# ADI Compasso d’Oro International Award Opens for Expo 2027 Belgrade The prestigious design competition invites global entries focused on the theme of human play. - **Source:** [design archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/11868f8d-1e20-41ac-bc2d-8c5af32d721b) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b95cfe24-ecf5-403f-9c13-2dd92e6e1de5 ## Global Design Recognition The Association for Industrial Design (ADI) has launched the Compasso d’Oro International Award for Expo 2027 Belgrade. This initiative seeks to identify products, services, and interactive experiences that embody the theme of human play. By moving from digital submissions to a physical pavilion, the project aims to highlight significant contemporary design contributions. ## Historical Preservation Standards Selection in this competition offers more than temporary recognition, as it secures a permanent place within the ADI Compasso d’Oro Historical Collection. Based in Milan, this museum serves as an active custodian for objects and systems that define modern living. It acts as an anchor against the ephemeral nature of online creative cycles. ## Redefining Human Play Operating under the Expo 2027 framework, the award repositions play from passive entertainment into a serious tool for collective wellbeing. The competition evaluates how intentional design can foster human connection. It challenges creators to demonstrate how their work transforms the instinct of play into a lasting social impact for diverse global communities. ## Broad Categorical Scope The competition accepts entries across nine diverse fields, including lighting, living, work, mobility, and food. Other categories cover individual goods, communication, exhibition, and social systems. Whether participants are scaling zero-emission transit solutions or reconfiguring communal furniture, the focus remains on how these designs facilitate interaction and improve the quality of human experience. ## Jury and Award Structure An international jury will select 20 winners to receive the Compasso d’Oro, alongside up to 50 Honourable Mentions. Additionally, the committee will present three International Career Awards to recognize long-term contributions to the field. These accolades are designed to establish each project as an enduring reference point for future generations of designers. ## Timeline and Exhibition Details Submissions for the award are open until January 20, 2027. The official ceremony will take place live at Expo 2027 Belgrade on May 24, 2027. Following the announcement, the exhibition will remain open to the public through August 15, showcasing the shortlisted projects within the dedicated Best Practices district pavilion. ## Active Public Engagement The exhibition period spans nearly three months, featuring six thematic weeks of talks, workshops, and public events. These activities are designed to keep the selected projects in active dialogue with international visitors. By fostering this engagement, the organizers ensure that the design concepts remain relevant and accessible to a broad global audience. ## Legacy of Design Excellence The Compasso d’Oro continues to serve as a benchmark for industrial design, bridging the gap between creative innovation and cultural permanence. By aligning with the Expo 2027 theme, the award emphasizes the role of design in shaping social systems. It remains a critical platform for designers seeking to influence the future of humanity. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/design/adi-compasso-doro-2027/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._