The Henry van de Velde Awards are awarded by Flanders DC and are the most important design awards in Belgium. The categories focus on the value and impact of design on our economy, society but also on the climate. With the official award ceremony, exhibition and publication, the Henry van de Velde Awards are a real platform for Flemish Design.

The impact of Erik Sijmons is huge at Samsonite. He gave the brand form and provided innovation. An inhouse designer is often very invisible, but very serving. His work is highly appreciated with the jury so Erik is rewarded with the Lifetime Achievement Gold Award.

Niko celebrated its 100 year existence last year and has become one of the greatest players in Belgium in the market of switches and sockets. Niko has already invested more than 80 years in design with many inhouse designers and was chosen as Company Gold Award Winner.

Studio Plastique received the Young Talent Award. Studio Plastique focuses on fundamental research on sustainability. Their themes are socially relevant but they also look for other perspectives. Words like 'sensitive', 'aesthetically' and 'sophisticated' are recognizable in their work.

Wa can find the head office of Ecover in Belgium, but still the company has an international character. Ecover is part of an American consortium (Method) and this provides a good market penetration. The detergent represents sustainability and Ecover was the first brand on the market with refillable systems. Ecover celebrates her 40 years of existence this year.

The Business Innovation Gold Award Winner in is Barco Demtra. The jury complements the product as an innovative product with a good design. Barco Demtra was also tested and responds to the clinical conditions. With the digital and analogue images that can be taken, the product means progress in the world of dermatologists. 

Design: Verhaert. Client: Barco

The other two winners in this category are:

• The EMC, electronic measuring device for forest management (Yellow Window)
• Gymna PRO, stretcher (Yellow Window)

The Collaborative Gold Award goes to Oase. These sensorial spaces for people with a physical or mental disability really deserve an award, according to the jury, because of the warm collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of activity counselors, the expertise of Bailleul Ontwerpbureau and the experience with clients. Oase stands for sustainability and aesthetics and is completely adapted to the specific needs of the clients. 

Design: Bailleul Ontwerpbureau (Jelke Stoop, Thomas De Backer, Esmee Vanbeselaere, Nicolas Wybaillie, Joanna Kurdubelska). Client: Het GielsBos

The other two winners in this category are: 

• Tek-stiel, unique tote bags made of old fishnets (Studio Linde Hermans)
• IXZO, innovative learning platform (Knight Moves Designteam)

Pars Pro Toto came with an inclusive communication tool for young people with aphasia. Obstacles were solved in this new computer. Face to face communication with friends, family and supervisors becomes self-evident and effective. The Vibe also has an integrated camera so the user can capture moments and share them with others.  

Design: Pars Pro Toto. Client: Jabbla

The other two winners in this category are: 

• Zyzo, communication tool for elderly (Hybrio)
• Morrow, autofocal smart glasses (Achilles Design)

The Hey Jute cushion received the Crafts by Bokrijk Gold Award. Alexander Marinus developed a new craft method where there’s no chemical treatment required, in this way he created a high-end product. The Hey Jute cushion can be used inside and outside. 

Design: Alexander Marinus

The other two winners in this category are: 

• Twin Mirrors, conversation piece (Atelier Ben Storms)
• Lunair, standing wallight (Filip Janssens)

Sportkompas gives an answer to the question ‘Which sports fits my child?’. According to scientifically justified algorithms, the digital platform collects all the information and in this way the platform can show you the sports that fits you. The jury really appreciated the social relevance of this project and sees Sportkompas as an example for the digital community. 

Design: Studio Dott (Suzan Bijloo & Jonas Callewaert). Client: SportaMundi vzw, Sportamundi UGent met de steun van Sport Vlaanderen

The other two winners in this category are: 

• Woningpas, digital passport (Leap Forward)
• Toddler Zoo, educative puzzle game (Next Apps)

This campaign was led by 14 citizens who shared their vision for the flyover B401 in Gent. This project is focused on mobility, ecology and quality of life in the city. Portraits were unveiled as art works on the pillars of the viaduct, a bridge builders weekend was organised and videos were spread to share the future plans. 

Design: Heren Loebas (Stijn D'Hondt & Peter Van de Sijpe). Client: Stad Gent - dienst Stedelijke Vernieuwing

The other two winners in this category are: 

• Opera Flanders season 2018/2019 (Bureau Boschberg)
• Helblauw, book (Dear Reader)

The Light Machine is a design of lightning where the lamp can be placed in several ways and the light density can be adapted. For the jury, this is a completely finished and detailed product. The combination of sustainability and timeless design is definitely a Gold Award worthy. 

Design: RotorGroup (Bernard Rommens). Client: Re-Volt

The other two winners in this category are: 

• Touchswitch, touchdisplay lightswitch (Niko)
• The Waterbench, a rainwater collecting bench (Standaert Design)

Also the public could vote and help decide who should receive the last Gold Award this year. With 5891 votes, The Waterbench came out as the absolute favorite. Barbara Standaert started looking for an answer to the question: ‘ How can we restore natural processes and give back some green to our urbanized landscape?’. The Waterbench responds to this with its functions as bench, planter and rainwater tank. The subtle combination of functions awakens curiosity and social interaction. Green and water bring people together and let conversations start.

Design: Standaert Design (Barbara Standaert). Client: Ebema N.V.

The catalogue of the Henry van de Velde Awards offers an overview of all our winners. This bilingual (NL-EN) publication has 154 pages and was created by Geoffrey Brusatto. Order now a catalogue in our webshop for 10 euros.