Tech and environmental sustainability projects emerge as winners in European Design Awards

A record player, a yacht, a shelf, and a high-tech hospital bed were all among designs honoured at the 2024 Design Europa Awards yesterday (25 September) for their creativity and innovation, but also management of environmental impact. 

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) backed award - held in a different member state each year - was broadcast live from the National Library of Riga.

Nominees were divided into four categories, recognising large and medium-sized companies, entrepreneurs and SMEs, young talent under 30, and a lifetime achievement award. Environmental sustainability been considered as a criterion for judging the projects since 2021, coinciding with the European Commission’s launch of its Green Deal strategy. 

Päivi Tahkokallio, a jury member who chaired the panel in 2021, was behind the introduction of the environmental criterion in the competition. "There was a sense of urgency to find solutions to mitigate climate ... sustainability needs to go hand in hand with intellectual property rights protection," she told Euronews. The criterion is now a permanent fixture of the event, but she pointed out the challenges in evaluating sustainability, as it can manifest in various ways. 

Many of this year’s finalists chose to focus on the longevity of their products, opposing hyper-consumerism and planned obsolescence. They offered reparable items adaptable to changing tastes. The SMEs and Entrepreneurs category winner went a step further. The Transparent Turntable, created by a Swedish company, impressed the jury with its easy-to-upgrade components, allowing for new technologies to be incorporated. It also stood out for its use of recycled and recyclable materials, while delivering high tech