We are pleased to announce that HygroShape by ICD and hylo tech was a finalist in Fast Company's 2022 Innovation by Design Awards in the Housing and Materials category as well as a winner in the Experimental category. The Innovation by Design Awards, published in Fast Company's October 2022 issue, recognise designers and companies that are solving today's most important problems and anticipating tomorrow's pressing issues. Now, in its 11th year, the competition recognises a range of blue-chip companies, emerging startups and young talent. It is one of the most coveted design awards in the industry.
HygroShape is a first-of-its-kind concept for truly self-shaping furniture. Using the natural, intrinsic properties of wood, furniture pieces are produced in physically programmed flatpack configurations that are materially programmed to shape themselves when unpacked. This self-shaping emerges from the hygroscopic shrinkage that naturally occurs in wood materials. It happens effortlessly, in silence, without human interaction, tools, or assembly instructions, unfurling smoothly, as quickly as overnight.
The spin-off company hylo tech continues to explore the potential of this technology for a range of interior and structural applications.
Winners, finalists and honourable mentions are featured online and in the October issue of Fast Company magazine. The complete list is also available here.