▲ “Condensing Hydro Furnace” and “Condensing Air Conditioner” won the finalist awards at the International Design Excellence Awards

[September 19, 2023] As the “comfortable living partner,” KD Navien earned the honor of finalist awards at the U.S. “International Design Excellence Awards” for five of its products. The products awarded consist of the “Condensing Hydro Furnace,” “Condensing Air Conditioner,” “Navien 3D Air Hood,” “Carboncore Heated Mattress Pad,” and “Water Treatment System,” all praised for designs tailored to create optimal living conditions.

Hosted by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the “International Design Excellence Awards” ranks among the world’s top three design awards alongside Germany’s “iF Design Award” and “Red Dot Design Award.” The finalist awards were selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of design innovation, user experience, and social impact, and KD Navien saw all five of their submitted products targeting the global HVAC market win the finalist awards.

First of all, a representative product is the “Condensing Hydro Furnace (NPF),” an ambitious product designed to capture a share of North America’s main heating market, estimated at 4.7 million units annually. Unlike conventional products that rely on combustion exhaust to heat the air, this product utilizes warm water to heat the air, effectively addressing safety concerns related to harmful gases while delivering comfortable, non-drying air. KD Navien transformed these technical features into design elements. Inspired by a healthy human body temperature, a 36.5° diagonal line’s applied, enhancing visual harmony with installation spaces.

The “Condensing Air Conditioner,” set to spark eco-friendly trends in the cooling market, also received positive acclaim for its design. The “Condensing Air Conditioner” is an all-in-one air care solution, integrating cooling, ventilation, air purification, and dehumidification. Leveraging condensing technology and heat byproducts from district heating systems, this unit cuts electricity costs by roughly 42% to enhance energy efficiency. Designed with smooth curves, the ‘Condensing Air Conditioner’ minimizes height gaps with the ceiling, harmonizing effortlessly with interior settings to convey fresh air comfort.

KD Navien incorporated user-friendly, space-adaptable design elements in the “Navien 3D Air Hood.” By creating an air curtain to prevent the spread of harmful substances during cooking, the product's restrained lines help it blend naturally into the kitchen. To suit modern interior trends, matte stainless steel and cream-white colors provide a luxurious, soothing ambiance. The “Carboncore Heated Mattress Pad” also reflects a design tailored to provide an optimal sleep environment. With a soothing fabric texture and neutral tones, the “Carboncore Heated Mattress Pad” features a hidden display that lights up only when making adjustments to ensure an undisturbed sleep experience and the best sleep experience.

The “Water Treatment System” set for North American release also earned a finalist award. Using proprietary technology by electricity, the system removes minerals such as calcium and magnesium from household water, addressing issues of high-salinity wastewater generated by conventional salt-based products. The water treatment system is designed by KD Navien for compatibility with a variety of North American plumbing setups. The display and control buttons are inclined for ease of use, catering to typical installations on garage or basement floors.

“It’s an honor to have each of our entries achieve such favorable outcomes at a world-class awards ceremony, affirming our unique design approach,” said Kim Yong-bum, Chief Sales and Marketing Executive. He further added, “Moving forward, we will strive to deliver designs that bring harmony between technology and living spaces.”