Enea has received the 2022 National Design Award

The Basque firm Enea has received the 2022 National Design Award. This is the highest recognition for the design industry at national level. It is awarded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation to acknowledge the work of professionals and companies that have greatly contributed to increasing the prestige of Spanish design. Among the many reasons that have led to this award, the Spanish government states that it is in recognition "of a four-decade journey as a solid national and international reference in furniture design".

Innovation, durable manufacturing, contemporary design, and sustainability are some of Enea’s hallmarks. This is a brand that has been part of the history of Spanish design since the 1980s. As managing director Juan Saenz de Argandoña states, “Enea represents a unique milestone in Spanish design, as it was created -and continues to work- as a cooperative. A brand in which the team members are also the owners of the project. With all the social elements that this implies”.

Enea was created in Guipuzcoa (Basque Country) in 1984, with a mission to design and manufacture furniture inspired by people’s lives, and it’s part of the MONDRAGON Equipment Division. Since then, the company has been committed to designing and manufacturing solid, contemporary, and sustainable furniture for all types of public and private spaces, ranging from homes to restaurants, offices, educational establishments, and hospitals, among others.

Enea’s commitment to design, innovation, and sustainability has led to collaborations with designers such as Alberto Lievore (1999 National Design Award), Josep Llusca (1990 National Design Award), and Gabriel Teixido. These great designers have helped position the Spanish firm as one of the European leaders in design furniture for both the home and collective facilities. Enea’s latest collections bear the signature of Estudi Manel Molina.

Enea’s designs have achieved great international recognition, and its collections have helped furnish numerous facilities around the world. Enea exports 89% of its total turnover to 42 countries across the five continents. Some of its most emblematic projects include exhibition and conference centres in Bilbao, Logroño, Malaga and Marbella; the Central Park Mall in Sydney (Australia); the Rabobank premises in Breda (the Netherlands); Nishogakusha University in Tokyo (Japan); Singapore University of Technology & Design; and the Pinterest offices in San Francisco (USA). More than 200,000 pieces of furniture leave Enea’s industrial facilities every year.

Enea’s furniture stands out for its versatility, durability, ergonomics, functionality, and comfort. It is the result of intensive research carried out by the brand’s R&D&I department. This work has resulted in collections such as Lottus (2010 Good Design Award) and Eina, by Josep Llusca. The brand has already sold more than two million pieces of the latter worldwide.

In its nearly 40 years of commitment to design, Enea’s catalogue has been a succession of creative ideas, including new materials, technical innovations, and new uses for its wide range of products. Starting with chairs for large facilities, the brand has been expanding its catalogue to also include pieces for the home, such as Kaiak, as well as outdoor furniture; a good example being its Street collection. Every year, Enea launches new products that feature some added value from a technical and design perspective. This year, its latest designs, the Lore and Mate chairs, and the Taber table, were presented at the Milan fair. 

Sustainability is present in all the production processes of Enea, a firm located deep within the natural landscape of the Goierri region. This commitment to the natural environment, which involves optimising all of the available resources, has resulted in the attainment of certifications such as ISO 14006, ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and Indoor Advantage Gold.