Eindhoven – What if cow manure isn't a problem but a valuable resource? Designer Antonia Vincenza Schreiber turned that idea into action with her project Local Shit, earning her the Kazerne Design Award 2025. Her water-resistant plaster material addresses both manure surplus and CO₂ emissions in the construction sector, convincing the jury unanimously.
Her recipe, inspired by ancient building techniques and shared as open source, is now part of an interdisciplinary research led by biomimicry architect Lydia Fraaije. Students from engineering, animal sciences, chemistry, and sustainable materials are exploring further applications. The next step? A digital platform to share recipes and knowledge. The jury looks forward to the project's continuation and pledges support where possible.
Local Shit was one of ten impressive, engaged, and promising projects by recent graduates of Design Academy Eindhoven, nominated for the annual encouragement award. The winner receives, in addition to eternal fame and an exhibition at Kazerne, a €5,000 prize, made possible by Rotary Club Eindhoven-Soeterbeeck. All based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Schreiber: "My mind is already overflowing with ideas on how to use this money to further develop Local Shit and increase its impact. This is not only possible through funding but also through all the attention you're generating. Thank you for giving me this platform and opening up all these new opportunities."
New generation, new future
How does the young generation of designers shape and give meaning to the ongoing transformation of our increasingly complex world? What are their dreams—or fears—and how do they envision them? Through installations, performances, and material experiments—all personal stories that touch on societal themes. Intense, hopeful, playful, poetic, critical. Always with craftsmanship, creativity, and urgency.
The projects ranged from practical innovations to philosophical reflections. For instance, Katharina Ammann in collaboration with Disnovation.org, presented The Solar Share, a production lab for growing spirulina algae using solar energy, offering a new perspective on energy, economy, and ecology. Lilou Angelrath and Réiltín O’Hagan showcased Mnemotope Magazine, an inclusive publishing platform that collects diverse stories from around the world, challenging traditional literary norms. Kiki Astner critically examined the effectiveness of carbon offsetting through forest conservation in her project Tonne für Tonne, proposing alternative strategies based on scientific monitoring and local community engagement. Dana Elmi Sarabi's No Shoes on the Carpet reclaims the cultural significance of Persian carpets, transforming them into symbols of resistance and creativity within the Iranian diaspora. Kasia Łukaszuk's interactive game The Trust Paradox explores the evolving relationship between humans and technology, questioning our trust in AI systems. Céleste Muir's Precious Little Rocks turns ceramic glaze waste into contemporary gemstones, challenging perceptions of waste and value. Jules Péan's New Rocks creates new stones from industrial waste, mimicking geological processes to highlight sustainable material cycles. Lotte Schoots' I Spy … uses traditional wood imitation painting techniques to create patterns that blur the line between natural and artificial, prompting viewers to reconsider material authenticity. Ieva Valule's Y’all Got adHD immerses audiences in the chaotic reality of a graphic designer navigating ADHD in a productivity-obsessed society, using satire to critique cultural narratives around mental health. Together, these projects offer a rich and critical perspective on design as a tool for emancipation, speculation, and practical solutions for the world of tomorrow.
Awardshow
During the festive award show on May 13, the nominees presented their work live to the audience and jury. Moderator Jeroen Junte, journalist and founder of DesignDigger, praised the professionalism of their presentations:
"The common ground is storytelling. Each project imagines a better future in its own unique way. By dreaming, speaking, and inviting others to join in, that future comes closer."
Jury Report
The jury deliberation took longer than ever—an entire hour. “The bar was incredibly high,” said jury member Anne Ligtenberg. “All the nominees presented with courage and a strong voice.” In the end, it was the openness, applicability, and future potential of Local Shit that made the difference.
The jury consisted of designers Anne Ligtenberg (Bureau AM), Daphna Isaacs Burggraaf (Studio Daphna Laurens), Annemoon Geurts (Kazerne Foundation), and on behalf of the sponsor, Jan Hoorntje (Rotary Club Eindhoven-Soeterbeeck). They appreciated the diversity of disciplines and approaches: from solar energy to algorithms, from textiles and trust to design for neurodiversity.
Looking Back and Ahead
The 2024 winner, Martha Nash, looked back during the show:
“The Kazerne Design Award gave me confidence, a network, and quite literally, a workspace. With the prize money I bought a ceramic kiln and renovated a shed into a studio. I now study at the Royal College of Art in London, have exhibited in European galleries, and completed a residency. My advice to the nominees: make the most of every opportunity this network offers.”
Looking for a New Partner
2025 marks the third and final year that Rotary Club Eindhoven-Soeterbeeck financially supported the award. Kazerne Foundation is grateful for their involvement in supporting young design talent. To continue supporting the award and the development of new generations of designers, The Foundation is now looking for a new partner. Companies or foundations with a heart for creative talent and social impact are warmly invited to get in touch.
The 2025 Nominees
Katharina Ammann, Lilou Angelrath & Réiltín O’Hagan, Kiki Astner, Dana Elmi Sarabi, Kasia Łukaszuk, Céleste Muir, Jules Péan, Lotte Schoots, Antonia Vincenza Schreiber and Ieva Valule – all recent graduates of Design Academy Eindhoven.
See for Yourself?
The award show, including the presentations of all nominees, is available to watch on Kazerne's YouTube channel. The exhibition with works by the nominees and more is free to visit at Kazerne through the end of September.
