Xpan 2 Primary Function: Inkweto z'Akazi by Francis Lacroix is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu in Ibikoresho Birinda Umubiri Competition Category.
ZahabuIbikoresho Birinda Umubiri· 2026
Xpan 2 Primary Function: Inkweto z'Akazi
Client: Royer
Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu Winner in Ibikoresho Birinda Umubiri Category
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The Design
About Xpan 2 Primary Function: Inkweto z'Akazi
Book Text: Inkweto Xpan 2.0 zifite imiterere y'ikirenge ihindura byose, yubatswe ku bw'ibidukikije bikaze byo gutunganya ibyuma, aho kurinda ubushyuhe n'imikorere yoroheje bigomba kubaho hamwe. Ikirenge cyazo cya kijyambere kirwanya ubushyuhe, gutereruka, no gukururwa mu bidukikije by'inganda bifite ibyago byinshi. Igikonoshwa cya rubber kirwanya ubushyuhe n'umuriro kikikije hagati y'ikirenge cy'urukuta rwa polyurethane, gikora urukuta rukomeye rurinda ubushyuhe rutabuze kwakira umutuku cyangwa kongera uburemere. Igisubizo gishyiraho urwego rushya mu nkweto zirinda umutekano ku byuma byashongeshejwe.
The Recognition
About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu
Xpan 2 Primary Function: Inkweto z'Akazi ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo biri ku rwego rwa mbere, bitangaje kandi by'indashyikirwa. Abegukanye Zahabu ni ibihangano birimo udushya twinshi, bifite icyerekezo kandi bimurika, bigaragaza impano, ubwenge n'ubuhanga bw'ababihanze. Xpan 2 Primary Function: Inkweto z'Akazi biteganyijwe ko izaba igihangano gishimwa cyane, gishyiraho imigendekere mishya kandi gitanga agaciro katigeze kaboneka. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Zahabu ni umushinga utangaje kandi wubahwa ugura imbibi z'ubuhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga. Xpan 2 Primary Function: Inkweto z'Akazi itera ibyifuzo bikomeye, ikangura ishyaka, ishishikariza guhanga kandi igatwara imitima yacu.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The sole is designed in a way to encapsulate the quasi-totality of the polyurethane midsole by the heat and flame resistant rubber outsole leaving only a slight contour. Thus, offering a lighter and highly shock absorbing sole all the while providing maximal foot protection and durability.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- A US size 9.0 (42 EU) pair has an approximate height of 200 mm and is built on an ergonomic shoelast designed to closely follow the natural morphology of the foot, ensuring fit precision and comfort. Each pair is packaged in a rectangular box measuring approximately 200 x 200 x 100 mm. The packaging, made from recycled and recyclable cardboard, protects the product from factory to end user.
- Tags
- Work boot, Safety boot, Cold Weather Protection, outsole technology, extreme job sites, Metatarsal Protection, Industrial Design
- Production Technology
- The design process began with exploratory hand sketches to define proportions, functional zones and visual identity. Concepts were refined using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop) to develop precise renderings and material simulations. A detailed technical drawing was then produced to guide tooling and upper manufacturing. A comprehensive tech pack ensured accurate translation of design intent into production.
- Design Challenge
- The most complex challenge was achieving resistance to molten metal, particularly full immersion in liquid aluminum exceeding 1,000°C. Aluminum’s very low viscosity allows rapid penetration, making material selection and upper construction highly critical. The difficulty was intensified by bonding the upper to a rubber outsole through polyurethane injection, a material sensitive to heat above 150°C. Balancing extreme thermal protection with manufacturability required extensive experimentation and process control.
- Research
- Type of Research: Experimental product R&D following a five-phase Stage-Gate methodology. Research Objectives: Improve protection, comfort, and durability in molten metal environments. Methodology: Define measurable performance criteria and validate materials against them. Data Collection and Tools: Iterative lab testing on weight, slip resistance, molten metal splash and aluminum bath immersion. Participants: Internal R&D and manufacturing teams. Results: Measurable gains across all parameters. Insights and Impacts: Enhanced safety standards, industrial reliability, and long-term value for high-risk metal processing sectors.
- Inspiration
- The sole design draws inspiration from the aerodynamic geometry of the CF-105 Arrow developed by Avro Canada. Its triangular wing structure and directional arrow motifs informed the tread’s dynamic chevron pattern, engineered to enhance forward traction and stability. The project merges aerospace precision with industrial safety research, translating principles of thrust, grip, and structural resilience into a high-performance work boot outsole.
- Project Duration
- The project started in January 2023 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, and was completed in December 2025. The three-year development cycle included the Definition, Design, Prototyping, and Production Implementation phases. The product was officially launched in January 2026. A continuous Monitoring and Feedback phase has been ongoing since market introduction to ensure long-term performance optimization.
- Operation Flow
- The Xpan 2.0 boot improves upon previous generations in every critical aspect. It offers higher resistance to molten metal splash, enhanced slip protection on certified test surfaces, reduced weight, improved ergonomic fit, and greater durability against abrasion and tearing. Each performance parameter was tested and validated, demonstrating measurable progress over the previous model, already recognized as a global benchmark in primary and secondary metal processing environments.
- Team Members
- Sponsor: Simon La Rochelle
Innovation Director: Francis Lacroix
Product Developer: Vincent Blais
Project Manager: Elyzabeth Bouchard
Operations Director: Etienne Sirois
Production Technician: Brittaney La Penna
Production Technician: Simon Turk
Technical Partner: Benedetto Scarnera (SFB Srl)
Technical Partner: Felice Scarnera (SFB Srl)
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