Hyundai Elevator announced the winners of the idea contest held in six countries, including Korea, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Türkiye, last August under the topic, 'Smart Elevator in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution,' on November 30.

A total of 347 teams (individuals) participated in this contest, where various applicants, including children, ordinary people, and professional designers, came up with future elevators based on novel ideas. A total of 6 gold medal-winning designs by country were △Gat-Ple (Choi Gyu-jin/Korea) △Suying (素影, Zhao Changhai·Liu Lei/China) △National Concept Design (Eka Olia Ru Meter•Kilda Heolambang/Indonesia) △Disco (Le Thi Hai Duong•Nguyen Dao Tu Linh/Vietnam) △The Floating Bunga Raya (Mohd Nizam•Sujitan Binhti/Malaysia) △ Layer In Mood (Saner Ozturkler/Türkiye) (* See attached photo and commentaries). Approximately KRW 135 million in prize money will be given to a total of 99 teams (individuals), including domestic gold medal winners (prize money of KRW 10 million) and overseas gold prize winners (5 countries, USD 4,000 each).

Hyundai Elevator CEO Cho Jae-cheon said, "Participants from all walks of life in major countries submitted various and novel ideas. We could see the users' keen interest in elevators. We expect the contest will serve as a vital momentum for us to expand the global market to become the global top 5 by 2030."

The entries attracted attention with their designs by using the characteristics of each country. The Chinese gold medal-winning entry 'Suying,' meaning white shadow, sensuously expressed bamboo and grille patterns by directing light and shadow in the elevator space. Indonesia’s 'National Concept Design' encompassed the internationally recognized sentiment of Indonesian handicrafts, while Malaysia’s 'The Floating Bunga Raya' embodied the national flower hibiscus into the elevator design.

Internet of Things (IoT), multimedia, and DIY (products that allow consumers to make things themselves) was also among the main trends in the contest. Korea's gold prize-winning 'Gat-Ple (Gather and Play)' provides content like personalized information and mood-changing games by linking the streamlined display on the elevator ceiling with the users' smartphones. Vietnam's gold prize-winning 'Disco' connects the platform and the inside of the elevator with LED floors. The designs were highly regarded for providing passengers with a new experience and a space to communicate.

Meanwhile, 'Layer in Mood,' a gold prize-winning entry from Türkiye, presented the possibility of user-led design with a modular interior system and received good reviews in the creativity and realism categories.

Team Lead Kim Tae-hwan at Hyundai Elevator Design Research Center said, "We were able to check what ordinary citizens, our actual customers, expect from elevators in the gradually strengthening consumer-driven market. It was a valuable opportunity to understand the need for a wider design spectrum from the user's point of view."

[Attachment] Images of gold award winners by country and six jury commentaries, list of gold and silver award winners by country

[Attachment 1] Korea’s gold award-winning entry Gat-Ple (Choi Gyu-jin)

The idea of providing various conveniences to passengers through a shape that breaks away from typical angular elevators is novel and outstanding. The suggestion of the possibility of evolution in the elevator shape and the idea of considering customer experience (UX•User Experience) are highly appreciated. 

[Attachment 2] China’s gold-award winning entry Suying (素影, Zhao Changhai·Liu Lei)

The soft and sensuous mood unique to China revived through the directing of light and shadow was impressive. The idea of reinterpreting the internal lighting of the elevator is highly appreciated.

[Attachment 3] Indonesia’s gold-award winning entry National Concept Design (Eka Olia Ru Meter•Kilda Heolambang)

The beautiful design using patterns expressing the country's unique characteristics received good reviews. The sentiment of the world-renown Indonesian handicraft incorporated into the elevator and interpreted is particularly impressive. 

[Attachment 4] Vietnam’s gold award-winning entry Disco (Le Thi Hai Duong•Nguyen Dao Tu Linh)

The novel idea of allowing passengers to have a new experience in the elevator and interact with people received good reviews. The new possibilities presented by connecting the platform and the inside of the elevator stand out. 

[Attachment 5] Malaysia’s gold award-winning entry The Floating Bunga Raya (Mohd Nizam•Sujitan Binhti)

The entry's reinterpretation and creative formation of the hibiscus, the flower symbolizing the country, into an elevator shape and the high level of quality were impressive. The work reflects a contemporary take and ideas while making good use of symbolism. 

[Attachment 6] Türkiye’s gold award-winning entry Layer In Mood (Saner Ozturkler)

The unique interior created differently through the modularization concept is impressive. In particular, the work shows the possibility of designs reflecting user-driven sentiments, showing outstanding creativity and reality.