Antwerp Design Week Awards 2026

During the closing evening of Antwerp Design Week 2026, two special awards were presented to recognize initiatives that perfectly embody the spirit of the event: The Design Surprise Award and the Hospitality Award.

The winners received a miniature red Boerentoren, one of Antwerp’s most iconic landmarks. The choice was no coincidence. When the Boerentoren was built almost a century ago, it was a bold and ambitious project that transformed the city’s skyline and became a symbol of entrepreneurship, innovation and forward thinking. Today, as the building undergoes a new transformation, it continues to represent the power of ideas that challenge the status quo and shape the future.

The Design Surprise Award was awarded to A Raw Idea by Thomas More. Set in a building undergoing its own transformation, the exhibition challenged visitors to see design not as a finished result, but as a tool to question, explore and create change. By showcasing projects, experiments and ideas from a new generation of designers, A Raw Idea offered a fresh perspective on the role design can play in shaping tomorrow.

The Hospitality Award went to Furnitale. By bringing brands (Passe Partout, Zuiver, Home of interior brands BOVI, The Reborn Home, Mon Dada, PURE by Jasaco, ...) together under one roof and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Furnitale offered visitors much more than a showroom experience. From the music and energy to the thoughtful hospitality, every detail encouraged visitors to stay, connect and discover.

While A Raw Idea celebrated curiosity and new perspectives, Furnitale demonstrated the power of hospitality in bringing people together. Together, they represent two essential ingredients of Antwerp Design Week.

Together, they remind us that Antwerp Design Week is about much more than design. It is about bringing people together, creating memorable experiences and inspiring new ideas.