Andreu World Teams Up with Kvadrat for 19th Annual International Design Contest

The ubiquitous chair—a furnishing so commonplace we can hardly imagine its absence. Over the centuries, the seating staple has taken on many forms from the ancient Greek’s klismos, with curved legs and a curved backrest, to mid-century styles to sleek, modern models. Designers manage to constantly reinvent this classic form.
But for new and emerging designers, there are few opportunities to introduce innovative pieces alongside more established players. Andreu World, a family-run furnishings company based in Spain, is working to change that. The company’s International Design Competition, now in its 19th year, is open to designers of all ages and experience levels, spotlighting creativity above all else.

Since 2001, Andreu World has invited designers around the globe to re-imagine the structure and aesthetic of two classic forms—chairs and tables. The international showcase is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the world, with more than 29,645 participants from 124 countries to date.
“We work every year to try to make the competition a little better than the previous one,” says Jesús Llinares, CEO of Andreu World. “And most importantly, we’re always inviting the best jurors because they are the ones who set the level and encourage us to continue striving so that everyone who wants to participate can have the opportunity to show their talent to the world.”
This year, Andreu World is teaming up with the Danish textile firm, Kvadrat, in an effort to spotlight sustainable design initiatives. The two companies have a history of collaborating on seating collections, like Andreu World’s Glow, though this is the first time they’ve joined forces for the International Design Competition.

“We wanted to make this 19th edition even more personal, raising new challenges, with the special collaboration of Kvadrat,” says Llinares. “The purpose is to open new possibilities to the contestants and introduce new materials, such as Kvadrat textiles and upholstery or the Solid Board by Really material, in search of innovative, sustainable and versatile seating and table designs.”
To enter the competition, proposals may include a range of seating pieces, from armchairs and lounge chairs to stools, benches, and sofas, using materials outlined by Andreu World. For chairs, these include woods such as beech, ash, oak, or walnut in solid or ply, as well as Kvadrat textiles for upholstery. For those submitting table designs, the main material must be Solid Textile Board by Really, a high-density composite manufactured from end-of-lifecycle Kvadrat textiles. These materials spotlight Andreu World’s long-standing commitment to sustainability. All wood used in the brand’s furnishings is harvested from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests with green protocols in place.

This year’s panel of judges features esteemed architects and designers including: Anders Byriel, Marcus Fairs, Sheila Loewe, Belén Moneo, Antxón Gómez, and Alexis Georgacopoulus. First and second place winners will receive prizes of €4,000 and €2,000, respectively, with four honorable mentions. The final day to enter is November 29. To submit and view official rules and conditions, go here. Participants can also write Andreu World directly to receive samples by mail at [email protected].