Pilkington Vehicle Design Awards

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Flavien Dachet, 24, from France, won the Best Design Interpretation award for his Kioa sail boat, a mobile hotel for eco-tourists travelling around the Fiji Islands, incorporating extensive glazing in the hull for underwater viewing.

Awards judge Earl Beckles, from Land Rover Design, said: "Flavien’s sail boat was an outstanding concept, and importantly, a very complete project.

"He had considered the social context of his design and blended beauty and functionality perfectly with a very sophisticated design that was also feasible."

The prize for Best Use of Glazing went to 24-year-old Teresa Mendicino for her Guell sports car, featuring a multi-coloured glass roof inspired by the spectacular church windows in her home city of Rome.



Presenting the award, David Wilkie, design director at Stile Bertone, said the glazing had "that 'wow' factor".



He added: "The use of different coloured mosaic glass is not something I have ever seen before, and it was a visually outstanding idea. Teresa’s idea is also very workable as she consulted with Pilkington to ensure her design could work in practice."



The awards mark the 20th anniversary of the vehicle design partnership between Pilkington and the Royal College of Art and the 40th anniversary of the RCA's vehicle design course.



Chris Hanley, global marketing manager at Pilkington Automotive, said: "Over the years we have been very impressed with the quality of the designs and the imagination demonstrated by the students. This year was no exception."