Glamour and Style at Thursday’s World Design Capital Gala

On Thursday, 2 February, the World Design Capital gala brought together a global design audience to witness the presentation of three major design awards.

The well-attended event celebrated the award of the World Design Impact Prize, the Alvar Aalto Medal and the Estlander Prize. The gala was held at the beautiful Sibelius Hall in Lahti. Read more about the winners below.

World Design Impact Prize

The first-ever World Design Impact Prize was awarded to Planning Systems Services Ltd from Kenya. Built using recycled materials, the company’s Community Cooker is a kitchen solution that turns rubbish into energy. The award was accepted by Janice W. Muthui and Debbie Donde on behalf of Planning Systems Services Ltd.

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) awards the World Design Impact Prize in recognition of exceptional industrial design projects, which improve the quality of life from a social, economic, cultural or environmental point of view.

Donated by the City of Lahti, the trophy for the inaugural World Design Impact Prize  was designed by Tapio Anttila and made by carpenter Markku Tonttila at the Pro Puu Centre.

Alvar Aalto Medal

The eleventh Alvar Aalto Medal was awarded to Portuguese Paulo David (born 1959). Designed by its namesake, architect and designer, Alvar Aalto, the medal is awarded in recognition of creative architectural concepts.

Paulo David was born in Funchal. He studied architecture in Lisbon and has worked on his home island of Madeira since 2003. 
The form of his works is modern yet timeless, local yet universal, powerful yet peaceful.

“Construction on an island can be compared to cooking with limited ingredients: the architect is at the mercy of environmental conditions; you have to be on a constant lookout for new alternatives and opportunities, and work to expand and adapt the space," David says.

The Alvar Aalto Medal is awarded by the Museum of Finnish Architecture, the Architectural Society, the Finnish Association of Architects, the Alvar Aalto Foundation and the City of Helsinki.

The Estlander Prize

Helsinki Design Week founder and director Kari Korkman received the Estlander bronze medal and the €5,000 prize.

Korkman instigated the Helsinki Design Week as a private individual, creating what is now known as one of the key events on the Finnish design calendar. For a number of years, the event has brought together the operators and audiences of the design world. At the same time, it promotes international awareness and partnerships for Finnish design.

“I have always been interested in working for the common good. The Estlander is a highly respected prize in the field, and I am proud to be among the few who have received it,” Korkman says.

The Estlander gold medal was received by Tapio Hintikka (M.Sc. (Tech)), Harri Malmberg (LL. Lic.) and Hannele Pohjola (LL. M.). All three have promoted interaction between Finnish design and business in their work.

The Estlander silver medal was awarded to Professor Kalevi Ekman, Professor Raimo Nikkanen, and Professor Markku Salimäki. The three men played a crucial role in the creation of Aalto University.

Established by Design Forum Finland, the Estlander Prize and Award is given in recognition of significant achievement on behalf of Finnish design. The medal was designed by artist Tero Laaksonen.

The World Design Capital Gala in Lahti was attended by 600 invited guests from all around the world. And what a fabulous night it was.