Why Oggie Is Celebrating South African Design At DOTY 2026

For Oggie Flooring, great design starts from the ground up – quite literally. As a brand specialising in oak flooring, the company understands the role that considered materials play in shaping the character and experience of a space. This year, Oggie joins House & Garden Designer of the Year 2026 as sponsor of the Architect of the Year, Designer of the Year and Home of the Year categories, recognising the people and projects pushing South African design forward.

The partnership feels particularly fitting given the connection between architecture, interior design and the surfaces that bring them together. Oggie’s flooring forms the foundation of many considered interiors, while its approach to craftsmanship, materiality and longevity aligns closely with the qualities celebrated by the awards.

1. What drew Oggie to sponsor these categories and why do they feel like the right fit for your brand?

These award categories: Architecture, Interior design and Home of the year are inseparable from the surfaces that shape how spaces feel. Oggie floors form the foundation of many exceptional interiors, making these three award categories a natural fit. A celebration of vision, material intelligence and enduring quality, gives recognition to people who share Oggie values.

2. What qualities define excellence in these areas of design?

Excellence begins with a clear, original vision, supported by planning, craftsmanship and sensitivity to context. We appreciate projects that balance beauty with function, use materials purposefully and respond authentically to their setting. The strongest work should feel distinctive and contemporary yet possess an enduring relevance that can last beyond trends.

3. What does supporting and celebrating South African design talent mean to Oggie?

Oggie has always believed in giving back to the industry. South African design has an identity informed by landscapes, cultures, climate and craftsmanship. Supporting talent means helping exceptional local thinking receive the recognition it deserves. House and Garden offers an influential platform for sharing that creativity, strengthening the industry and presenting South African design confidently to the world.

4. What do you hope these categories bring to the wider design conversation?

Great design extends beyond visual impact; it improves how people experience and inhabit space. By revealing the thinking behind exceptional projects, the awards can inspire clients and professionals to pursue more considered, lasting design solutions. We hope to see local industry talent excel internationally.

5. What does House and Garden Designer of the Year mean to you, and why do you think awards like these remain important to the design industry?

House and Garden Designer of the Year is a benchmark for excellence. Awards are important because they document the evolution of our industry, encourage higher standards and inspire.

6. Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of South African design, and what role do you see Oggie playing in supporting it?

South African design is becoming increasingly confident to stay grounded in local identity. We are excited by its emphasis on natural materials like wood. Oggie will continue supporting this progress through exceptional oak flooring, close collaboration and by offering products that enable beautiful spaces for future generations.

Oggie’s involvement in House & Garden Designer of the Year 2026 reflects a broader belief that good design deserves to be recognised, documented and encouraged. From the initial architectural vision through to the details that make a house feel like home, the projects celebrated by these awards demonstrate the depth and diversity of South African creative talent.

For Oggie, the future lies in design that is increasingly confident in its local identity, while remaining relevant on an international stage. The brand’s continued focus on natural materials, particularly oak flooring, is part of that conversation – providing a lasting foundation for spaces designed to be lived in for generations.

As the South African design industry continues to evolve, partnerships such as this create an opportunity not only to celebrate what has already been achieved, but to encourage the next generation of architects, designers and makers to think ambitiously, thoughtfully and with a strong sense of place.

Credits

Images: Courtesy of Oggie Flooring