Sarit Shani Hay
Product Design
Established Designer Award
“Childhood has always been, for me, an endless source of inspiration - a lens through which I observe, imagine, and create. I believe thoughtfully designed spaces play a decisive role in shaping a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development”
Sarit Shani Hay is a designer, artist, and lecturer, recognized as a pioneer in the field of children's space design in Israel and worldwide. In 1998, she founded a multidisciplinary studio bearing her name, specializing in designing innovative learning environments that foster well-being and experiential learning.. Her work weaves together art and design, moving between object-making and spatial creation, all with the aim of enriching daily life and celebrating the joy of childhood. Her projects have been exhibited widely in Israel and abroad, earning her numerous prestigious awards for her contribution to the field of design.
The jury panel’s decision:
The Edmond de Rothschild Design Award is granted to Sarit Shani Hay for her innovative work in the field of furniture, object and spatial design for children.
Sarit Shani Hay is a pioneer in her field. Maintaining her focus on the needs and opportunities specific to children, she presents an extensive body of work ranging from large-scale public environments to smaller shared spaces and standalone objects, all of which maintain her signature whimsy and empathy. Successfully working locally and internationally with various communities, designing distinctive activity spaces and products, Shani Hay facilitates a different kind of development that enables new creative thinking among young people. This work plays a vital role in users' lives as individuals and has a lasting impact on society as a public educator about the potential of good design.
Her studio, composed entirely of women and mothers, reflects both a unique, sensitive understanding of societal potential and her strong vision for the company.
Shani Hay presents an original and groundbreaking approach, with a distinct, recognizable visual language and an extensive body of work. For decades, she has been leading this field, exerting significant influence on users and the professional field alike. Within the context of today's rather bland mainstream educational environments, Sarit's work is highly sought after. Her ability to consistently reinvent upholstered textile products for diverse thematic worlds is a testament to her significant talent and fantastic imagination.
Whether designing a classroom, a toy, a library, or a bed, her work serves as a platform for growth, curiosity, and creativity. Every project is grounded in a clear commitment to the child's perspective and to building settings that enable personal and secure experiences. For her unique work and continuous impact, Sarit Shani Hay is awarded the 2025 Edmond de Rothschild Award for Product Design in the Established Designer category.