Discover Together 2026

The international design competition LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, which began in 2013, has come to an end. In its place, “Discover Together,” a co-creation initiative that unites emerging creators, interpreting the brand’s philosophy through their own distinct perspectives, has been launched.
Theme for 2026: DISCOVER YOUR SPACE

Inspired by the LEXUS LS Concept, presented at Japan Mobility Show 2025— creative teams explore the evolution of mobility from simply “transporting people” to “discovering the idea of personal space.”

This year’s theme, “Discover Your Space,” focuses on a personal space unlike any before. Each of the four creative teams reinterpreted this theme drawing on their respective expertise to bring their own interpretations to life.

The works were unveiled at Milan Design Week 2026.

Kyotaro Hayashi & Yumi Kurotani​ - A creative duo comprising filmmaker Kyotaro Hayashi and art director Yumi Kurotani. Light and sound, space and imagery, and the distinctive textures inherent in physical materials. By delicately weaving together these diverse elements, they seek to create experiences centered on beauty and human sensibility.

“We believe that the invisible movements of emotion bring richness to life. In Japan, there is a culture and philosophy that values what cannot be seen. We envisioned this space as a tea room, where the passage of time and the presence of space are felt through the shifting of light. The tea room transcends status and race, bringing people together as equals, and in its intimate scale, creates a space where spirits can truly connect. The “nijiri-guchi”, a low entrance that requires one to bow, momentarily resets the field of vision and physically marks the transition into the tea room as a separate world. The tokonoma alcove and garden express the seasons and the passage of time, evoking scenes that resonate with memory and stir the emotions. By rendering this transition through moving images, we expand light and space to create an experience like a miniature universe.”

Guardini Ciuffreda Studio (From upper left) - Giulia Giavatto, Riccardo Stufano, Ananya Jain, Luigi Ciuffreda, Tiziano Guardini The studio’s philosophy is deeply rooted in sustainability, material intelligence, and natural systems, expressed through a design language defined by organic forms, tactile surfaces, and aesthetics inspired by nature.

“WEARABLE SPACE is based on the idea that the body is not only something that inhabits space, but something that can generate it. Through a coat embroidered with fiber optics, light emerges from the human gesture and expands into the surrounding space, transforming the act of wearing into an experience that connects matter, energy, and presence.

Technology and sartorial tradition meet in a delicate balance, where innovation does not replace craftsmanship but amplifies it. Within this dialogue, fashion becomes both language and sensory experience: a threshold between intimacy and architecture, between body and environment.

WEARABLE SPACE invites us to imagine a personal, sensitive, and dynamic space, one that belongs to the body that inhabits it and ultimately reveals it.”

Random Studio - Daan Lucas, Dominique Rokebrand, Morgan Maccari, Jeremy Faivre, Sander Plug, Sebastian Price, Andrew Hill, Victor Roussel. An independent spatial experience design studio based in Amsterdam and Paris. The studio’s practice centers on creating innovative spaces that inspire surprise and invite interaction.

“A Moving Sanctuary reimagines the car as a space for stillness and reflection. The installation invites visitors to enter a padded, cocoon-like pod inspired by the quiet intimacy of the back seat of a chauffeur-driven vehicle.

Once inside, guests lie down as a thermal sensing system detects the rhythm of their breath. This data activates a responsive choreography of light and sound that unfolds across the interior. Each experience is unique, gently guiding the body toward slower breathing and calm, transforming the vehicle into a sanctuary for the mind.”

Japanese craftsmen with LEXUS in-house designers - From the top left: Yuji Kuroda, Sashikan Tategu Kogei Co., Ltd., Yuri Tamura, LEXUS in-house designer, Shingo Yamashita, LEXUS in-house wooden model craftsman, Kazuhiro Nakada, Tendo Mokko Co., Ltd., Moto Takabatake, LEXUS in-house designer, Ryota Inagaki, Inagaki Sekizai-ten Co., Ltd. A collaborative team in which LEXUS in house designers join forces with master artisans who support Japanese craftsmanship, taking on the challenge of creating original Japanese art.

“This installation focuses on the extraordinary craftsmanship created by Japanese artisans. From microscopic precision refined to within 0.1 mm to an infinitely expanding, cosmic scale, the delicate details shaped by artisans’ hands, together with light, unfold new expressions within the space. Through this work, the infinite potential of Japanese craftsmanship is revealed on a cosmic scale. Within this beautiful handcrafted universe, a singular ‘Cosmos’, long sought deep within emerges, offering a moment of quiet fulfillment.”

Tour of Discover Together

In November 2025, ahead of the official launch, creators participated in a tour of locations deeply connected to LEXUS. The tour was designed to deepen their understanding of LEXUS as a brand and provide inspiration for their creations.