The challenge of modern design

Imagine that you are facing one of the most important decisions in the arrangement of your outdoor space. The bioclimatic pergola is intended not only to cover the terrace, but a real showcase of your home for the next dozen or so years. In catalogs and on websites, each manufacturer convinces that its product is “premium”, “luxury” and “top quality”. In this thicket of marketing slogans, how do you make the right decision?

“When we started looking for a pergola for our new home, we were completely lost,” admits Anna, an interior architect from Warsaw. “Every product seemed similar, each was advertised as the best. It wasn't until we took a closer look at the details and the finish that we began to see huge differences in quality.”

It is the detail that is the key element that distinguishes a truly premium product from a marketing blow. The problem is that most customers do not have the opportunity to make a detailed technical analysis or compare dozens of models from different manufacturers. And the stakes are high - after all, we are talking about an investment of several tens of thousands of zlotys.

“The biggest challenge for customers is that a pergola is a product that is not often bought,” explains Marek Kowalski, an experienced designer of outdoor spaces. “We don't have a reference point, we don't know the technical nuances, we don't know what to look for. And the differences between a truly premium product and its imitation are revealed only after a few years of use.”

This is why objective quality assessment criteria are so important. For pergolas, it is not enough to look at the thickness of the profiles or the quality of the paintwork. A truly premium product is a combination of excellent design, innovative technical solutions and the highest quality workmanship. But how to measure it?

“I often meet with customers who have invested significant funds in an allegedly premium product, only to notice problems with the functioning of mechanisms, leaks or simply underdeveloped details after a year or two,” says Kowalski. “It is especially painful when the pergola is the centerpiece of the terrace or garden, visible from the living room or kitchen. Every imperfection is conspicuous and irritating on a daily basis.”

The problem is exacerbated when we consider the impact of the pergola on the entire architecture of the house. Modern designs often treat the outdoor area as an extension of the living space. Pergola is no longer just a canopy - it becomes an integral element of architecture, affecting the reception of the entire building. The wrong choice can disrupt the harmony of a carefully designed space.

“It's like a picture in an elegant frame,” Anna explains. “You can have a beautiful piece of art, but if you frame it in a cheesy frame from a hypermarket, the whole thing will lose its value. A premium pergola should emphasize the architecture of the house, not compete with it or devalue it.”

So how do you avoid costly mistakes? How can we be sure that the product we choose actually represents the highest world quality and is not just a cleverly packaged marketing average?

The answer may be surprisingly simple - it is worth trusting international experts...

International recognition as a guarantee of quality

The IF Design Award is not just an industry award. This is one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world, whose history dates back to 1954. For nearly 70 years, the award has become synonymous with the highest quality of design and innovation, setting standards for the entire industry.

“The IF Design Award is such an Oscar for the world of design,” explains Prof. Marek Adamczewski, an expert in industrial design. “Every year, an international jury of experts evaluates thousands of products from all over the world. The assessment process itself is extremely rigorous and multi-step.”

Let's look at how this process looks in practice. Each product is evaluated according to strictly defined criteria, which include not only aesthetics, but also innovation, functionality, ergonomics or environmental impact. For the Solar Breaker pergola, the jury paid special attention to several groundbreaking solutions.

“What distinguishes the Solar Breaker pergola is the perfect integration of the photovoltaic function into the design,” reads the jury's justification. “This is the first time that solar technology has been so elegantly incorporated into the architecture of a pergola without disturbing its aesthetics.”

Special recognition was won by the system of double axis of rotation of the slats, which not only increases the tightness of the roof, but also gives the structure an exceptional visual lightness. The jury also appreciated the way in which all the technical elements were hidden, creating a clean, minimalist form.

“In the world of industrial design, we often say that true innovation lies in the fact that no one sees how much work has been put into solving a problem,” explains Prof. Adamczewski. “The Pergola Solar Breaker is a prime example of this approach. The user sees only an elegant, simple form, without realizing the technological sophistication hidden in every detail.”

It is worth noting that the IF Design Award is not a beauty contest. A jury of experienced designers, engineers and industry experts scrutinizes every aspect of the product in detail. Not only aesthetics are evaluated, but also:

• Quality of workmanship and materials used
• Innovativeness of technical solutions
• Ergonomics and comfort of use
• Durability and reliability of the structure
• Environmental impact and energy efficiency
• Value for money

“What makes the Solar Breaker pergola particularly different is the consistency of all the elements,” emphasizes one of the jurors. “Every detail, from the water drainage system to the hidden screen mechanisms, has been thought out not only for functionality, but also for the integrity of the design.”

In a world where many products are created with a short-term visual impact in mind, this holistic approach to design is especially valuable. The IF Design Award confirms that we are dealing with a product that will serve and delight the eye for many years.

The Real Benefits of Award-Winning Design

What does it really mean to have an IF Design Award winning product? Let's translate international recognition into concrete, practical benefits for the user.

“When I show my clients the Solar Breaker pergola, they often fail to see all the details that decided the award at first,” says Tomasz, an experienced landscape architect. “But when I draw their attention to perfectly aligned profiles, invisible mounts or perfectly aligned slats, they begin to understand the difference between a regular product and a true premium design.”

This attention to detail translates directly into everyday use. Take, for example, the water drainage system. In most pergolas, it is visible in the form of gutters and drain pipes. In the pergola, the Solar Breaker has been completely hidden in the structure without disturbing the minimalist form. It's not just a matter of aesthetics - this solution is also more durable and easier to clean.

“After three years of using the pergola, I most appreciate the thoughtful solutions that I didn't even notice at first,” admits Małgorzata, owner of a house in Podków Leśna. “For example, the way screen engines were hidden in structural beams. No protruding elements that would collect dust or disrupt the structure.”

Award-winning design also translates into tangible financial benefits. Real estate research shows that a high-quality pergola can increase the value of a home by up to 5-7%. In the case of an internationally awarded product, this impact is even greater.

“It's like with cars,” explains Marek, a real estate agent with 15 years of experience. “A house with a Solar Breaker pergola is like a Mercedes among cars. Even if the client does not know all the technical details, the brand itself and the prestige of the IF Design Award are a guarantee of quality and influence the perception of the entire property.”

What's more, IF Design Award winning products are characterized by timeless design. This is especially important for a long-term investment, which is a pergola. While the solutions that are fashionable today may look outdated in a few years, the minimalist elegance and thoughtful details of the Solar Breaker pergola will remain relevant for years to come.

“Good design is not just aesthetics,” concludes Prof. Adamczewski. “It's a combination of form, function and innovation in a way that makes the product almost invisible in everyday use. Pergola Solar Breaker achieves this goal perfectly - it is at the same time striking and discreet, technologically advanced and intuitive to use.”

When you choose an IF Design Award winning pergola, you are investing not only in the product, but in the confidence that your choice has been verified by the most demanding experts in the industry. This is a guarantee that behind the elegant form lies real innovation and the highest quality of workmanship.

Did you know that...? In the history of the IF Design Award, only four products in the category of terrace roofs have received this prestigious distinction. Pergola Solar Breaker is the world's first product combining bioclimatic functions with photovoltaics to win this award. The jury particularly appreciated the innovative double-axis lamella rotation system, which is protected by an international patent.

‍