Lappset wins Red Dot, prestigious international design award
Lappset Group Ltd’s design expertise has once again gained international recognition. The company’s new playground equipment range, Prime, has been honoured with the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Award in two categories: Urban Planning and Sustainability. The awards were presented at a gala in Essen, Germany, on 7 July.
“We are extremely proud of this international design award, as design plays an increasingly important role in children’s playground equipment. This recognition is a testament to the long-term work, creativity and commitment to user‑centred design shown by our multidisciplinary and international team. The award strengthens our position in the global market and encourages us to continue innovating at the forefront of sustainability and usability. I would also like to thank our partners and customers, as this achievement is the result of extensive collaboration,” says CEO Arto Lahtela.
Numerous entries from companies and design agencies around the world were submitted for evaluation by the international jury. According to the Red Dot Design Award criteria, good design must be both environmentally friendly and sustainable. The selection process also emphasises user adaptability, material and energy efficiency in manufacturing, the use of renewable and recyclable raw materials, and the maintainability and recyclability of the products.
In the Urban Design category, the jury stated: “Playfulness for all; the Prime Playground Collection stood out for its modular, sustainable and inclusive design approach.”
In the Sustainability category, the jury praised “the transparent life‑cycle assessment and consistent material strategy of the Prime Playground Collection, resulting in sustainability that is literally fit for our grandchildren.”
Strong recognition for strategy, wood expertise and sustainability
According to Mikko Partanen, who led the design process, the award strongly reflects Lappset’s strategy, Nordic identity and commitment to sustainability—key themes also highlighted in the judging criteria.
“The German Red Dot reinforces Lappset’s identity and expertise as a processor of wood, highlights our Nordic roots and demonstrates that design can create visually striking, sustainable playgrounds that form a prominent part of urban environments,” says Partanen, the lead designer.
Four key elements of the design philosophy
Alongside safety, the Prime collection’s design philosophy is built on four core elements: a curved design language, an earthy colour palette that highlights the natural qualities of wood, and functionality that supports children’s creativity in play.
“At the heart of the collection is the laminated wooden arch, a manufacturing achievement of which we are particularly proud at Lappset’s Rovaniemi factory. It is akin to artisanal craftsmanship.”
The colour palette is the result of extensive customer and background research. The earthy tones emphasise the natural appearance of the wood and accompany it throughout its life cycle.
“Functionality is evident in the collection through new play features that enable a variety of play experiences. The design strikes a strong balance between manufacturability, functionality, appearance and safety,” Partanen adds.
He emphasises that the Red Dot Award is not simply a design prize; sustainability is a central part of the evaluation. In 2025, Lappset became the first Finnish manufacturer of outdoor furniture and playground equipment to be awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
An international and multidisciplinary team behind the design
The Prime playground equipment range was created by an international, multidisciplinary team of experts, including architects, engineers and professionals from production, sales, marketing and finance.
The Prime range consists of 80 standard products, and through the MyDesign service, it can also be customised to suit specific customer themes.
The Red Dot Design Awards add to the numerous international and domestic accolades Lappset has received over the decades.