Highbrow design awards include building industry winners

Fast Company has announced the winners of its 2016 Innovation by Design Awards, which highlights the designiest of the design innovations throughout a wide breadth of industries.

Among its chosen favorites are a handful of building industry companies.

Fiskars was named a finalist for its IsoCoreTM striking tools, which includes hammers, sledge hammers, a maul and a pick. The patented design absorbs vibration and shock by up to four times when compared to traditional wood-handled tools, reducing the impact felt by the user.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by Fast Company for our continued passion for innovation,” said Paul Tonnesen, president at Fiskars Americas. “IsoCoreTM tools are just one example of our worldwide dedication to design and performance, which has been an integral part of Fiskars for the past 367 years.”

Ikea was named a finalist in the "Experimental" category for its Flexible Space system, a modular set of moveable walls that can hide furniture when not in use.

Also named finalists in the "Products" category were the August Doorbell Cam, June Intelligent Oven, and Reform Kitchen Designs. An honorable mention went to the Hive Active Heating Thermostat 2.

Fast Company selected the finalists from among 1,700 submissions from 41 countries in 11 categories.