Felton Industries’ Tow & Fold portable grandstand has received a 2026 Australian Good Design Award in the Product Design Furniture and Lighting category, recognising its design and engineering for portable spectator seating.
According to Felton Industries, the grandstand was designed to provide high-capacity seating that can be transported and deployed at venues where permanent seating options are limited.
The award jury recognised the product’s rapid deployment, hydraulic operation and safety features, including colour accents on handrails and pathways to provide visual guidance.
“The Jury recognises the Tow & Fold Grandstand as an exemplary solution to portable spectator seating, delivering rapid deployment and high-capacity infrastructure where permanent options are limited,” the jury said.
The jury also highlighted the design’s consideration of users, manufacturers and contractors, noting its potential to support councils, schools and sporting communities seeking flexible seating for events.
Felton Industries Industrial Designer Meg Dortmans said the product was developed to improve the portability and usability of spectator seating.
“Tow & Fold was designed to make high-capacity spectator seating easier to move, set up, and use while creating a safe and comfortable experience for spectators,” Ms Dortmans said.
The grandstand was designed in Australia by Felton Industries and Vitruvium and commissioned by Felton Industries Limited.
Good Design Australia Managing Director Rachel Wye said the 2026 awards recognised projects addressing challenges across industries and communities.
“Design is an important economic and social capability. It influences the products we create, the services we rely on, the policies we develop and the way organisations respond to complex problems,” Ms Wye said.
Established in 1958, the Australian Good Design Awards assess projects across 13 design disciplines and more than 30 categories. Entries are evaluated by an independent jury of Australian and international design experts against criteria covering good design, design innovation and design impact.
