2023

»The UX patterns counteract linear consumption and act as a template for conventional online retail. They focus on products retaining their (economic) value and therefore encourage the spread of circular products on the mass market.«

»The construction industry is one of the economy’s most resource-intensive sectors. One problem is the regional availability of secondary raw materials. N1 Trading GmbH’s digital material flow management software makes it easier for building owners and demolition companies to link up and therefore plays an important role in urban mining.«

»The Klimastein already saves resources at the manufacturing stage, but its exceptional planet friendly characteristics really come to the fore when it’s used. Its innovative design prevents any soil sealing. The paving stores water, allows excess water to seep away and later evaporate via capillary action. And, ultimately, it also really helps to cool down urban spaces.«

»GOLD plays with the characteristics of goldbeater’s skin, a tissue from a cow’s stomach. As an alternative to petroleum-based materials, this is a biodegradable, vegan and therefore highly attractive material. The specimen used to present it is a lightweight, water-repellent outdoor jacket, which is outstanding for its splendidly clear design. Gold is innovative, relevant, and well designed.«

»The panel of judges paid tribute to hansgrohe’s unwavering desire to be innovative by nominating its Planet Edition shower fitting for an award. The team in hansgrohe’s own lab has spent years trying to minimise water flow and have now got it down to approx. 6 L/minute. In the judges’ opinion, the use of recycled ABS and upcycled PET are brand-new options in the industry and quite a quantum leap.«

»Layers of Value is an example of sophisticated upcycling at a textile design level using a systematic finishing method. Textile waste and deadstock are given a REMAKE using a series of techniques involving layering. This approach is reproducible at scale and also offers a wide range of variety thanks to the ever-changing feedstock.«

»Mono Vest is part of a technical cycle, a closed loop system where all core feedstock is sourced locally from the same nylon family. The products are made in Germany and can be recycled later in an existing infrastructure.«

»Beyond the theory, the guidelines reflect on the whole design process using superb examples. They incorporate handling, aesthetics, and semantics and, above all, the user’s behavioural perspective, while taking environmental aspects into account. As a result, they make up for a lack of instructions on resource friendly design.«

»The project turns the spotlight on the less well-known issue of pre-consumer waste in textile production. It’s a superb illustration of how crucial the design phase is for resource-efficient recycling of textile waste. And it’s an important practical guide to minimum ecodesign requirements for textile products in the EU.«

»The Repair Rebels are a network of craft businesses that repair clothing and shoes. They combine contemporary online service with local players and sustainable action. Items are collected by bike, repaired, and returned a few days later. The practical website gives information on the service and the firms providing it. The message is clear: it’s better to repair or alter an item than recycle it.«

»Satino PureSoft is well-designed because it doesn't deny its origin: it is sand-colored because it is made from recycled cardboard. WEPA has succeeded in creating a soft, multi-layered hygiene paper from this raw material. According to the Federal Environment Agency, it is the biggest innovation in the paper segment in more than a decade.«

»Although it’s a student project, Wrap it up stands apart for its superior design and impressive user experience. The project shows that design’s cross-disciplinary nature predestines it to help solve the problem of a lack of recyclable materials and reduce the materials required. At the same time, it could also tackle design and handling from the user’s perspective.«