Welcome to the Wallpaper* Smart Space Awards 2022, where we announce the winners of our second annual exploration of the rapidly changing worlds of new home technologies. This year, we were honored to be joined by Kim Colin of Industrial Facility, and Rossana Hu and Lyndon Neri of Neri & Hu as judges, overseeing a wide range of devices, gadgets, household appliances, etc.
These awards are a welcome opportunity to see what’s new and coming in the world of product design, exploring both innovative ideas and updated approaches, with an eye on products that will go the distance and will provide good service and lasting enjoyment.
Wallpaper* Smart Space Awards 2022: the winners
FOOD, DRINK AND DESIGN
Sinonimo Essentials Coffee Tools by Sinonimo
Image courtesy of Sinonimo
This deliciously simple set of espresso making tools was created by San Francisco-based Sinonimo and made in Taiwan. The neatly stackable set is formed from solid aluminum clad in textured hybrid oak and cork, and was explicitly intended to emphasize the ritual and pleasure of the coffee-making process. The company has even thought about things like the sound each material makes when floors are mined, and the level of quality ensures these utensils will last a lifetime, whether at home or in the studio.
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Lick Palette 05: Maximalist Brights by Yinka Ilori x Lick
Reflection 01. Image courtesy of Lick
Acclaimed artist Yinka Ilori has teamed up with British interior design brand Lick to create a dazzling range of paints and wallpapers. Ilori’s polychromatic powers are well known and his collaboration with Lick taps into the dynamism of his art and installations. The Palette 05: The Maximalist Brights collection features five colors and two geometric wallpaper prints, all designed to work together in a bold and endlessly refreshing way.
lick.com
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Kohler x Daniel Arsham
Our second award-winning collaboration paired contemporary American artist Daniel Arsham with Kohler. The result was Rock.01, a remarkably sculptural 3D printed sink. Kohler, who has nearly a century and a half of stone-making experience, worked with Arsham to create this limited-edition piece. Presented at Design Miami 2021, Rock.01 marks the beginning of an ongoing partnership between the artist and the American manufacturer.
MOST MASTER MUSIC DEVICE
Cell Alpha by Syng
Image courtesy of Syng
We were all won over by the aesthetics of Syng’s Cell Alpha speaker. A bold and bold piece of industrial design, the Circular Cell Alpha uses sensors to measure your room and shape the sound field accordingly. Ideally used in open-plan rooms where you can maximize the feeling of space, Cell Alpha can be floor standing, wall mounted or even suspended from the ceiling. “The product makes me want to listen,” says Industrial Facility judge Kim Colin, who picked the Cell Alpha as one of his favorite entries at the 2022 Wallpaper* Smart Space Awards, “because it seems like Syng know something about how the future could be better!’
LIFE ENHANCING OBJECT OR SERVICE
A Space for Prayer Rugs by Katsuki Connection
Image courtesy of Katsuki Connection
Katsuki Connection’s new rug collection attracted our Life-Enhancing Object category, thanks to the rich combination of handcrafted techniques and bold colorways. “A Space for Prayer” is a design that evokes the traditional art of brushed ink on washi paper, with the changing range of textures meant to trigger sensory cues. The colorful rugs also allude to the art of origami, and the entire collection is fully customizable in terms of size and thickness. 2022 Wallpaper* Smart Space Awards judge Rossana Hu praised the company for taking “a traditionally boring, one-piece product and hijacking its visual playfulness to provide a culturally-inspired aesthetic that enhances its function.”
THE MOST ELEGANT HI-FI COMPONENT
Flush Mount for Sonos Soundbar by Wall-Smart
Image courtesy of Wall-Smart
One of our two winning Hi-Fi components worked with a market leader to transform the way their product was used. Wall-Smart’s Sonos soundbar flush mount wall mounts offer a simple and straightforward alternative to the standard. Able to be changed to a number of different wall finishes, the carefully shaped bracket allows you to seamlessly integrate Sonos’ award-winning streaming technology into your space.
THE MOST ELEGANT HI-FI COMPONENT
Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Turntable
Image courtesy of Alva
A sleek and minimal way to get back to vinyl, the Alva TT V2 wowed our judges with its no-frills aesthetic and wireless capability. Cambridge Audio has paired a quality cartridge, tonearm and platter with the convenience of Bluetooth streaming.
MOST IMMERSIVE BRAND HOUSE
Polestar Spaces
Image courtesy of Polestar
Polestar pushed the boat out with its retail design spaces. From the start, this offshoot of Volvo’s automotive division was determined to do things differently, whether in the design of its cars, the use of materials or the way it goes about sell things. Rather than relying on conventional showrooms, the Swedish company is creating a series of “Polestar spaces” to inform and educate potential customers – all of whom will complete their online ordering experience. The spaces are simple and minimalist, with an emphasis on the design of the car’s finishes, materials and components.
THE BRIGHTEST LIGHTING
‘Echo’ table lamp by Caussa
Image courtesy of Caussa
Caussa’s ‘Echo’ table lamp series impressed with its ability to work seamlessly in the home and office. Designed by Simon Busse, the base of the lamp was informed by the shape of a tuning fork, creating a narrow loop-like track to hold the adjustable circular lamp head. Offered in black, white, red and blue, ‘Echo’ is crafted from powder coated aluminum and acrylic glass and can easily transition from formal to informal.
THE MOST WONDERFUL LAPTOP
Charge 5 by Fitbit
Image courtesy of Fitbit
The Charge 5 proved that Fitbit’s focus on dedicated trackers was a smart move. Far less bulky than even the slimmest smartwatch, the Charge 5 packs just about every level of functionality packed into its slim band. Fitbit’s holistic approach to all facets of wellness metrics has been extended further with the addition of high and low heart rate monitoring, as well as a special sensor that monitors your stress levels. Built-in GPS, exercise modes and sleep tracking all come standard, wrapped in a recyclable aluminum casing.
BEST SUSTAINABLE STEP FORWARD
Grohe Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold Level range
Image courtesy of Grohe
Grohe’s first attempt to bring design circularity to market struck a chord with our judges. The German manufacturer has revisited four of its best-selling products to ensure they meet the rigorous certified gold level of the Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute. As a result, key products such as the Grohe Eurosmart basin mixer and the Grohe BauEdge mixer, as well as hand showers and fittings, are now manufactured in such a way that their basic materials can be recycled and reused over and over again. All four also benefit from Grohe’s EcoJoy water-saving technology.
SMARTEST HOME APPLIANCE
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum by Roborock
Image courtesy of Roborock
Our national future looks cleaner and cleaner. Our panel was impressed with Roborock’s S7 MaxV Ultra robot vacuum, which combines the usual sweeping mode with the ability to mop, giving this puck-like device the ability to switch between surfaces and scrub as well as clean. ‘strive. With a charging station capable of storing seven weeks worth of dirt, this little machine is built to start and forget.
SMARTEST HOME APPLIANCE
JetBot AI+ by Samsung
Image courtesy of Samsung
Samsung’s Jet Bot AI+ eliminates the daily drudgery of dusting with the addition of a 3D sensor and AI mapping to increase the accuracy of its navigation and cleaning speed. Unlike some of its rivals, the Jet Bot adopts a more overt sci-fi aesthetic, with clean white lines and an on-board camera that can stream footage to your smartphone for home security checks.
SMARTEST HOME APPLIANCE
Surface Hypertouch by Iris Ceramica Group
Image courtesy of Iris Ceramica
Iris Ceramica developed Hypertouch to give the smart home a more seamless aesthetic. A capacitive switching system, it is limited only by the designer’s imagination and can be integrated into any wide variety of material finishes from the Italian ceramic specialist. The end result is a completely smooth control surface that is indistinguishable from its surroundings, allowing the operation of lighting, heating, air conditioning and audiovisual equipment to be almost invisible.
THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY TRANSPORT
Friend of Citroën
Image courtesy of Citroën
Citroën hit it big with its electric Ami, a city car that debuted as a concept, took Paris by storm and now looks set to do the same in the UK. The imminent arrival of Ami 100% Ëlectric will be a rare opportunity to savor what the French already know; purpose-built urban electric vehicles make much more sense in crowded European city centers. The 46-mile range and 28mph top speed are all you need for small jumps, and the micro car’s footprint doesn’t take up more space than it should. A delivery van version is also available; all designs share a commitment to recyclability and low impact.
MOST-WATCHED TV
The Samsung Sero
Image courtesy of Samsung
Samsung’s Sero TV turns convention upside down by responding to the inexorable and unstoppable rise of vertically formatted content. Sero is a high-quality 4K QLED display capable of streaming conventional TV and cinema content in stunning resolution. Pair it with your smartphone, however, and the display rotates 90 degrees to match exactly what you see on screen. This vertical mode is also great for minimizing the TV’s presence in your life when it’s not needed.
THE SMARTEST LUGGAGE
The Carry-on Pro by Carl Friedrik
Image courtesy of Carl Friedrik
Carl Friedrik’s latest foray into adorable luggage is the Carry-on Pro, which combines a hard shell front pocket for peace of mind for laptops and tablets, an aluminum frame and an ultra-ribbed polycarbonate shell. -lightweight, making it one of the best carry bags. around. The vintage look is enhanced by Italian leather details in a choice of three rich colors (cognac, chocolate or black) and there are four quiet casters that won’t draw unwanted attention on your treks through the terminal.
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