Stockholm Design Week 2025: 6 sustainable highlights
Early February the design season kicked off with the long-awaited Stockholm Design Week. This year it was all about Connecting the Dots, where sustainability played a leading role. Scandinavian design has had sustainability in its DNA for years, but in 2025 it was no longer a trend; it was the standard. From innovative materials to circular designs: this edition was all about reuse, responsible production and materials that last a lifetime. We take you along the most inspiring sustainable highlights!
During Stockholm Design Week, NO GA introduced the Empire Chair by Sami Kallio, a Swedish designer who focuses on craftsmanship. Inspired by the architecture of the 1920s, which resulted in dining chairs. What makes this chair dining room chairs so special? They are made of solid FSC-certified ash wood, with a hand-woven Swedish textile for the seat. The natural finish emphasises the wood grain and the purity of the materials. Kallio combines modern industrial techniques with artisanal methods, resulting in sustainable dining chairs that are both resource-efficient and will last for generations. Each design is carefully tested and developed in his own workshop.
&Tradition also attracted attention during Stockholm design week with the launch of the Ita collection. The Ita collection consists of wooden furniture inspired by Miyadaiku, the ancient Japanese woodworking technique that uses no screws or glue. The collection consists of dining tables, dining room chairs and coffee tables, each made from FSC-certified oak. Thanks to the clever flat-pack design, you don’t have to worry about endless assembly sessions. The furniture is easy to assemble with just one tool. In this way, Ita effortlessly combines sustainability with a sleek and modern look.
One of the biggest eye-catchers on the trade fair floor was without a doubt the Paper Bar, a smart and sustainable design by Helsinki-based agency Fyra. With a playful nod to the theme Connecting the Dots, Fyra, in collaboration with other partners, showed how versatile and responsible design can be. Inspired by the power of paper and Scandinavian nature, forests and wood form the basis for the Paper Bar. The design exudes a natural elegance, where sustainability is not just a concept, but actually comes to life! Soft and soothing paper-like textiles by Astrid enveloped the bar, while the iconic, wooden dining room chairs from Vaarnii and Artek emphasize sustainability. An inspiring example of how creativity and environmental awareness go hand in hand.
Named after the Latin word for circle, the Circulus sofa is a modular sofa by OFFECCT that perfectly combines sustainability and flexibility. Made entirely from recycled materials, this innovative seating solution offers a green and stylish alternative for public spaces. With a choice of high or low backrest, 74 frame colours and various fabrics and upholstery, Circulus can be fully customised! The frame, made from sustainable steel and recycled aluminium, is designed to be reused endlessly.
What’s more, the upholstery can be easily replaced without glue, staples or tools. And the best part? At the end of its life, Circulus is fully recyclable, making it a design that literally and figuratively keeps going around!
The sound-absorbing acoustic panels by renowned artist Ingegerd Råman undoubtedly deserve a spot on this list. In collaboration with Swedish brand Abstracta and sustainable furniture manufacturer Verk, Råman delved into her textile past with renewed passion, resulting in a collection that seamlessly combines craftsmanship and sustainability.
The end result? A unique series of wall panels, covered with the new wool fabric V.IR, made from Swedish wool that would otherwise be wasted. But the sustainability mission doesn't stop there! The entire production process, from washing and spinning to weaving, takes place within Sweden, which keeps the ecological footprint minimal. And there's more! The sound-absorbing core of these panels is made from textile waste and recycled PET polyester. This gives residual material a second life in a stylish way.
One of the biggest eye-catchers on the trade fair floor was without a doubt the Paper Bar, a smart and sustainable design by Helsinki-based agency Fyra. With a playful nod to the theme Connecting the Dots, Fyra, in collaboration with other partners, showed how versatile and responsible design can be. Inspired by the power of paper and Scandinavian nature, forests and wood form the basis for the Paper Bar.
The design exudes a natural elegance, where sustainability is not just a concept, but actually comes to life! Soft and soothing paper-like textiles from Astrid envelope the bar, while the iconic wooden dining room chairs from Vaarnii and Artek emphasize sustainability. An inspiring example of how creativity and environmental awareness go hand in hand.