The trophy design is an opportunity for our team to craft a meaningful object that is more than a symbol of recognition; it is a powerful moment with the winners. The moment when the trophy is handed to the recipient is a celebration and a reflection on the time, care and relentless effort in taking their ideas to reality.

Our 2025 design builds on the legacy of previous INDE.Awards trophies created by Tilt, featuring a refined sculptural form that pays homage to the rawness of brass, celebrating the materiality with honesty and simplicity. Designed by Tilt’s industrial designer, Anthony Franco, the trophy is inspired by the ripples of black sand found on Waipipi Beach in New Zealand. As sand takes the shape of its environment, it can also be self-supporting and serve as a structure—this trophy stands proud and celebratory, while being quiet and understated.

Inspired by sand, each grain represents the individual elements in architecture that are often unseen but make a vital contribution to the finished form. The contrast of the textured interior against the tumbled exterior sheen echoes the vast thinking and planning that occurs behind the scenes in architectural projects. Cast in brass, the trophy showcases durability and depth, and carries both weight and presence. Individually poured, hand-finished and polished, each trophy is unique with varied marks from the individual artisan hands involved in creating each trophy.

Each year, we partner with Indesign to craft the INDE.Awards trophy — a process we see as a journey of imagination, creativity, and respect for the industry’s finest. For us, the trophy is more than an object; it’s a lasting artefact that weaves together the stories of the award-winning designs and our own journey in shaping an idea to bring the trophy to life. Living on in the studios of the recipients, the trophies stand as a symbol of achievement, creativity, and connection, and we’re honoured to be part of these enduring stories.

Anthony Franco, Industrial Designer

“For this design, I was deeply inspired by the perseverance required in all aspects of a successful project. Even in the small and often unseen parts of the design and construction process. The hollow form of the design allows the recipient to view the inside of the product, which is designed to resemble the naturally self-organising architecture of untouched sand. The pattern emphasizes the beauty in architectures that are pure and purposeful in design. Where each and every element, like a grain of sand, is essential to supporting the completed architecture.”