Felton Industries’ Tow & Fold Recognised in the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards

October 9, 2026 – Tow & Fold has been recognised in the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards, Australia’s longest-running international design awards, for excellence in design, innovation and impact.

This year’s Awards are presented under the theme Design that Leads – celebrating the critical role of design in navigating complexity, driving innovation and creating positive change.

At a time of unprecedented social, environmental and technological change, this year’s theme recognises that good design is more than an outcome, it is a powerful way of thinking, imagining and acting. It challenges us to question what is, envision what could be and design better products, services, places and systems for people and planet.

Among this year’s Award Winners is Tow & Fold, which received a prestigious 2026 Australian Good Design Award Winner in the Product Design Furniture and Lighting category.

Project Details and Jury Comments:

Project: Tow & Fold

Designed in: Australia

Designed by: Felton Industries, Vitruvium

Commissioned by: Felton Industries Limited

Jury Comments:

“The Jury recognises the Tow & Fold Grandstand as an exemplary solution to portable spectator seating, delivering rapid deployment and high-capacity infrastructure where permanent options are limited. The design demonstrates comprehensive consideration across multiple stakeholders, from quick setup capabilities to thoughtful safety details including visual guidance through accent colours on handrails and pathways. The Jury was impressed by the elegant engineering that enables controlled hydraulic deployment while maintaining structural integrity, and commends the empathetic approach to user, manufacturer and contractor needs. This innovative system addresses a significant gap in the market, providing councils, schools and sporting communities with flexible, durable seating that supports regional access and community participation in events. Well done.”

The 2026 Australian Good Design Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday 9 October at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, bringing together more than 1,000 guests from across design, architecture, engineering, business, government and the wider creative industries.

The Ceremony will celebrate the very best in contemporary design and reveal the recipients of the Good Design Award Best in Discipline, Special Accolades, the Good Design Award for Sustainability, and the Australian Good Design Award of the Year – the nation’s highest design honour.

Good Design Australia Managing Director Rachel Wye said the range of projects recognised in 2026 reflected the role design now plays across the economy and community.

“Design is an important economic and social capability. It influences the products we create, the services we rely on, the policies we develop and the way organisations respond to complex problems,” Ms Wye said.

“This year’s Award winners are addressing energy costs, healthcare, environmental degradation, artificial intelligence, disaster preparedness, accessibility and community wellbeing.

“Australia has an extraordinary design community and an opportunity to use that capability to strengthen our economy, improve lives and build industries that can compete internationally.”

Felton Industries Industrial Designer Meg Dortmans said the recognition reflected the innovative design and engineering behind Tow & Fold.

“Tow & Fold was designed to make high-capacity spectator seating easier to move, set up, and use while creating a safe and comfortable experience for spectators,” Ms Dortmans said.

“Every element was considered around how people would interact with the grandstand in real world environments, from the hydraulic deployment system and portability through to the safety features and spectator experience.

“This award is a great recognition of what Felton set out to achieve with Tow & Fold. We wanted to rethink what portable spectator seating could deliver, combining flexibility, rapid deployment, and high capacity in a solution designed for a wide range of events and environments.”

Setting the Global Benchmark for Design Excellence

The Australian Good Design Awards recognise excellence from around the world across 13 overarching design disciplines and more than30 categories, encompassing Built Environment, Communication Design, Concept Design, Digital Design, Design Research, Design Strategy, Engineering Design, Fashion and Textiles, Next Gen, Policy Design, Product Design, Service Design and Social Impact.

Every project is evaluated by an independent Jury of more than 100 Australian and international design experts against three core criteria: Good Design, Design Innovation and Design Impact.

Established in 1958, the Australian Good Design Awards are Australia’s longest-running international design awards and one of the world’s most respected design recognition programs.

For almost seven decades, the Awards have championed the transformative power of design and celebrated the designers, businesses and organisations using design to create a better future.

VIEW ALL 2026 AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS

– ENDS –

About the Australian Good Design Awards

Established in 1958 under the auspices of the Industrial Design Council of Australia, the Australian Good Design Awards are Australia’s longest-running international design awards program and have recognised excellence in design and innovation for more than six decades.

The Awards span 13 overarching design disciplines and more than 30 categories, encompassing Built Environment, Communication Design, Concept Design, Digital Design, Design Research, Design Strategy, Engineering Design, Fashion and Textiles, Next Gen, Policy Design, Product Design, Service Design and Social Impact.

About Good Design Australia

Good Design Australia is an international design promotion organisation responsible for managing the annual Australian Good Design Awards and other design programs, events and initiatives.

Its history dates to the establishment of the Industrial Design Council of Australia in 1958, which was funded by the Commonwealth Government and based on the UK Design Council model.

Good Design Australia promotes the importance and value of design to business, industry, government and the broader community.

As a Certified B Corp in the design industry, Good Design Australia is counted among businesses that are leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

good-design.org

About Felton

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of Australian-made premium aluminium outdoor furniture for schools, parks, councils, clubs, and organisations. Felton Industries has been supplying premium aluminium seating solutions for all organisations across Australia for more than 20 years. Its wide product range includes quality, Australian-made grandstands, tiered seating, bench seating, tables and chairs, shelters, bin enclosures, and change room furniture to suit every environment.

Felton Industries is ISO9001 accredited and an Approved Local Government Procurement Supplier in New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.