European Air Conditioner "KJ Series" Wins "Red Dot Design Award 2026"

General Corporation (formerly Fujitsu General) has received the "Red Dot Design Award 2026," one of the world's top three design awards, for its compact air conditioner "KJ Series" for the European market. The series was highly praised for its design that harmonizes with European living spaces, its compact design, and its overall value throughout the product lifecycle, including energy-saving performance and environmentally conscious design.

[Features of the "KJ Series"]

1. Minimalist Design that Harmonizes with Space

In Europe, air conditioners are expected to blend into the indoor environment and harmonize with interior decor. This series features a minimalist exterior that suppresses a mechanical impression, and refined curves, creating a design that harmonizes with sophisticated European interiors. This results in a timeless design that can be used for a long time.

2. High Installability due to Compact Design

With a compact design of 798mm in width*, it can be installed in spaces with restrictions, such as above a door, and its shape minimizes a sense of oppression.

3. Balancing Energy Saving Performance and Comfort

It achieves energy-saving performance that meets the highest class A+++ in European energy efficiency standards. With occupancy detection and operation control by a human presence sensor**, it suppresses excessive cooling and heating while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.

4. Improved Cleanliness with Heat Exchanger Heating and Sterilization Function

Our proprietary "Heat Exchanger Heating and Sterilization"*** technology is incorporated for the first time in an overseas series. By heating the moisture generated in the indoor unit to over 55°C during cooling or dehumidifying operation, it removes mold and improves cleanliness.

5. Environmentally Conscious Design

The adoption of a modular design reduces the number of parts and painted components, leading to a reduction in material usage and energy consumption during manufacturing. The use of paper materials for packaging is also being promoted, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle.

[Jury Comment]

The concept, emphasizing durability and sustainability, is brilliantly expressed within the minimalist design that strips away all superfluities.

This air conditioning unit impresses with a concept focused on delivering durability and sustainability, both finding expression in its minimalist form.

Through the development of this series, General has been working to create products that combine compact design that easily harmonizes with living spaces with improved energy efficiency and cleanliness. Moving forward, we will continue to contribute to the realization of comfortable and sustainable living by providing value beyond the scope of air conditioners through product development tailored to the needs of each region.

*1 KJ Series External Dimensions: 270mm (Height) x 798mm (Width) x 240mm (Depth)

*2 Human Presence Sensor: A function that detects the presence of people and automatically adjusts operating capacity to suppress wasteful power consumption.

*3 [Test Method] Comparison before and after heating and sterilization operation confirmed a reduction of 99% or more of mold within 10 minutes (evaluated with one type of mold). [Testing Organization] Kitazato Environmental Science Center. [Report No.] Kiseihaku 2025_1003. Evaluation of some bacteria in the heat exchanger. Effectiveness may decrease depending on operating environment. This function does not remove odors or dirt.

For Reference

What is the "Red Dot Design Award"?

The "Red Dot Design Award" is one of the world's top three design awards, with a history of nearly 70 years since its establishment in 1955. Hosted by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, it is known as an internationally prestigious design award.

In the "Product" category of this award, outstanding designs that have been commercialized worldwide within the past two years are eligible, and they are judged on nine criteria including innovation, functionality, quality, ergonomics, durability, and ecology. Approximately 40 international experts gather and evaluate each product individually under the motto "In search of good design and innovation."

Red Dot Design Award Website: https://www.red-dot.org/award