In preparation for the DesignEuropa Awards ceremony, organized by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which will take place on September 25 in Riga, Latvia, the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia is introducing the awards finalists. A finalist in the Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses award category is the Piil foldable modular house from Estonia’s Arsenit.
The Estonian company Arsenit and its designer Arseniy Timofeyev have created an eye-catching foldable modular house that combines functionality with environmental sustainability, offering a solution for both work and living spaces.
Although the module appears small from the outside, it offers extensive possibilities for combining remote work with leisure. It includes two full-size desks, a king-size bed, a compact yet comfortable kitchen, a spacious bathroom, and a hammock loft with a panoramic window for relaxation.
The module’s exterior is particularly striking – it "stands" on a single leg, with the living space elevated 4.25 meters above the ground. However, the designers’ plans don’t stop with this model – it can also be transformed into a two- or even three-story module, reaching treetops.
The architectural design studio was founded in 2020 by Arseniy Timofeyev, who won Estonia’s Young Scholars grant, allowing him to study at the Glasgow School of Art.
Alongside his main passion for architecture and design, Arseniy Timofeyev has a strong interest in linguistics. He speaks English, Estonian, Russian, French, and Japanese, and is currently learning Mandarin.
The DesignEuropa Awards aim to highlight design works in the industrial sector, with awards presented in the following categories:
- Entrepreneurs and Small Companies
- Industry
- Next Generation Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
This year’s six finalists in the Entrepreneurs and Small Companies and Industry categories represent various European countries (Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Romania, and Sweden), covering a wide range of industries, including healthcare, audio devices, household appliances, energy storage, housing, and architecture. Designs entered into the competition come from well-known brands like Bang & Olufsen, Linet, and Meze Audio, as well as newcomers like Arsenit, MyGrid, and Transparent. All products emphasize sustainability, setting new standards in the design industry.