields of art and tea products.

the spiral DNA multifunctional exhibition by nelson tam
image credit RUIJING photography

name: spiral DNA multifunctional exhibition

architect: nelson tam

award: silver

category: building and structure design

taking the form of the ‘source of life’ double-helix DNA, the ‘spiral DNA’ by nelson tam is an exhibition center within the zhengzhou airport biomedical park. metal louvers line the exterior from the waterscape below all the way up to the roof platform. inside, spiral ramps circle the large atrium to revolve upwards whilst showcasing a trail of displays.

shell by alter ego studio
image credit natalia komarova, 2018

name: shell

designer: nikita nekhoroshev of alter ego studio

award: silver

category: furniture, decorative items and homeware design

enhancing exoskeleton technology, the ‘shell’ sofa by alter ego studio evokes an optical illusion that ensures the furniture seems much more light and airy. in the shape of a sea shell, the design uses a web of nylon ropes to help form its wired structure along with a lightweight metal construction. this frame contrasts with the hard impressions of its cushions, which deliver its true function and comfort.

incorporating the beauty of nature lighting project by li kai chun
image credit joseph sy , 2018

name: incorporating the beauty of nature

designer: li kai chun

award: silver

category: lighting products and projects design

to evoke the image of a waterfall, the ‘incorporating the beauty of nature’ project by li kai chun is bathed in a sheer blue curtain of blue light that contrasts dramatically with the shenzhen-based building’s construction materials of steel marble and dark wood. the design consists of two layers of floor-to-ceiling glass with a sky blue light and white curtain in the middle that mirrors the image of falling water.

villa A residential house by santa meikulane
image credit maris locmelis

name: villa A residential house

designer: santa meikulane

award: silver

category: interior space and exhibition design

the ‘villa A’ holiday home by santa meikulane in latvia recognizes its unique valley location by spanning across various levels. inside, the interior pairs rough concrete with extensive glazing that ensures views of the surrounding landscape from all angles. natural oak surfaces then line the floors to provide an added sense of cosiness.

old palapye museum historic building preservation, museum by beullah serema
image credit noua pty ltd., 2019

name: old palapye museum

architect: beullah serema

award: bronze

category: building and structure design

located in botswana, beullah serema conceptualizes the ‘old palapye museum’ to catalogue and communicate the rich history of the 19th century capital of the bangwato tribe. the design is fashioned within the burnt brick church ruins that stand on the site. the old structure aims to be rebuilt using modern materials like a steel framework and glass roof in order to reach its original height and form.

piilo by hanna lantto studio
image credit anna lantto, 2018

name: piilo

designer: hanna lantto studio

award: bronze

category: furniture, decorative items and homeware design

subtlety is at the core of the ‘piilo’ multi-functional stool by hanna lantto studio. as homes become smaller, the designer imagined a simple furniture solution that can also double as a storage space. made from light birch, the top of the boldly colored seat can be removed to reveal a place to hold small items.

coral heart installation art by sammy liu – golden eagle
image credit sammy liu, coral heart, 2019

name: coral heart

designer: sammy liu – golden eagle

award: bronze

category: lighting products and projects design

alarmed by the harm caused to coral, which is fundamental to marine life, sammy liu created the ‘coral heart’ installation art to promote harmony between people and nature. the bleached coral construction gradually becomes active at night and whilst interacting with visitors. its lights transform in intensity, duration and color depending on the use of its interactive buttons.

future – future panasonic 100th anniversary by inception cultural & creative co., ltd
image credit inception cultural & creative co., ltd, 2018

name: future panasonic 100th anniversary

designer: inception cultural & creative co., ltd

award: bronze

category: interior space and exhibition design

for panasonic’s 100th anniversary, inception’s exhibition conveys the brand’s philosophy that aims to connect humanity, technology, sustainability for the future. 12 circular areas – defined as white tent-like structures – explored potential solutions to six major issues of the world: food, manufacturing, communication, environmental, health and logistics

veloso residential compound by samer chamoun architecture
image credit nuno pirez

name: veloso residential compound

architect: samer chamoun architecture

award: iron

category: building and structure design

proposing a 33-unit residential compound in nacala, mozambique, the ‘veloso’ by samer chamoun architecture aimed to overcome its geolocation constraints with a prefabricated modular system. consisting of three different house variations, the design’s layout was curated to allow undisturbed sea views from every unit while also preserving privacy. with light steel frame construction, the prefab housing was transported to the remote location before being assembled by unskilled labor.

bamboo by C-HEE
image credit HEESEUNG CHAE, 2018

name: bamboo

designer: C-HEE

award: iron

category: furniture, decorative items and homeware design

comprising wall and free-standing versions, the ‘bamboo’ bookcases by C-HEE is defined by the slim shape of its namesake material. the design removes all unnecessary details to consist of just a few minimal lines. once items have been stacked, they then appear to float as the bamboo construction disappears behind them.

milk multifunctional light by gaku takasu

name: milk

designer: gaku takasu

award: iron

category: lighting products and projects design

for the ‘milk’ light, designer gaku takasu used the relatively easy to mold material of stainless steel mesh to re-create the standard shape of a milk carton. as light passes through the lamp shade, the mesh defines unique shadows in all directions. the design can be used as a ceiling, wall or even floor light.

sunrise interior experience by vulca studio
image credit nydia cavazos

name: sunrise interior experience

designer: vulca studio

award: iron

category: interior space and exhibition design

inspired by a street market, the ‘sunrise interior experience’ by vulca studio conceptualizes smalls stores within a shop. each area can become its own distinguished element but, overall, helps form an ever-evolving ecosystem of stores. the color palette reflects the sunrise in the hope to emulate relaxing and fulfilling experiences with shoppers.

—

with the 2019 edition concluded, entries into the A’ design award and competition is now open. interested designers, artists, architects, companies and entrepreneurs alike can register and submit their work, here.