By James Wells
SYDNEY: Fisher & Paykel and Breville received the two top awards for appliances at last night’s Home Beautiful Product of the Year Awards held at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
The E5224 Fisher & Paykel Ice & Water bottom mount refrigerator won the award for best product in the Luxury category, ahead of the only other finalist – LG’s Steam Combined Washer & Dryer.
The Breville BES400 Ikon espresso machine won the award for Value for Money appliance ahead of the only other finalist in the category – Fisher & Paykel’s Aquasmart washing machine – the first top-loading washing machine to achieve a four-star water rating making it qualify for government rebates.
Products were judged on three key categories – design, innovation and practicality. Judges examined how the design blended function and form, the design philosophy behind the products, what stands out about the design, what materials were used, whether the product had sustainability features and whether it is designed for longevity.
In terms of innovation, judges were asked to examine whether the product breaks new ground, what stands out about the materials used in the manufacturing process and whether it stands out from similar products in the market. In terms of practicality, the product had to be easy to use as well as being useful, helpful and practical.
The Home Beautiful Product of the Year Awards is one of the key events within the Sydney Design 07 with all nominated products featuring in an interactive exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum.
“We are delighted by Fisher & Paykel’s success in the Home Beautiful Design Awards and appreciate the highly valued recognition of the judges for the exceptional work of our design and engineering teams.
“This result underscores our fundamental commitment to innovation and outstanding design,” said Fisher & Paykel national marketing manager, Peter Russell.
“Our design team strives to make beautiful and functional appliances for the home, so it is a great honour to be recognised by this design competition,” said Breville general manager – marketing, Cameron Searle.
“The Ikon Espresso machine combines a high quality stainless steel boiler system with an electronic temperature function, which were previously only available in commercial machines.
“This unique feature provides the perfect coffee extraction by delivering continuous water at 92 degrees, as well as controlling temperature fluctuations,” concluded Searle.
The BES400 is part of Breville’s Ikon Series, which was developed in response to consumer demand for appliances which compliment their kitchen. Clean lines and symmetry are hallmarks of the very stylish Ikon Series.
The Ikon Espresso Machine has won several design industry awards including Australia’s highest and most prestigious design accolade, an Australian Design Award. The locally designed appliance has also been successful on the world-stage, receiving a Good Design award from the influential Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
All the award winning products are showcased at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney as part of the Sydney Design 07 International Design Festival visited by thousands of design devotees from August 3 to August 19th.