KONE has been awarded four 2013 GOOD DESIGN awards for its design offering, functional elevator signalization series and sleek new elevator car design. This is the third time KONE has received this acknowledgement for its design excellence.
Founded in 1950, GOOD DESIGN is renowned as one of the oldest and most recognized design award programs in the world. The awards are given by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies to highlight the best new designs and design innovations for products and graphics that were created between 2010 and 2012.
“We are honored to have received these awards for our latest design innovations once again,” says Timo Tiainen, Director of Design at KONE. “KONE’s Design Offering proves that elevator design can be much more than just a sum of its ingredients. Combining elements in the right way allows us to create memorable experiences that complement the architect’s vision. The KONE signalization series represents solutions that combine the latest technology with clear features, resulting in sophisticated design and excellent user experience.”
KONE’s design offering features a collection of car interiors and different materials and accessories that can be combined freely and used in all elevator products. With trendy colors, materials, finishing and unique patterns, the elevators can complement the building’s architecture, providing enhanced functionality and accessibility at the same time.
The new elevator car’s lightweight horizontal panel construction is the result of a careful optimization and re-thinking of elevator car dimensions. The narrow, flushed panel conjoint is the cornerstone of the new design as it allows for a more simplified assembly and smaller installation crew.
The awarded KONE KSS 280 and KSS 800 signalization series bring novel design to elevators with their minimalistic and user-friendly design. The KSS 800 introduces easy-to-use destination control to the wider public and therefore improves traffic efficiency in buildings. Both series focus on accessibility and usability, which becomes obvious in the landing fixture with clear forms and large key buttons.
KONE has received two previous GOOD DESIGN awards; in 2008 for its innovative KONE FourSeasons(TM) concept and in 2009 for the sleek KONE Design signalization series. KONE has also been given two awards and two honorable mentions in the ‘red dot award: product design 2012’ competition. The awards were given for the elevator signalization series KSS 280 and KSS 800 and the honorable mentions for the KONE Design Collection and renewed elevator car.
Source: KONE
