GIO Recognition and Special Award for charging system Ostra

Charging system Ostra, that we designed and developed together with our client NRG2050, did win both a GIO recognition and a GIO Special Award in the category Functionality. Special Awards are awarded to products that stand out in one of the six judgement criteria for good industrial design.

This is the opinion of the professional jury:
The Special Award for Functionality goes to the Ostra charging system, a design by design agency npk design from Leiden. According to jury member Hans Robertus, it’s functional but simple design should be the benchmark for all products within the new reality of electric driving.

Ostra: smart, innovative charging system for electric cars
Ostra has a standard online portal that works like a user dashboard. Ostra is also equipped with BlueMarble software. This facilitates smart energy and charging management, as well as dynamic load balancing strategies.

Current charging points for car brands that produce electric cars tend to be an extension of the car’s design language. NRG2050 aims to develop one universal charging point for all brands and types of car.
We started the project with a design study to search for a new archetype for the total electric vehicle charging market. Together with the founders of NRG2050 we looked at many proposals and concept ideas before we chose for a design that is a playful reference to the classic plug socket.
We then designed an entire product line with modular and flexible charging solutions for homes, buildings, car parks and public areas, including both built-in and freestanding charging points.

Ostra has a modular built-up, which means that all components can be taken out. Charging point technology is located in one component, the Perla (which literally means pearl). Should there be a fault, the user can remove the entire Perla from the charging station easily. The Perla is sent back to the supplier, who simply sends a new one: a unique service concept which enables quick problem resolving.

About GIO Awards organisation 2020
2020 is a special year for the GIO Awards organisation. Due to all Covid-19 measures only a ligh edition could take place. The winners were announced during a virtual Dutch Design Week. There is a special 3d showroom linked to the DDW platform where visitors can see all award winning designs.