Better Shelter wins

The Beazley Design of the Year is a social enterprise that tackles the issue of the moment: providing shelter in exceptional situations caused by wars and natural disasters.

The ninth Beazley Design of the Year promoted by the Design Museum in London awards the Better Shelter project by Johan Karlsson and IKEA Foundation, for its contribution towards the global issue of population displacement.

Johan Karlsson, Better Shelter, Beazley Design of the Year 2016, Design Museum London

Better Shelter is a social enterprise driven by a mission to improve the lives of people displaced by armed conflicts and natural disasters, which is the issue of the moment. Aiming to improve and lead emergency and temporary shelter innovation, it continuously develops its products together with partners, customers and, most importantly, the people who live in the shelters. The aim is to create a safer, more dignified home away from home for millions who are displaced across the world.

Johan Karlsson, Better Shelter, Beazley Design of the Year 2016, Design Museum London. Photo Jonas Nyström
Johan Karlsson, Better Shelter, Beazley Design of the Year 2016, Design Museum London. Photo Jonas Nyström


Better Shelter, Sweden
Program: temporary shelter
Design: Johan Karlsson – Head of Business Development and Interim Managing Director
Team: Dennis Kanter, Christian Gustafsson, John van Leer, Tim de Haas
Partnership: IKEA, UNHCR
Prize: Beazley Design of the Year, Design Museum, London
Year: 2016