Welcome to Connected Design’s first annual Design Meets Tech Award program!
The Design Meets Tech Awards recognize some of the most innovative smart home products on the market. Nominations emphasize how the product is innovative, helps drive sale and entices consumers to experience it in person. Categories can range from networking solutions to connected security, lighting, audio and more. Preference is made towards the newest products available. Winners were chosen by our editorial team and announced during Design and Construction Week.
Congrats to the 2023 Winners!
GE Profile UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology
GE ProfileTM is leading the charge again in laundry innovation with the UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology. As the ultimate one-and-done solution, the combination washer and dryer not only saves space, time and energy, it also provides the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it experience by eliminating the hassle of waiting around to transfer a load. With an industry-leading cycle time, the UltraFast Combo changes the way we look at laundry day by washing and drying a large load in 2 hours.
L-Acoustics Creations’ Fiji 2.1
Fiji 2.1 is a complete stereo system for home use which includes 2 coaxial speakers, 1 compact subwoofer and integrated amplification. The components of Fiji are professional audio components matching the world-renowned sonic signature of L-Acoustics, the leading provider of concert systems for major festivals, music venues, and top artists on tour. The system is designed to allow end users to, quite literally, bring high fidelity, full-range concert-grade sound into the home.
WALL-SMART Universal Access Point Flush Mounts
WALL-SMART’s unique problem-solving Universal Access Point Mount minimizes the visual impact of Wi-Fi access points dramatically. The entire device disappears from sight, tucked comfortably into the specially engineered, designed, and fabricated mount that recesses flush with the ceiling surface. Once the access point is installed, the opening is covered with a plate the sits flush with the ceiling and can be pained to match.
Signature Kitchen Suite’s 24-in. Undercounter Convertible Refrigerator/Freezer Drawers
Signature Kitchen Suite’s Undercounter Convertible Refrigerator/Freezer Drawers offers two convertible drawers offering six Multi-Temp Settings: Pantry, Fridge, Bar, Seafood, Meat or Freezer. The unit is designed to minimize temperature fluctuations and help keep food fresher and longer with flexibility from -7 to 50 degrees (Fahrenheit) independently in each drawer.
Signature Kitchen Suite 48-in. French Door Refrigerator
The first-of-its-kind 48-in. model delivers precise preservation and ultimate capacity in sleek, innovative design. The new pinnacle for the natural progression in the market, the 48-inch refrigerator allows the design community to offer clients never-before seen capacity and functionality in the popular French Door configuration, making this product ideal for the replacement of aging 48-inch refrigerators.
LG Electronics’ WashTower LCD
The LG WashTower LCD is a sleek, single-unit laundry solution that takes up half the floor space while tackling ultra-large loads. With an exclusive form factor only from LG, the smartly designed LG WashTower enables consumers to reinvent their laundry room design – and their laundry routine – with convenient LCD controls, built-in intelligence and advanced cleaning. The LG WashTower LCD offers the benefits of a stacked pair and none of the drawbacks.
LG Electronics’ MoodUP Refrigerator
Designed to meet the evolving needs of tech-savvy consumers, the new LG MoodUP refrigerator expertly blurs the lines between design and tech with color-changing LED panels that allow users to create a customized lighting scheme for the refrigerator with a wide range of vibrant colors to suit their mood or the environment. LG’s MoodUP technology uses LED lights installed at the bottom of the refrigerator door and Light guide plates, extrusion frames, etc. to distribute light evenly throughout the panel.
Sharp Home Electronics’ 24 in. Slide-In Smart Dishwasher (SDW6767HS)
The Sharp SDW6767HS Smart Dishwasher brings practical smart home features to a versatile and powerful dish washing experience. With six washing cycles, seven options, outstanding washing power, and an adjustable third rack, the SDW6767HS is ready to help.The responsive washing cycles work with smart sensors to optimize performance automatically. Set the Wash Zone to clean smaller loads on either the upper or lower rack.
Sharp Home Electronics’ Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier with True HEPA + Humidifier
The Plasmacluster 7000 Series KCP110UW Smart Air Purifier by SHARP is your choice for large rooms. Effective up to 2,603 sq. ft. at one air change per hour, the KCP110UW will filter the air in the AHAM Suggested Room Size of 538 sq. ft. at 4.8 air changes per hour. The SHARP long-life True HEPA filter, long-life Activated Carbon filter, and Humidifying filter all last up-to 2 years, depending on the environment. The KCP110UW meets the strict energy efficiency criteria to earn the ENERGY STAR Rating.
Harman’s JBL Stage 2 Architectural Series Loudspeakers
JBL Stage 2 Architectural Series loudspeakers include eight models — available in various configurations — for both in-wall and in- ceiling installations. At the heart of each model is a 1-inch/25-millimeter aluminum tweeter with an acoustic lens and waveguide that delivers crystal-clear high frequencies. Polycellulose cone woofers, premium air-core inductors, and mylar cap capacitor crossover network components ensure that sound remains dynamic at all listening levels. In-wall models include larger waveguides with JBL’s patented High-Definition Imaging (HDITM) geometry for smooth dispersion and low distortion.
Harman’s JBL Stage XD Series Loudspeakers
Featuring sustainably designed packaging and product, JBL Stage XD Series is the first repairable IP-67 outdoor loudspeaker available. The Stage XD-6 features a 6.5-inch/165mm Polycellulose cone woofer and a 1-inch/25mm aluminum tweeter with an acoustic lens and High-Definition Imaging (HDITM) waveguide, while the Stage XD-5 features a 5.25-inch/130mm woofer and 1- inch/25mm aluminum tweeter. Both all-weather speakers are perfect for an outdoor location when protection from the environment is a requirement.