Eco-elegance, by design...

• At Isku, responsible design means taking into account the environment in a product's whole life cycle
• The award-winning Kivikko seat is a prime eco-design example

Isku is a Finnish furniture producer and retailer, founded in 1928. The company's mission is to provide customers with high-quality furniture while ensuring responsible production. Its factory in Lahti is one of the most modern production facilities in the European furniture industry.

At Isku, product development takes into account all environmental effects of a product, from the raw material phase to final disposal. Continuous efforts to reduce the environmental impact of raw materials used in the manufacture of its products is paramount to the company's success. The durability of its furniture is also a key factor, saving natural resources and reducing the amount of waste.

A great example of environmentally sound design at Isku is the Kivikko seat, designed by Henri Halla-aho. Environmental aspects have been considered in several areas of the product design: the choice of raw materials, clean design to minimise material loss, and optimised size and shape for efficient transportation.

The main raw material is surplus material generated by the waste and cut-off pieces of foam plastic products. The surface material is made from eco-labelled textile. The sizes and shapes of the seats are designed so that material wastage is further minimised. The waste that is generated while making this product is also returned to the manufacturing process of the raw material.

The Kivikko seat won the international design award MIAW in 2015.

Key benefits

• Material savings are achieved by using recycled raw materials and redirecting any waste generated back into the manufacturing process
• Optimised size and shape of the product minimises both material loss and transportation costs
• Environmentally-friendly product design is positively viewed by customers and can attract international attention