Press Release
Stoa Chess Set by Fabian Haydt Wins the Golden A' Design Award in Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design
Fabian Haydt honored for toys, games and hobby products design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 25, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the Golden A' Design Award in the Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design category for Stoa Chess Set by Fabian Haydt, designed for Svarv Studio. The recognition forms part of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The Golden A' Design Award Explained
The Gold A' Design Award is granted to designs that demonstrate a high level of innovation and a significant impact on their intended audience. Recognized as a major achievement by the A' Design Awards, these designs are characterized by their visionary approach and the exceptional skill of their creators. Winners of the Gold A' Design Award are noted for their ability to push the envelope in art, science, design, and technology, delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. These designs serve as benchmarks for excellence, encouraging further innovation and inspiring future generations of designers.
More About Stoa Chess Set
Stoa is a chess set designed to be minimal without distracting from the character of each piece. While many minimal sets abstract forms to the point of obscuring them, Stoa preserves recognizability and focus. Crafted from recycled aluminum with a glass bead blasted finish, each piece is weighted for optimal balance, offering a precise, tactile, and premium experience, equally suited as a display piece in refined architectural settings or for immersive gameplay.
About Fabian Haydt
svarv studio is founded in Paris, France, where design, craft and narrative converge with intention and precision. Originally founded as a media design studio, it has evolved over time into a focused product design practice with a particular emphasis on interior design pieces. Rather than being defined by singular achievements, the studio is shaped by an ongoing pursuit of quality and clarity. Every project becomes a dialogue between material, context and vision, resulting in pieces that feel both timeless and distinctive.
Award Record
This recognition makes Fabian Haydt a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award
The A' Toy Design Award is an international toy design competition recognizing good toy designs by best toy designers, manufacturers and brands worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to toy designers, game studios, industrial designers and hobby product manufacturers from all countries. Typical entries include dolls, action figures, board games, puzzles, plush toys and educational toys. The awarded toy designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/toy
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/180611
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/180611
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!180611
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/379411
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
###
Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Stoa Chess Set
- Function
- Chess Set
- Category
- Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design
- Discipline
- Industrial Design
- Industry
- Kids
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Svarv Studio
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Fabian Haydt
- Country
- France
- Recognition
- Golden A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #180611
Credits
- Image Credits
- Svarv Studio
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- Stoa is defined by a careful balance between reduction and recognition. Each chess piece is simplified to its essential geometry while preserving a clear identity.
- Inspiration
- Stoa draws inspiration from Scandinavian design principles such as clarity, balance and calm visual expression. The goal was to create chess pieces that feel natural in modern interiors while still respecting the traditional language of the game. Architectural forms, simple geometry and restrained proportions influenced the design language.
- Research
- The development process focused on refining proportions and improving visual clarity. Special attention was given to how players recognize pieces during fast gameplay. Multiple prototype stages helped test form, balance, and ergonomics until a clear and consistent design language was achieved.
- Challenge
- The main challenge was to design a minimal chess set that remains easy to read during a game. Reducing each piece while preserving its identity required many iterations. The Knight in particular demanded extensive experimentation to achieve a recognizable character within a simplified form. The project also involved learning the full development process, from early concept sketches to prototyping and final production methods.
- Realization and Technology
- All pieces are CNC-machined from solid recycled aluminum. After machining, the surfaces are polished and treated with a fine glass bead-blasting process to achieve a uniform matte texture. The pieces are then anodized for durability. Internal brass weights and leather base pads are assembled manually to ensure precision and quality.
- Operation and Interaction
- Stoa embraces minimalism, allowing players to focus fully on the game. Each piece is easily recognizable and comfortable to hold, with weighted bases and leather pads for stability. Its clear, uncluttered forms prevent distraction, making moves precise and enjoyable. The premium finish enhances both visual appeal and tactile experience, creating a more immersive and satisfying chess experience.
- Project Duration and Location
- Designed in Paris, Stoa is manufactured in Germany.
- Specifications
- King 68 mm H, Queen 62 mm H, Bishop 58 mm H, Knight 52 mm H, Rook 47 mm H, Pawn 32 mm H. Board: 280 mm × 280 mm.
- Keywords
- chess, chess set, minimal, modern, product design, scandinavian, design
