Continental and nobilia win iF Design Award 2026 for forward-looking concept kitchen

• The kitchen of the future, themed “Evolution of Senses – Feel. Connect. Inspire.”, receives the iF Design Award in the Product Design discipline, category Kitchen
• From the car to the kitchen: ContiTech Surface Solutions transfers translucent and hidden functional surfaces into the home environment

Hanover, Germany, May 21, 2026. The Continental group sector ContiTech, together with its project partner nobilia, is a winner of the renowned iF Design Award 2026. The award honors the jointly developed kitchen of the future, “Evolution of Senses – Feel. Connect. Inspire.”, which impressed the jury with its unique interplay of material innovation, functional surfaces and integrated technology. In its statement, the jury also highlighted the outstanding material quality and intuitive user guidance.

The award is one of the world’s most important distinctions for outstanding design quality and is presented annually by iF International Forum Design GmbH. With more than 10,000 submissions from 68 countries, it ranks among the world’s most prestigious design competitions. The concept kitchen was first presented in September 2025 at the nobilia in-house exhibition.

nobilia and ContiTech received the award in the Product Design discipline, category Kitchen. With this decision, the iF jury of design experts recognizes the innovative strength of the concept kitchen. It opens up entirely new possibilities at the interface of design and functionality by transferring technologies that until now have primarily been known from the interiors of new premium-class passenger vehicles.

To achieve this, the ContiTech Surface Solutions business area used translucent surfaces and integrated displays that are only visible when in use and otherwise appear seamlessly as part of the design surface. In their inactive state, the functional surfaces are invisible and indistinguishable from the rest of the surface, such as a countertop. The functional surface only becomes active and visible when users need the respective functions.

“What makes this kitchen outstanding is the combination of high utility value and exceptional design,” says Ralf Imbery, Head of Marketing and Strategy in the Surface Solutions business area. “The question of whether form follows function or the other way around does not arise here – they are mutually dependent. We are extremely proud that we have succeeded so well in integrating these functionalities in a completely new environment.”

The integrated functionalities concealed within the fitted kitchen include inductive charging for smartphones, heating and cooling zones for keeping food and beverages warm or cool, touch control panels, a scale and even a full screen that is hidden behind a translucent decorative film with a wood look and only appears when activated. This is made possible by translucent surfaces.

This translucence is also used for aesthetic purposes, for example when the refrigerator door lights up in changing patterns as the surface is backlit and allows light to pass through in specific designs.

“This award shows how important the long-standing and trust-based relationships with our customers are,” says Stephan Weisgerber, Head of the LivTec business segment at Continental. “Only in a strong team with nobilia is it possible to work on such bold innovations and move our industry forward. We are also pleased that the jury highlights material quality alongside user guidance and design. Our materials not only support our customers’ design concepts – they are also durable and easy to care for.”

About the iF DESIGN AWARD

Since 1954, the iF Design Award has been a globally recognized trademark for excellence in design. It honors achievements in product design, communication, architecture, interior architecture, UX, UI and service design.