Design studio Formafantasma has been named studio of the year while material designer Shahar Livne has won the title of emerging designer of the year at Dezeen Awards 2020.
Based in Amsterdam, Formafantasma was selected from a shortlist of five studios, which was determined by our jury of 25 leading figures from the world of design.
Shahar Livne Design competed with four other studios that were on the shortlist.
The winning studios were revealed at the Dezeen Awards 2020 design show, which was streamed on Dezeen on 25 November.
The architecture and interiors studio category winners were be revealed on 23 November and 24 November.
Formafantasma is named designer of the year
The design jury, which consisted of Margriet Vollenberg, Rosanne Somerson, Talenia Phua Gajardo, Sindiso Khumalo and designer Dror Benshetrit, chose Formafantasma as this year's designer of the year.
They said that this studio is "a highly articulate studio whose intellectual and ethical ambitions are the driving force behind their truly sophisticated and beautiful work."
The judges were also impressed with "how the studio always delivers and keeps on surprising."
Formafantasma was founded by Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin in 2009. Their projects include a research-focused exhibition at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery and a recyclable display for the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The studios were chosen by this year's architecture master jury, which virtually met on 4 November. Their selections were based on evidence of strong vision and achievement, business success, client satisfaction and positive impact.
Shahar Livne Design named emerging designer of the year
Based in Eindhoven, Shahar Livne develops conceptual materials in an effort to find new and sustainable design practices.
Her projects include bio-leather shoes made from slaughterhouse waste, and the creation of lithoplast, a precious material of the future.
The judges said that "this studio stretches the limits with very powerful work" and that there is a "sense of exploration in every project."
Shahar Livne's work is a "great example of how design is about designing the future, designing how we live and how we can use our voices – to communicate to others."