The Judges Awards

02.1 Thomas Heatherwick

Thomas Heatherwick tends to defy categorisation as a designer, as do his works. His UK Pavilion for this year's Shanghai Expo, the truly remarkable Seed Cathedral (see Best New Public Building), melds art and architecture. His 'Spun' chair -- originally created in copper and steel for Haunch of Venison using a metal spinning process that's traditionally applied to drum-making, and then 'respun' in a rippled, moulded plastic version for Magis -- looks more like an art installation than a chair. And his 'Extrusions' collection of aluminium benches, using aeronautical technology, is pure sculpture. Heatherwick Studio 'exists to make extraordinary projects happen'.

Company: Heatherwick Studio

Established: 1994

Based: London

Key projects 2010: UK Pavilion for Shanghai Expo; 'Spun' chairs for Haunch of Venison and Magis; 'Extrusions' benches; planning granted for the biomass-fuelled Teesside Power Station; design for a new London bus unveiled

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