We design spaces that retain their value over the long term. This means timeless aesthetics, thoughtful use of materials, and environments that can adapt to change. For us, sustainability does not mean cautious or impersonal design. A space must be recognizable, interesting, and strong.
We believe that good design stands the test of time when solutions are based on real needs and serve a purpose. Sustainability is an integral part of our design process from the very beginning. This is reflected in what we preserve, what we change, and what we design anew.
Collaborative design and close cooperation with the client and other project experts help us find the answer. Can we make better use of the existing space? What should we keep? Where does the new solution bring real value?
When these questions are raised early enough, it is possible to have a significant impact on both the functionality of the facility and the project’s environmental impacts. At the same time, this leads to solutions that will serve their users for a long time and can adapt as operations change.
Spaces have long lifespans, but the needs and activities of their users can change rapidly. That is why we strive to create environments that adapt to new situations without having to start from scratch.
Flexibility in adaptation, durable materials, repairable solutions, and well-considered purchases help extend the useful life of facilities. It is equally important to avoid solutions whose functionality or appeal is based solely on current needs or fleeting trends.
For us, anticipating the future is part of good planning. We can’t know everything about how spaces will be used years from now, but we can create solutions that allow the space to evolve.
Before designing a new space, we examine what’s already there and how it can be utilized. Furniture can be refurbished, materials can be reused, and existing elements can be repurposed.
The 9R model of the circular economy supports our approach to the life cycle in our work. It guides us to seek alternatives to purchasing new items and to extend the useful life of products and materials: avoiding unnecessary purchases, reusing existing items, repairing and refurbishing them, and repurposing materials for new uses.
The 9R approach helps us view a space and its materials as a whole right from the early stages of design. What can be preserved as is? What can be repaired or modified? Can anything be reused elsewhere? Only after this do we assess what is truly needed that is new.
It is not always appropriate to preserve everything from the past. The key is to identify where existing elements have value and where a new solution better serves the whole.
The beauty of a material alone is not enough. It must function well in the environment for which it is chosen.In public spaces, hotels, and work environments, materials must withstand wear and tear and stand the test of time. In addition to aesthetics and functionality, we evaluate their lifespan, maintainability, repairability, recyclability, and origin. We always ask: How long will this material last, and how easy is it to maintain, repair, or reuse?
Material expertise is an important part of our expertise. We actively monitor new materials, manufacturing methods, and circular economy solutions, and seek ways to apply them in our practical design work.
For us, the circular economy isn't just about conserving materials. It can also open up new possibilities for design and styling.
The Tyyne screen, which we developed in collaboration with Niimaari, demonstrates what the circular economy can be at its best: not a limitation, but a starting point for design. Its hand-woven surface is made from surplus oak veneer left over from the interiors of Swan sailboats, and the acoustics are provided by acoustic panels made from Finnish wood fiber. Made primarily from by-products, Tyyne combines the circular economy, Finnish craftsmanship, and high-quality design.
Knowledge about materials, manufacturing, the circular economy, and the environmental impacts of construction is constantly evolving. We must evolve along with it. We actively expand our expertise, monitor industry developments, and evaluate our own practices. In every project, we aim to identify the areas where our design can make a genuine difference and help our clients make well-informed, long-term choices.
For us, sustainability is an integral part of good design and professional expertise. Our goal is to create spaces that are functional and meaningful today and that will retain their quality well into the future.
