Dezeen Awards Trophy Redesigned Using Sustainable Cork Material
Portuguese manufacturer Corticeira Amorim updates the iconic D-shaped trophy for 2026 winners.
1Sustainable Trophy Refresh
Portuguese manufacturer Corticeira Amorim has redesigned the iconic D-shaped Dezeen Awards trophy using sustainably harvested cork. This update marks a shift toward renewable materials for the annual design competition. The new trophies will be presented to winners at the upcoming awards party held at London's Royal Opera House on November 16.
2Preserving Iconic Identity
The design process focused on maintaining the recognizable graphic identity established by Dutch studio Atelier NL in 2018. While the original trophies were crafted from clay, the new version incorporates cork as a central design element. This allows the material itself to become an integral part of the award's visual language.
3Renewable Material Properties
Cork is derived from the outer bark of the cork oak, primarily sourced from Portugal. The harvesting process does not require felling the tree, which naturally regenerates its bark every nine years. Beyond its renewable nature, cork is lightweight, resilient, and capable of sequestering carbon, making it a highly sustainable choice for manufacturing.
4Material Innovation Challenges
Corticeira Amorim developed various compositions and textures to distinguish between different winner tiers while maintaining a consistent aesthetic. Board member Cristina Amorim noted that the project highlights the versatility of one of humanity's oldest materials. The team explored new grains and finishes to showcase cork's potential beyond its traditional industrial applications.
5Extensive Design Collaboration
This project continues the manufacturer's history of collaborating with prominent architecture and design initiatives. Previous notable works include the 2012 Serpentine Pavilion by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei. The company has also partnered with designers like Jasper Morrison and Naoto Fukasawa to demonstrate the material's broad potential in modern product design.
6Recent Urban Interventions
In 2024, Corticeira Amorim produced installations for the City Cortex program in Lisbon. This initiative featured cork-based interventions in public spaces created by internationally recognized architects such as Eduardo Souto de Moura and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. These projects aimed to reveal unexpected applications of cork within contemporary urban and architectural environments.
7Evolution of Trophy Materials
Dezeen has previously utilized diverse materials for its trophies, including micro-paper compounds, wood from London street trees, and clay sourced from traditional yellow bricks. By transitioning to cork, the awards program emphasizes its commitment to material exploration. Each iteration reflects a different approach to sustainability and local resource utilization in design.
8Partnership and Global Reach
The 2026 Dezeen Awards are held in partnership with global technology company Trimble. Trimble provides hardware and software solutions that support creative excellence in architecture and design. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation, as winners receive the bespoke cork trophies during the ceremony at the Royal Opera House.
Original article: Dezeen — Dezeen Awards Trophy Redesigned Using Sustainable Cork Material