“OXS”, the first line of urban furniture created by ARPINO, has just won RED DOT in the Best of the Best category, one of the most important international design awards, which for 60 years has distinguished the most innovative professionals and their creations. The author, Carlos Pereira, industrial designer and creative director of ARPINO, will receive the prize at the ceremony to be held on 8th july in Essen, Germany.
The “OXS” series, which will be on display at the RED DOT Museum, is distinguished by minimal lines and modular structure, which in a simple way allows a great flexibility, adjusting to the various spaces and to their evolution. The renewal and the access of all to the public space understood as a phenomenon of ethnic, cultural and religious fusion, as well as the awareness of a changing public space resulting from the impact of technological information, was the starting point for the creation of this line, drawn and produced between Europe and Africa.
"... Drawing for the urban space was something that always interested me, not only because of the demands of its basic requirements - such as inclusion, resistance to weather conditions, vandalism, etc., but above all because it allows the regeneration of public spaces, allowing and promoting social interactivity among communities. "
- Carlos Pereira, “OXS” designer
Neutral and modular forms are the inspiration to the minimal design of “OXS” Urban Design Line
Born under conscious design that accommodates and includes all cultures and topologies, working with neutral and modular forms that are highly adaptable to different spaces – from housing estates and public plazas to schools and shopping malls. This range includes elegant urban lighting and way finders, airy pergolas, multimedia kiosks and protective bus shelters as well as traditional urban essentials such as tree guards, bins, benches and bollards. This fundamental urban equipment, with its quality of lightness and modularity, is as easily at home in a square in New York as it is an airport in Luanda.
ARPINO’s inspiration for “OXS” was taken from multi-functional public spaces across the Mediterranean and a borderless notion of what it means to inhabit and use common spaces, day and night. It is the first iteration of the brand’s simple, long-term goal – making cities better places to be. Minimal design, high functionality and a neutral, inclusive approach: “OXS” elevates the concept of the working city into a call for co-existence and creativity.
Design quality is the common factor for award-winning products
“Winning the RED DOT: Best of the Best is a very special honour, because only a very small percentage of entries are granted this distinction. It is well-deserved recognition for a wonderful design achievement and proof that the award-winning companies are amongst the best in design. Consumers can rely on the first-class design quality of the winning products, because they were tested and selected by an experienced jury according to strict assessment criteria” said Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of RED DOT, in reference to the winners.
Experience and expertise get straight to the point
The RED DOT Award: Product Design is one of the world’s largest design competitions. In 2019, designers and manufacturers from 55 countries entered more than 5,500 products in the competition. Only 1.5% of the objects entered won a RED DOT: Best of the Best. The international jury comprises experienced experts from different disciplines and has been convening for more than 60 years in order to select the year’s best designs. During an adjudication process that spans several days, they try out the products, discuss them and ultimately reach a well-founded decision regarding the design quality of the entries. True to the motto “In search of good design and innovation”, their assessment focuses on criteria such as the level of innovation, functionality, formal quality, longevity and ergonomics.