Since 1995, the Designplus Award, organised by ISH, has recognised products and solutions from ISH exhibitors that combine sophisticated design with innovation, functionality and sustainability. An independent expert jury selects the winners. ISH organises the award in partnership with Stylepark, the magazine for architecture and design.
The award focuses on developments that combine design with new technical approaches and practical benefits for water, heating and air. It brings these solutions to the attention of the industry.
Entries open: 28 October 2026 Entry deadline: 22 January 2027 Winners announced: Mid-February 2027 Awards ceremony: 15 March 2027 at ISH
Entry fee: EUR 325 plus VAT per entry in each of the four main categories. The fee is payable regardless of whether the jury selects the entry for an award. Entry to the special categories Young Innovators + and Sustainable Exhibition Stand + is free of charge.
Eligibility: ISH 2027 exhibitors. For the four main categories, the product must be in series production; prototypes and one-off products are not eligible. The product must have been launched by ISH 2027 at the latest, and its launch must be no more than two years prior to the event. The earliest eligible launch date is 1 March 2025. These product requirements do not apply to the special categories Young Innovators + and Sustainable Exhibition Stand +.
Our FAQ answers questions about the entry process and more
Take part in an internationally established industry award
Since 1995, the Designplus Award has been part of ISH and is recognised internationally as an industry benchmark. It stands for continuity, professional relevance and recognition. For more than three decades, it has highlighted products that combine design quality with technological progress.
Independent assessment
Entries are assessed by an independent expert jury comprising specialists from the industry, design and architecture.
Recognition and visibility
An award recognises the quality of your product development and strengthens your company’s profile as an innovator. It helps you position your solutions with trade visitors, the media and business partners.
The planned communications include an online gallery of the winners, coverage on ISH social media channels, inclusion in press communications, winner identification in the exhibitor search and at your stand, and the awards ceremony on the first day of the trade fair. Trade visitors and members of the press will also discover the winning products on guided tours.
Recognition for your team
An award recognises not only the product but also the people behind it. It highlights how design, development, technology and sustainability come together to create a compelling solution.
Interested in taking part? Submit your innovation here.
New for 2027: Guided tours – trade visitors and the press at your stand
Instead of a separate special exhibition, guided tours will take trade visitors and members of the press directly to the winners’ stands during ISH. As a winner, you can present your products and solutions to relevant audiences and speak with them in person.
The dates and organisational details are currently being planned. More information will follow in winter 2026.
Comments from the 2025 Designplus winners
“The Designplus Award for BetteUltra Space significantly increased our visibility at ISH, in the media and on social platforms. At the same time, the award is a valuable recognition for our colleagues, confirming that a consistent focus on design, functionality and sustainability pays off.”
“We were delighted to win the Designplus Award 2025. Recognition by a renowned, independent expert jury is a valuable acknowledgement of the high quality standards we set for our solutions. At the same time, the award provides special visibility for the winning products.”
"Two Designplus Awards for different achievements, but with the same message: sustainability and innovation belong together. The recognition of cleanFlow and our sustainable trade fair concept confirms that responsible action and future-oriented development must go hand in hand. For us, this is the foundation of sustainable progress."
Entry and assessment
1. Submit your entry
ISH exhibitors can submit products and solutions via the Stylepark website from 28 October 2026. The deadline is 22 January 2027. For the digital photo jury, entries must include images and a product description. Models and original products cannot be submitted. You can find all format requirements and the required documents on the Stylepark website.
2. Assessment by the jury
The independent expert jury assesses entries according to design, innovation, functionality and sustainability. The jury determines the weighting of the criteria. There is no fixed number of winners: the jury may select any number of entries in each category, or decide not to make an award. There is also no guarantee of an award in the Young Innovators + category.
3. Announcement of the winners
The winning companies will be notified personally shortly after the jury meeting. From mid-February 2027, ISH will announce the winners on its website, on social media and in an official press release.
4. Awards ceremony
The awards ceremony will take place on 15 March 2027, the first day of ISH.
5. Guided tours to the winners’ stands
During ISH, guided tours will take trade visitors and members of the press to the winners’ stands. Tour times will be announced at a later date.
Intelligent systems for controlling devices through to entire building services systems, helping to optimise energy consumption and improve quality of life.
Intelligent control of devices, systems and buildings
Networking of different building functions
Automation and demand-based adjustment
Optimisation of energy consumption
Software solutions for greater comfort and efficiency
The Sustainable Exhibition Stand + category recognises exhibitors for the design and implementation of a sustainable exhibition stand. It focuses on the use of environmentally friendly materials, resource-efficient construction methods, and the integration of sustainable practices throughout the planning, implementation and operation of the stand. The aim is to minimise the environmental footprint of exhibition stands while creating an inspiring, contemporary and attractive experience for visitors.
The jury
Alongside Stylepark, the jury includes an independent group of experts from industry, design and architecture who assess the submissions.
Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Müller
Managing Director Technology, ZVSHK
Andreas Müller is an engineer specializing in energy and heating technology. Following positions in the SHK trade and building services engineering, he has held various leadership roles at the German Sanitation, Heating and Air Conditioning Association (ZVSHK), where he currently serves as Managing Director Technology.
Prof. Amandus Samsøe Sattler
Architect, Partner at ensømble Studio Architektur & President, DGNB
Prof. Amandus Samsøe Sattler is an architect, partner at ensømble Studio Architektur in Berlin and founder of Allmann Sattler Wappner Architekten. He is Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at IU International University and serves as President of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).
Dr.-Ing. Claudia Kandzia
Project Coordinator, HEINZ TROX Foundation
Dr. Claudia Kandzia is an engineer specializing in building services engineering, with a focus on indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Following roles in research, academia, and industry associations, she now works as a Project Coordinator at the HEINZ TROX Foundation.
Jens J. Wischmann
Managing Director, VDS & VdZ
Jens J. Wischmann is Managing Director of the Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitärwirtschaft (VDS) and the VdZ – Wirtschaftsvereinigung Gebäude und Energie. A lawyer and Executive MBA graduate, he has many years of experience representing the interests of the sanitation, heating and building technology industries.
FAQ
Questions about the submission process, entry fees, the jury and more are answered in our FAQ.
