Bastion Aotearoa has celebrated a standout night at the 2026 Best Design Awards, taking home five awards for its handcrafted Whittaker’s Christmas Window.
Bringing a whimsical chocolate factory to life, the project was a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and attention to detail. More than 1,000 hours went into creating the installation, from carefully cutting and trimming card and paper to adding hand-painted details and incorporating Whittaker’s iconic gold foil.
The result was a magical Christmas experience that captured the spirit of the much-loved chocolate brand and showcased the power of handcrafted design.
The project received five awards across five categories:
🥇Gold: Design Craft
🥇 Gold: Environmental Graphics
🥇 Gold: Designed Objects
🥉Bronze: Graphic – Use of Colour
🥉Bronze: Exhibition and Temporary Spaces
The recognition reflects the passion and dedication of the Bastion Aotearoa team, alongside the collaboration of Whittaker’s and the creative partners who brought the project to life.
With three Golds and two Bronzes, the wins celebrate the impact of thoughtful design and exceptional craft, reinforcing Bastion Aotearoa’s commitment to creating work that makes people feel something.
