ChillOUT Tree, our first modular shade system, has won a prestigious Good Design Award – at Gold level – for outstanding innovation in the Product Design, Commercial and Industrial category.
The award is shared by Street Furniture Australia with ChillOUT Hub collaborators – Georges River Council, UNSW and the University of Sydney – partners in prototyping, installing, testing and researching these smart outdoor community spaces as part of a pilot project for the federal Smart Social Spaces program.
The Good Design Awards are the highest honour for design and innovation in the country. Entries are evaluated by Australian and international Jurors – including designers, engineers, architects and thought leaders – according to a strict set of criteria including Good Design, Design Innovation and Design Impact.
Recognition at the Gold level means ChillOUT Tree exceeded the judging criteria.
The Good Design Awards Jury said: “The ChillOUT Tree is a great example of the benefits of collaborative effort and good research. From designers spending time in outdoor community areas, to referencing evidence-based university research and using full scale study models to consult with councils, the design delivers a well-considered shade structure for people to gather.
“Taking inspiration from real trees, the modular connecting roof struts mount to a single pole structure, that when installed in a group, can create a real place of gathering. Various shade types, varying heights, adaptable LED lighting and device charging are all easily serviceable and upgradeable. Congratulations.”
Dr. Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia and Chair of the Australian Good Design Awards said: “To be recognised with an Australian Good Design Award is a significant achievement, given the incredibly high standard of projects submitted in this year’s Awards. The Good Design Award is a valuable independent endorsement of professional design quality. It tells the world this project not only represents design excellence, but it also surpasses the criteria for design innovation and design impact.”
“We know that good design, when used effectively, can improve our quality of life and make the world around us better, safer, more efficient and more beautiful. It is clear from this year’s winning projects that investment in professional design delivers real impact – be it at a commercial, environmental or societal level. As our world transitions to a less-carbon intensive future, a design-led approach to solving problems and delivering meaningful impact is going to become more critical.”
Head of New Product Design with Street Furniture Australia, Francis McArdle, said: “Our team is delighted and humbled to receive this award – especially at Gold level – which is so highly respected and sought-after in the industrial design community.
“ChillOUT Tree breaks new ground in industrial design in a number of ways – through cross-sector collaboration, rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing and challenging what castings can do.
“The response to this product has been amazing, even exceeding expectations. We are excited to see where ChillOUT Tree can go and how it can help improve public spaces for communities.”
The 2022 Good Design Award ‘Tick’ trophy is made from one kilogram of compressed Australian post-consumer plastic, with an Australian-sourced extruded aluminium tick.
Prototypes tested since 2019 with partners Georges River Council, University of Sydney and UNSW.
Optional powered version includes LED lighting ring.
Optional powered version includes device charging.
Configures seamlessly with Street Furniture Australia seating, tables and planters. See technical sheet.
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