Brussels public transport company MIVB/STIB has won two awards at the prestigious ‘Red Dot Design Award’. The transport company won awards for designing its new TNG tram and M7 metro inspired by the curves of Art Nouveau, an art movement inextricably linked to Brussels.

The New Generation Tram (TNG) and the M7 metro, whose design was signed by Antwerp-based agency Yellow Window Design, were awarded in the ‘product design’ category. Designer Axel Enthoven’s agency also designed trams 3000 and 4000, M6 metros, and the latest buses.

Yellow Window

“These two awards are an international recognition of the importance the Brussels public transport company attaches to the design of all vehicles in its fleets from its inception,” said MIVB/STIB.

The focus on design is also reflected in MIVB/STIB’s new advertising and information displays at station entrances, which will soon have a fresh look inspired by Art Nouveau.

Award beast

The Art Nouveau ‘look’ of the T3000 and T4000 trams (TNG’s predecessors) already received Design Flanders’ prestigious Henry Van de Velde label in 2007. The company recalls that this generation of trams also won the Design At Work Award for its elegant lines, color composition, and original lighting.

The Red Dot Design Award is an international prize for product design, communication, and concepts, awarded by Design Zentrum, Germany.