On Tuesday, 22 September, the European Union Intellectual Property Office presented the DesignEuropa Awards in Ljubljana. In the Entrepreneurs and Small Companies category, the award was presented to the Latvian company Carbon Less Future.
The company’s product, CLF Growth Container, is a modular, decentralised system designed to support local tree cultivation. It provides controlled growing conditions regardless of external climate conditions, while also promoting environmental awareness and public engagement. The creators of the product are Aivis Garais and Aigars Jačuks.
Aivis Garais and Aigars Jačuks commented: “Our motto is to grow forests in cities. You can send our Container to the Moon, and trees would still grow in it.”
In the Industry category, the award went to the Ferman company WATERROWER | NOHRD. The company’s team developed the NOHRD StepTower, a multifunctional home fitness system designed for a wide range of exercises. It combines strength, cardio and mobility training elements within a single high-quality wooden structure.
The Next Generation Design Award was presented to young Polish designer Maria Gilfor her innovative reinterpretation of everyday objects.
The 2026 Awards also introduced the Public Choice Award for the first time, allowing people to vote online for their favourite design. The winner in this category was Showee, a shower system developed by the Spanish company Showee Smart Wellness. The shower has been designed to provide a safer and more independent experience for people with reduced mobility or those who require assistance while bathing, adapting to users’ needs and automating certain aspects of the process. As the company’s founders, Eloi Mirambell and Eric Güell Soler, explained: “We wanted to give people back their autonomy and privacy, so that they can enjoy again their bathroom time.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Philippe Starck, widely regarded as one of the most influential contemporary designers in the world. From legendary creations such as the Juicy Salif citrus squeezer and the Louis Ghost chair to everyday products used by millions of people, as well as his work in architecture, mobility and technology, Starck has consistently pushed the boundaries of design. A pioneer of the concept of “democratic design”, Starck believes that all forms of creation should be aimed at improving the lives of as many people as possible. In his own words: “If you have the honour and the luck of a good idea, you have a duty to share it with the most possible people you can.”
The DesignEuropa Awards 2026 attracted a record number of entries, with more than 1,600 candidates from 52 countries taking part. An expert jury assessed the submitted designs on the basis of their originality, functionality, aesthetic value and sustainability.
The next DesignEuropa Awards ceremony will take place in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, in autumn 2027.