By Craig Zammit
SYDNEY: The Electrolux Jeppe Utzon BBQ has been described as one of the “coolest new products on the planet” by US business online and print publication, Business 2.0, after it received a Bottom Line award recently.
This latest recognition for the Jeppe Utzon BBQ is given as much for commercial success as it is for design merit, and now joins two other design awards received by the BBQ, from Standards Australia and Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.
“This award illustrates how design is a very powerful brand-building tool,” said Electrolux Asia Pacific design head, Lars Erikson.
“The barbecue continues to lift Electrolux’s profile and is still building the brand two years after its release.”
Bottom Line Awards criteria state that “Beauty is more than skin-deep”, while the winners are described as “versatile, elegant, eco-friendly and, most importantly, successful”.
Judges of the Awards include leading business and design writers, academics, the design heads of Frog (responsible for Sony’s original Trinitron television as well as the Apple Macintosh), footwear designer Crocs and Google’s website engineer.
Erikson has likened the Jeppe Utzon to products from Bang and Olufsen and Braun – two other internationally-recognised brands noted for timeless, classic design.
Other Bottom Line Award-winning designs included a mini-jet aircraft, sculptured wind turbines, projection screens made from water vapour, high-end prefabricated homes and a hydrogen-propelled jet toy-car.