The network of digital totems installed at the entrances of the Brussels metro has been awarded a Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026, a leading international distinction in the field of design. Designed by the Belgian agency Yellow Window for STIB and rolled out on a large scale by Bauer Media Outdoor, this installation aims to enhance the passenger experience while strengthening the network’s visual identity.

An internationally recognized distinction

The Brussels Metro Totem Network project has been awarded in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026, one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world, recognizing products for their excellence in design. Each year, an independent international jury evaluates entries based on demanding criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, appeal, and environmental responsibility.

Reinventing the urban experience

The result of close collaboration between STIB, Yellow Window, and Bauer Media Outdoor Belgium, this project aims to transform the passenger experience at metro entrances.

“Combining aesthetics and functionality, this urban furniture reflects our commitment to improving the customer journey. Designed as a true urban landmark, it clearly indicates metro entrances while providing real-time information and route planning,” explains Patrick Gillieaux, Stakeholder Manager in charge of the project.

The system is based on a network of 130 interactive digital totems, deployed across the Brussels-Capital Region throughout all 69 underground metro stations. These installations not only display waiting times for lines serving each station but also offer wayfinding features via their touchscreen interface, along with integration of shared mobility solutions, making everyday travel easier.

A design between heritage and modernity

Designed by Yellow Window, the totems draw inspiration from Brussels’ Art Nouveau heritage in a contemporary interpretation that balances identity, readability, and industrial constraints. Now true urban landmarks, they continue the legacy of the studio founded by Axel Enthoven, which has already received two Red Dot Design Awards for STIB’s TNG tram and M7 metro.

Innovation and sustainability at the heart of the project

Beyond the user experience, the project follows a responsible approach:

• Smart energy management (automatic brightness adjustment),

• Use of recycled materials,

• Modular design promoting longevity,

• Sustainable logistics and renewable energy.

These choices reinforce the commitment of both Bauer Media Outdoor Belgium and STIB to more sustainable and efficient urban infrastructure.

A new benchmark for urban furniture

With this distinction, Bauer Media Outdoor Belgium confirms its role as a pioneer in digital urban furniture innovation, placing users, the city, and the environment at the heart of its developments.