Lousie Richter’s »BeiStand« Bachelor's Thesis Wins Universal Design Award
Produktdesign (Product Design) graduate Louise Richter has been awarded prizes in two categories for her piece of furniture for the final stages of life, »BeiStand«. Her piece impressed judges in both the Expert« and the »Consumer« categories. With »BeiStand«, Richter recognised a field that receives little attention: the side table in palliative care settings.
How can design contribute when life is nearing its end? This was the question at the heart of Richter’s final project, which is a creative reinterpretation of an everyday object: bedside tables in hospices or hospitals. »Death is part of life, but it is often ignored – socially, spatially, and in terms of design«, says the product designer, explaining her approach. »While the first phases of life are given abundant options, the end of life is completely neglected when it comes to design. That’s why I chose this topic.«
Louise Richter visited and observed the everyday routines at a palliative care unit in Erlangen and hospices in Weimar and Bad Berka. She quickly recognised that the side table was an important piece of furniture. People with severe illnesses spend a lot of time lying down and are often physically restricted. That makes it even more important for personal items, drinks, and communication devices to be within easy reach. »BeiStand« is a response to the needs and requirements of patients, which Luise collected and evaluated through interviews, as well as through her own observations and design reflections.
The height-adjustable side table is outfitted with a 360-degree rotating surface and individually accessible areas and compartments. It allows patients to remain active and help shape their environment. »The table is not meant to be a functional piece of furniture by itself«, explains Richter. »It is an interface between care, privacy, memory work, and individual support.«
Through her work, the designer draws attention to a phase of life that is often ignored when it comes to design. »BeiStand« is an example of how design can support independence and dignity in this field and that designers can contribute to making spaces for saying goodbye more humane.
The award-winning submissions, including »BeiStand«, will be exhibited in the Oskar von Miller Forum during »munich creative business week« in May 2026.
The »BeiStand« Bachelor's thesis was designed in the Produktdesign (Product Design) degree programme and supervised by Gerrit Babtist, Professorship of Design and Management, and artistic staff member Klea Schlimm.
Further information:
www.instagram.com/louli_la
www.universal-design.org/beistand
About the Universal Design Award:
For 15 years now, the Universal Design Award has been presented to designers, architects, students, universities, research institutions and schools whose products, services and architecture are characterized by their cross-generational, broad, simple and intuitive usability and thus create access, self-determination and participation. Universal Design Award is the only design competition that, in addition to an expert jury, also has a consumer jury that independently awards the »Universal Design Consumer« label each year with around 100 participants aged between 14 and 90.