Kazerne design Award 2025 nominees

Antonia Schreiber Wins Kazerne Design Award 2025 with Circular Plaster Material

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. 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.

See for Yourself

For more in-dept information about the work of the nominees click here. 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. For opening hours and address, click here.