· The Latvian company “Carbon Less Future” received an award in the “Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses” category for its tree-growing solution CLF Growth Containers, which allows trees to grow regardless of climatic conditions.
· The German company “WATERROWER/NOHRD” received an industry award for its NOHRD StepTower product, which combines fitness with functionality.
· French visionary Philippe Starck received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout his career, he has made great efforts to make design more accessible to everyone.
· Polish designer Maria Gil received the “Next Generation Design” award for her new interpretations of everyday objects.
· In the first public vote, the “Public Choice Award”, which was included in the 10th-anniversary programme, the design of the Spanish Showee was highlighted — a smart shower adapted to the user's needs. It became the public's favourite design.
Today in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, in honour of European design and innovation, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) announced the winners of the industry's main design awards, the DesignEuropa Awards 2026.
This year's winners included designers from Latvia, France, Germany, Poland, and Spain – reflecting the diversity of European design and covering environmental solutions, fitness and well-being, young talent, and lifetime contributions to the development of design.
The awards ceremony marked the 10th anniversary of the European Design Awards. It brought together designers, companies, and intellectual property experts from across Europe and beyond to celebrate inspiring designs that improve everyday life and foster economic and social progress.
EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão stated: “Great design has the power to change how we live, work, and perceive the world around us. For ten years, the DesignEuropa Awards have honoured the creativity and vision of European design — from the next generation of design talent to world-famous figures such as Philippe Starck. By recognising and protecting these achievements, we help ensure that European design continues to innovate, create added value, and build a more sustainable and competitive future.”
Director of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office Karin Žvokelj, who was involved in organising this year's awards, added: “We were delighted to host the “DesignEuropa Awards” ceremony in Ljubljana and to see European creativity in all its splendour: excellent, innovative products created to drive change. When great design is protected, it becomes a valuable business asset — one that creates added value and strengthens competitiveness. I hope the stories of this year's winners will encourage more companies in Slovenia and across Europe to recognise the value of their designs and protect what makes their products unique.”
The Latvian company Carbon Less Future received the Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Award for its innovative tree-growing solution CLF Growth Containers. This is a modular tree-growing system designed to help trees grow in optimal conditions, raise awareness of environmental issues, and promote public engagement. As designers Aivis Garais and Aigars Jacuks note: “Our motto is to grow forests in cities. You could even send it to the Moon, and trees would still grow in it.”
The industry award was presented to the NOHRD StepTower, developed by the German manufacturer WATERROWER/NOHRD. NOHRD StepTower is designed to solve the problem of incorporating exercise into modern living spaces and combines several training options into one compact and elegant piece of furniture. The company's CEO Dominik Kuprecht explained: “We realised that wood as a base material for fitness equipment can be something very special. We don't want fitness equipment to disappear into the basement, because then nobody sees it.”
The 2026 awards also introduced the Public Choice Award for the first time, allowing the public to select their favourite design through an online vote. The winner of this category was Showee, created by the Spanish company Showee Smart Wellness. This shower is designed to provide a safer and more independent experience for people with limited mobility or those who need assistance while bathing, adapting to their needs and automating some of these steps. As the company's founders Eloi Mirambell and Eric Güell Soler point out: “We wanted to give people back their autonomy and privacy, so they could once again enjoy their time in the bathroom.”
Lifetime Achievement Award for Philippe Starck (Philippe Starck)
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to one of the most influential contemporary designers in the world, Philippe Starck. From legendary items such as the Juicy Salif juicer and the Louis Ghost chair to everyday objects used by millions of people, as well as his work in architecture, mobility, and technology, P. Starck has continuously pushed the boundaries of design.
P. Starck, a pioneer of the “democratic design” concept, believes that all creation must be done in a way that improves the lives of the greatest number of people possible. As he puts it: “If you have the honour and good fortune to come up with a good idea, it is your duty to share it with as many people as possible.”
Next Generation Design Award: to Maria Gil
Polish designer Maria Gil received the Next Generation Design Award, which recognises the creativity and talent of young European designers.
At only 24 years old, M. Gil transforms everyday objects into works that challenge traditional norms. Her works include Post War Drobe, a wardrobe that offers a new perspective on the history of Polish design; sculptural lights Multiplight and Fan; and the All-Seeing Chair, created for a fashion brand.
Her design works have been exhibited at international exhibitions in London, New York, and Milan, and have also been published in magazines such as Vogue and the Financial Times. Speaking about the award, Gil said: “This is a significant confirmation that there is space, recognition, and demand for the type of design I am involved in. It is encouraging that experimentation and innovation are valued and in demand.”
The 2026 European Design Awards competition registered a record number of participants — more than 1,600 candidates from 52 countries. A professional jury evaluated the originality, functionality, aesthetic value, and sustainability of the designs.