Hedgehog Večfunkcijski sušilnik by Bjorn Holte, Lachlan Dunn and Magne Bolstad

Hedgehog Večfunkcijski sušilnik by Bjorn Holte, Lachlan Dunn and Magne Bolstad is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Bronasta nagrada A' Design Award in Oblikovanje gospodinjskih aparatov Competition Category.

BronastaGospodinjski aparat· 2024

Hedgehog Večfunkcijski sušilnik

by Bjorn Holte, Lachlan Dunn and Magne Bolstad

Client: Hedgehog AS and Hedgehog Dryer Inc

Bronasta nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Gospodinjski aparat Category

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The Design

About Hedgehog Večfunkcijski sušilnik

Hedgehog je serija večfunkcijskih sušilnikov za čevlje, škornje, rokavice in opremo za športe na prostem. Sušilniki uporabljajo visoko zmogljiv ventilatorski sistem, razvit v sodelovanju z inženirji za hidroenergijo, ki na rotor in ohišje ventilatorja uporablja načela vodnih turbin. Nastali visokotlačni pretok zraka potiska topel zrak v tkanino in iz nje izrine vlago. Nastavljiva toplota ščiti občutljive materiale, ionska nastavitev pa zmanjšuje neprijeten vonj in bakterije. Preprost vmesnik omogoča upravljanje pretoka zraka, toplote in časovnika. Vsak jekleni izrastek je mogoče vklopiti ali izklopiti za usmerjanje zraka. Zamenljivi deli omogočajo daljšo uporabo.

The Recognition

About the Bronasta nagrada A' Design Award

Hedgehog Večfunkcijski sušilnik je prejemnik Bronaste nagrade A' Design Award, zelo prestižnega priznanja, ki se podeljuje izjemnim oblikovanjem, ki se odlikujejo po ustvarjalnosti, iznajdljivosti in bistrosti. Prejemniki Bronaste nagrade so v celoti spretni in presenetljivo ustvarjalni artefakti, ki potrjujejo bogate izkušnje, domišljijo in zvitost svojih oblikovalcev. Od Hedgehog Večfunkcijski sušilnik se pričakuje, da bo visoko cenjen, občudovan in ljubljen predmet, opazno profesionalen in inovativen. To oblikovanje, nagrajeno z Bronasto nagrado A' Design Award, vključuje najboljše prakse v umetnosti, znanosti, oblikovanju in tehnologiji ter je odlično po pozornosti do podrobnosti. Hedgehog Večfunkcijski sušilnik sijajno zadovoljuje potrebe, se dotika želja, očara čustva in vzbuja radovednost.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Hedgehog has created an innovative product series to revolutionize drying and organizing. The result is a more efficient and effective dryer for sports and outdoor gear. It has unique design, functionality, and performance relative to other dryers. Features include a high-quality design, a high-powered fan with quiet and tornado mode, adjustable heat for sensitive materials, ionic technology to remove odor and bacteria, increased fire safety, and replaceable parts for improved sustainability.
Dimensions & Packaging: The optimized Hedgehog Dryer fan delivers 105 cubic meters of hot air per hour with a pressure of 300 pascal. This is enough to heat up a small room or cabin. Energy consumption is low and goes from 35 to 750 watt, depending on the setting.

Depending on model, the sizes fully assembled are:
Width 22-33 cm x Depth 8.5-16.5 cm x Height 65-125 cm.

They also pack in a very compact way for shipping:
Wall and Hanger 22 cm x 18.2 cm x 28 cm, Octopus 22cm x 14.5 cm x 40 cm, Buddy 22 cm x 14.5 cm x 46 cm.
Tags: Hedgehog Dryer, boot dryer, shoe dryer, gear dryer, glove dryer
Production Technology: The dryer series introduces new technology to an existing problem to improve efficiency. To make a high-powered fan system that dries fast, the team worked with engineers from the Hydro Power Laboratory at NTNU in Norway and used the same technology as optimized water turbines. The team also designed everything – engine, impeller, housing and electronics – from the ground up. The result is an energy-efficient fan system with a drying time that is multiple times faster than similar dryers.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge has been combining efficient, effective technology with a sleek, functional design. Existing dryers often have relatively long drying times and basic functioning is often prioritized over product aesthetics. Hedgehog has sought to create products that are effective drying and organizing solutions that people will feel proud to feature in their homes. The goal is to have a rapid drying solution that ultimately enables people to be more active and spend more time outdoors.
Research: The team has qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrated that Hedgehog drying speed is faster than similar dryers during testing. For research, Hedgehog has collaborated with NTNU Hydro Power Laboratory engineers in Norway to optimize airflow. They have run tests to ensure the design is efficient and effective; it dries five times faster than most products on the market that were tested.
Inspiration: Widower and founder, Bjorn Holte, lost his wife to cancer and became single parent to three young children. Living in the snowy, rainy mountains of Norway, he quickly realized the daily challenge of keeping multiple pairs of gloves and boots dry and organized. After testing all the existing dryers, which were weak and ineffective with antiquated technology, he decided to reinvent the dryers, and Hedgehog Dryer is the result.
Project Duration: The project started in 2019 in Norway. The first version launched in retail stores across the Nordic region in the fall of 2021. The new Ionic i3 version that removes odor was released in 2023.
Operation Flow: The dryer has a user-friendly interface so a user can turn it on, adjust airflow, select heat, choose ionic odor remover setting, and set timer.

What makes this fan much faster is the impeller and the fan house, which together generate high-pressure air flow. Hot air is pushed into the fabric of the item being dried, and humidity is pushed out.

In addition, the dryer has various extensions for different drying needs. On/off switches for each steel spike help focus air where needed most.
Patents: Trademark: Hedgehog, registered in US, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea.
Patents: 1 utility, 6 design patents. Registered in same markets.
Team Members: Inventor and CEO: Bjorn Holte
Lead designer: Lachlan Dunn, LDDG
Lead engineer: Magne Bolstad, Bolstad Consulting
External designer: Vidar Pedersen, Sno Design
Image Credits: In house production.