The 2020 Best of Products Awards are our most robust yet, and we’re thrilled to reveal the winners. With more categories than ever—31 in all—this year’s edition spans nearly every building, interior, and outdoor product category imaginable, from acoustics and fabrics to air barriers and timber cladding. Our discerning jurors brought their wide-ranging expertise to every one of these product types, assessing each on multiple bases, including aesthetics, performance, ease of installation, and value. After all was said and done, they had singled out one winner and up to two honorable mentions per category. The Architect’s Newspaper’s editors’ picks round out the esteemed group.
Unlike in previous years, the 2020 awards do not arrive on the heels of any industry trade show or splashy design week. Perhaps as a result, unifying trends across the hundreds of submissions were slightly less pronounced. Those that did emerge reflected concerns surrounding the ongoing pandemic, such as hygiene and safety. Physical barriers, antigerm hardware, wipeable surfaces, operable apertures, and smart entry systems seek to assuage users’ anxieties (“Should I touch that door handle?” “Am I maintaining the proper distance from others?”) that characterize our current circumstance.
Comfort was another perceptible theme, one connected to the pandemic-induced quarantine of the past few months, when living areas suddenly transformed into full-time workspaces. On this score, new freestanding partitions, sound-minimizing baffles, and desktop dividers were especially appreciated, as were space-delineating solutions like statement-making textiles and easily configurable alcoves. There was no shortage of creative lighting fixtures, to say nothing of the digital skylight systems that promise to bring the mood-edifying effects of daylight inside. Of course, there were plenty of work desks and lots of seating, with much of it sporting plush upholstery and integrated privacy features. Color us envious.
Submissions exhibiting keen attention to enclosures and exterior surfaces reminded us of the world outside, and, browsing the latest in outdoor furnishings, we imagined lingering over a long, shaded lunch with colleagues.
Which isn’t to box in any of these exceptional designs and wares. While many are particularly well-suited to the new normal, they certainly aren’t constrained by it. Nearly all boast flexibility of a kind, a trait welcome in all times and scenarios. Several promote well-being and facilitate interactions; others are simply inobtrusive—no small thing. For these reasons and plenty more besides, we toast this year’s honorees.
The Best of Products Awards Jury:
Kimberly Dowdell
President
NOMA / HOK
Billie Faircloth
Partner
KieranTimberlake
Alex Gilbert
Associate Director
Friedman Benda Gallery
Gabrielle Golenda
Products Editor
The Architect’s Newspaper
Sharon Johnston
Founding Partner
Johnston Marklee
Tom Kundig
Founding Principal
Olson Kundig
Samuel Medina
Executive Editor
The Architect’s Newspaper
Irwin Miller
Principal
Gensler
Jonathan Moody
CEO
Moody Nolan
Dr. Adam Polcyn
Vice President of Research and Development
Vitro Architectural Glass
Asad Syrkett
Editor in Chief
Elle Decor
Jejon Yeung
Principal
Worrel Yeung
Categories:
Interior Finishes & Surfaces
Winner
New Flek Palette
3form
Honorable Mentions
Obscura by Suzanne Tick
Skyline Design
The Coordinates Collection by Cambria,
Gensler
Editors Picks
Dekton Avant-Garde Series
Cosentino
Pietta Donovan Collection
Walker Zanger
Amazonite
Fiandre
Decorative Lighting & Electrical
Winner
Coordinates
FLOS
“This elegant design delivers well-calibrated light that enhances architectural environments without overwhelming an interior, and invites subtle discovery of its well-resolved, minimal details.” —Sharon Johnston
Honorable Mentions
Coil Collection
LightArt
Illan
Luceplan
Editors Picks
Sky
Pablo Designs
Residential Furnishings
Winner
Sage by David Rockwell for Benchmark
Benchmark
Honorable Mentions
Reprise Chair
L.Ercolani
Hew Coffee Table
Design Within Reach
Editors Picks
Pandarine Sofa
HAY
Textiles
Winner
Dawn Collection
Deborah Berke Partners x Warp & Weft
“These patterns are so subtle in their gradation and choice of colors, and so sophisticated and unique with their figuration. They will enhance a broad range of furniture ensembles and spaces.” —Jejon Yeung
Honorable Mentions
Desert Lights Carpet and Rug Collection
ShawContract Hospitality Group
Silhouette
nanimarquina
Editors Picks
Sunbrella Assure
Sunbrella
Kitchen Appliances & Plumbing
Winner
48″ Professional Range
Fisher & Paykel
“With a hybrid induction and gas range top, this product brings you the best of both worlds.” —Gabrielle Golenda
Honorable Mentions
IKON 33″ Apron 1-3/4 Bowl with Low Divide sink
BLANCO
Transitional 30″ Combination Wall Oven
Dacor
Editors Picks
Park Avenue Kitchen Cabinets
ITALKRAFT
Bathroom Appliances & Plumbing
Winner
SensoWash i
Duravit
“As more and more consumers are seeking out high- functioning toilets, it’s nice to see a design that doesn’t look like one, and is packaged in a beautiful, simple form.” —Jejon Yeung
Honorable Mentions
Acquafit
Fantini
modularBATH
CARVART
Editors Picks
Eir Intelligent Toilet
Kohler
StyleDrain
California Faucets
Tiles, Chemical Anchors, & Adhesives
Winner
SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Translucent Grout
LATICRETE
Paint & Coatings
Winner
Brass & Bronze
Pure + FreeForm
“Pure + FreeForm impressed us with its environmentally responsible alternative to copper-based metals. Recyclable and, more importantly, containing postconsumer recycled material, the brass- and bronze-coated aluminum sheets give designers a lightweight option with a predictable, consistent aesthetic (even when weathered).” —Adam Polcyn
Honorable Mentions
Emerald Designer Edition Interior Latex
Sherwin-Williams
Martin Kesselman White
Martin Kesselman collaboration with Farrow & Ball
Decorative Hardware
Winner
Riverside Pull
Top Knobs
“I really like the way the design balances refinement and feeling handmade. Presenting clean outside lines and keeping the inside face softer against your hand is a great, thoughtful touch.” —Tom Kundig
Honorable Mentions
Churchill Suite
SA Baxter Design Studio & Foundry
ICE, PEBBLE, & LUSCIOUS LEVERS
Zietta Clara
Editors Picks
Del Mar Handleset
Baldwin Hardware
Architectural Hardware
Winner
SmartEntry by Accurate
Accurate Lock and Hardware
Honorable Mentions
Unitized Glass Railing System
C.R. Laurence
Mortise lock status indicator
ASSA ABLOY
Editors Picks
e-Genius
TownSteel
Commercial Furnishings
Winner
Max Table by Max Lamb for Hem
Hem Design Studio
“‘Form is everything,’ said [Italian furniture designer] Enzo Mari. Simple shapes are the most complicated to nail. Max Lamb’s dedication to traditional mono-material making holds up in this relatively affordable collaboration with Hem. A looooong communal table, just as appropriate for a conference or meal, is a welcome addition to the market.” —Alex Gilbert
Honorable Mentions
Palisades Luxe
Spacestor
Division Twelve
Keilhauer
Editors Picks
Patkau Bench
Nienkämper
Power Beam
Knoll
Architectural & Commercial Lighting & Electrical
Winner
Diversion
FLOS Architectural
“I was impressed by the simplicity and versatility of this FLOS collection and the way it creates its own architecture.” —Asad Syrkett
Honorable Mentions
Black Lens
Senso by Luminii
Purolinear 360
SONNEMAN
Editors Picks
SpectraClean
Hubbell Lighting
Custom Acoustics
Winner
Mute Fit PET Felt Acoustic Panel
De Vorm
Honorable Mentions
Garden on the Wall
Garden on the Wall
Felt Baffles & Open Cell ceiling systems
Hunter Douglas Ceilings & Walls, exclusively from CertainTeed
Editors Picks
The AVIO Collection
Kirei
Acoustic Partitions
Winner
Toast
Pair
“I appreciate the simplicity of the design. The panels seem super versatile and especially relevant right now, given the many different places people find themselves using as workspace.” —Tom Kundig
Honorable Mentions
Clikclax
Clikclax Pty Ltd.
STACKWALL Collection
CARVART
Editors Picks
SoftScreen
Arktura
Electrical Systems
Winner
Aperture SkyCeiling
Sky Factory, Inc.
Honorable Mentions
Cadiant Dynamic Lighting Experience
Cree Lighting
Outdoor Lighting & Electrical
Winner
Motive Outdoor Lighting
Landscape Forms
“The best outdoor lighting aids in wayfinding without being visually obtrusive, and Motive strikes a balance between good looks and functionality across several applications.” —Asad Syrkett
Honorable Mentions
Candél
Pablo Designs
Nebula
Neri
Editors Picks
Lance Series
Meteor Lighting
Outdoor Furnishings
Winner
Disc, Peak & Stretch
Landscape Forms
Honorable Mentions
Rio Bike Rack by RIOS
JANUS et Cie
Iconic
Maglin Site Furniture
Editors Picks
The Eclipse Collection
Parasoleil
Outdoor Finishes & Surfaces
Winner
Kebony Deck Board
Kebony
“The four varieties of fasteners provide easy installation and plenty of options for use without sacrificing high visual impact. This is an awesome product that I’m glad to see getting some attention for its versatility.” —Tom Kundig
Honorable Mentions
RHEINZINK-GRANUM architectural-grade zinc
RHEINZINK
Laser Cut Collection
Móz Designs
Editors Picks
Deep textured, perforated stainless steel
Rigidized Metals Corporation
Windows
Winner
Vision 90 – Insulated Glass Unit
AGNORA
Honorable Mentions
CABRIO Balcony Roof Window MK19
VELUX
Skycove
Marvin
Editors Picks
1620UT/1620UT SSG Curtain Wall System
Kawneer
Doors
Winner
NanaWall SL84
NanaWall Systems
“NanaWall is a game changer for environments that are designed to elegantly blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.” —Kimberly Dowdell
Honorable Mentions
YSD 600 TUH Low Threshold, Impact-Rated Architectural Sliding Door
YKK AP America
Holoform Demountable Wall System
Holoform/OldCastle
Editors Picks
MultiGlide pass-through with automation
Andersen Windows
Safety Openings
Winner
Glass BirdProtect with DotView One-Way Vision
McGrory Glass
“Many bird-safe glass options have become available in recent years, and this unit is at the top of the pack.” —Samuel Medina
Honorable Mentions
Flood Window System
Fenex
Cladding
Winner
StoVentec Rainscreen systems
Sto Corp.
Honorable Mentions
Synthesis 3D Designed & Printed Custom Facades
EDG
Envel Ultra–High Performance Concrete Facades
Envel Facade
Editors Picks
Vintago
Swisspearl
New Wanderlust selection of 29 ALUCOBOND PLUS aluminum composite material finishes
3A Composites USA
Roofing
Winner
Dragon Armor
CLISSET LLC
Honorable Mentions
InvariTone
Rigidized Metals Corporation
Facade Structural Systems
Winner
YWW 50 TU Thermally Broken Window Wall System
YKK AP America, Inc.
“YWW offers an innovative slab edge cover that facilitates clean lines while providing thermal break technology to enhance product performance and flexibility.” —Kimberly Dowdell
Honorable Mentions
Decorative Ventilated Glass Rain & Wind Screen System
Bendheim
Florim S7 System
Florim Ceramiche S.p.A.
Timber Building Materials
Winner
LIGNIA Fire
LIGNIA Wood Company
Glass
Winner
Solarban Acuity Glass
Vitro Architectural Glass
“Vitro gives designers another tool to show that they care for our environment. It gives us the ability to push both high performance and aesthetic forward.” —Jonathan Moody
Honorable Mentions
isosecure
sedak
Halio smart-tinting glass
Kinestral Technologies
Editors Picks
Precision Edge
Pulp Studio
Weather Barriers, Air Barriers, & Insulation
Winner
ArmorWall Structural Insulated Sheathing SP
MaxLife Industries
Honorable Mentions
Cavityrock Black
ROCKWOOL
HVAC Appliances
Winner
LG Art Cool Premier Wall Mount Split System
LG Electronics
Honorable Mentions
PKFY-NLMU Wall-Mounted Indoor Unit
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US
Sanicubic 2 VX
SFA Saniflo
Planning & Management Software
Winner
CORE Architect
BQE
Honorable Mentions
Programmed Water Technologies
Sloan
Mosaic
MosaicApp
Smart Building, Smart Home, & Automation Systems
Winner
Awaken Skylight
Marvin
Honorable Mentions
LG NeON R ACe
LG Electronics
StreamLabs Control
RWC
Design & Construction Software
Winner
BIMx
GRAPHISOFT
Honorable Mentions
Vectorworks Architect 2020 BIM software
Vectorworks
Cellular Fabrication
Branch Technology
