Haworth Light Wins Gold

Brazo, a LED task light introduced by Haworth, has been awarded a 2008 Gold Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA). The IDEA competition is a worldwide design competition and a celebration of innovative product and product concept designs of the year.

Designed by Pablo Pardo of Pablo Designs in San Francisco, Brazo has fully adjustable, calibrated light control and a precision quality machined recyclable aluminum body. “I was fascinated with this product's refined sophistication and precision technical detail. This design allows precise control and positioning of light through the clever and appropriate use of LED technology,” said Andrew Hartman, IDSA, creative director of new business at Philips (The Netherlands).

Winners of the 2008 IDEA competition exhibited a focus on sustainability, attention to detail and, in a slowing economy, many offered surprisingly affordable price points. Out of 1517 entries, 35 were awarded the gold award, while 76 received silver awards and 94 won bronze awards. For the first time this year, 389 finalists were named in addition to the winners.

“I’m thrilled to have the design and innovation of brazo recognized through this coveted award,” said Pablo Pardo of Pablo Designs in San Francisco. “This project has taught me a great deal about the lighting needs of the workplace and how far we are capable to explore its potential.”

“With its clean aesthetic, sustainable design, and high level of user control, brazo contributes to the design and performance of Haworth’s organic workplace solutions,” said Iain Thorp, Haworth’s head of design for North America.

Brazo is the first task light to offer focus control, allowing the user to both direct and choose any desired light spread. It features a slender, multi adjustable arm which conceals 18 high powered LED lights, 360˚ head rotation with 90˚ head adjustability, height adjustment, and tangle free wire rotation. The light uses luminous and energy efficient LEDs which are 85% more efficient than incandescent lamps, and have a life span of up to 50,000 hours. Brazo is 97% recyclable.

Haworth Sites Innovation Lab At New HQ

Material ConneXion, a global platform for material solutions and innovations, has opened its first Innovation Lab inside the newly designed corporate headquarters of Haworth Inc. in Holland, MI. The custom built lab is an interactive exhibition of innovative materials and products tailored to Haworth’s specific design needs and business objectives. The lab marks the introduction of a new Material ConneXion offering that expands upon the company’s consulting and materials library services.

“Material ConneXion’s Innovation Lab will be a dynamic source of inspiration and information, not only for our employees, but also for clients and visitors to our new corporate headquarters,” stated Franco Bianchi, Haworth’s president & CEO. “We are thrilled to bring such an unparalleled resource to our company.”

The lab features a rotating selection of large format material samples, sourced from Material ConneXion’s library of over 4,500 innovative materials, and a collection of products that highlight inventive combinations of design and materials. Focusing on the topics of Sustainability, Illumination, Processes and Functional Surfaces, the assembled materials represent some of the most recent developments in materials innovation and offer a variety of opportunities for physical interaction and intellectual stimulation.

“Packaging our materials expertise and knowledge into a hands-on laboratory strengthens our capacity to connect clients with the most up-to-date information on materials and processes,” said George M. Beylerian, founder and CEO of Material ConneXion.

“Forward thinking companies like Haworth can utilize this unique material experience as a vehicle for communication, allowing Material ConneXion to customize a Lab that reinforces their corporate values, emphasizes their products and services, and demonstrates their commitment to innovation and technology,” continued Michele Caniato, President of Material ConneXion.

Prominently featured in the atrium at Haworth's new headquarters building, Material ConneXion’s Innovation Lab contributes to its success as a living laboratory for ongoing research and an engaging experience for visitors.