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Fritz Hansen celebrates the originality of Spanish architects

On March 23^rd the winner of the True Spanish Original Award was announced in Valencia. The award went to RCR architects, a collective of Ramon Vilalta, Rafael Aranda and Carme Pigem who were honoured by their colleagues in the industry.

The Fritz Hansen True Spanish Original Award was launched in the beginning of 2007 to support the cause of originality and combat the spectre of design copying. By turning the spotlight on the True Originals of Spanish design and architecture – and there are many! – we want to highlight the fact that nothing good ever came from copying.

Addressing a serious problem for the industry

The design copy problem is a problem for all premium brands. Copies and rip-offs undermine both short-term revenue and long-term brand equity. The problem is global, but it is particularly grave in Southern Europe, especially in Spain.

And it’s not just consumers that take a short cut to good design but end up with inferior products. Many architects and designers seem not to care too much whether original quality products or cheap, inferior copies are used in their designs. The fact is that when budgets are tight, it’s all too easy to “forget” that design copying is illegal by EU law – as well as being bad taste.

We want to change this indifference. If architects insist that builders and owners respect their original intentions, we may get to the root of the problem. And that’s why we have launched the Award: To engage as many of the Spanish architects and designers in the issue of originality as possible. And to do it in as positive and forward-looking a manner as possible.

Accolades to RCR Architectes

The Spanish industry has responded very favourably to the award that was launched and developed in dialogue with selected architects and designers. The leading Spanish design media reported from the award ceremony, held in Valencia at the Luna Rossa (the Prada sponsored boat) America’s Cup headquarters. Encouraged by this reception, we plan to continue the practice of fighting the copies by honouring the originals.