In connection with the Habitare Fair today, the Design from Finland mark awarded the Design Deed of the Year prize to Woodio Oy, a company that designs and manufactures bathroom fixtures from solid wood composite. The criteria for the award are originality, responsibility and design as part of everyday life.
The Design Deed of the Year is awarded annually to a Finnish enterprise where design plays a significant role. This year, the prize was awarded to Woodio Oy. The company’s products are designed and manufactured in Finland utilising Finnish forest industry’s side streams. The Woodio material is the world’s first waterproof solid wood composite, which consists of real wood chips and resin based adhesives. Woodio designs are suitable for both private and public spaces.
Woodio products are a combination of technological innovation, Scandinavian design language, high quality and ecology. The products have a significantly lower carbon footprint than similar traditional ceramic bathroom fixtures. The Woodio material is more resistant than ceramic materials and could easily be used for e.g. wall panels, work surfaces, toilet seats or doors.
Design is an integral part of Woodio’s business and its products are based on true innovation.
“The material innovation itself was born out of a product idea. First, we had an idea about manufacturing bathroom tiles out of wood. While working on this idea, the Woodio material, a waterproof solid wood composite, was created. The technology has been developed within the company but Pentagon Design has been an indispensable partner in product design since the beginning. It has been wonderful to be able to use Woodio to combine the Finnish export assets: wood, design and technology,” says founder, CEO and Doctor of Chemistry Petro Lahtinen.
Woodio was awarded the Design from Finland mark in 2017 and the Key Flag symbol in recognition of products made in Finland this spring, 2019. Now the company receives the prestigious Design Deed of the Year award. The jury appreciates the international branding of Woodio, in which a traditional and everyday product has been realised in an innovative and distinctive way. An investment has been made in professional design right from the beginning and the company’s products delight the consumer with their novel aesthetic, durability and usability.
“We see Woodio as an excellent example of how design has been used to turn innovation into a successful business. The company also conducts its business responsibly, as is required by the Design from Finland mark,” member of the jury, Design Forum Finland’s CEO Petteri Kolinen explains.
The Design Deed of the Year prize has now been awarded eight times. In previous years, this recognition has been received by Beibamboo Oy (2012), which designs and produces bamboo-fibre baby clothing; VM-Carpet (2013), which produces high-quality, inventive rugs; Droplet Hitech Design Oy (2014), which makes wooden “Lastu” protective holders for mobile devices; Useful Stuff Oy (2015), which manufactures “Drop” outdoor pools; Hakola Huonekalu Oy (2016), which makes furniture and interior design products; FRENN Company Oy (2017), which produces men’s wear; and Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth (2018).
The jury consists of Industrial Counsellor Kari Kallonen, Design Forum Finland’s CEO Petteri Kolinen, Founder of Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth Pihla Meskanen and Association for Finnish Work Managing Director Tero Lausala.
Further information:
Johanna Lahti, Brand Manager, Design from Finland, Association for Finnish Work, johanna.lahti@suomalainentyo.fi, +358 (0)40 5916143
Petro Lahtinen, CEO, Woodio Oy, petro.lahtinen@woodio.fi, +358 (0)50 5811033
The Association for Finnish Work endeavours to increase the appreciation of Finnish work and to further the success of Finnish work. The association governs the symbols acting for Finnish work, influences buying decisions and challenges working life to reform. The association, founded in 1912, has more than 4,300 corporate or community members. www.suomalainentyo.fi/en/
The Design from Finland mark speaks on behalf of unique Finnish design origins, emphasising the significance of immaterial Finnish work from the perspective of Finnish success and employment. Over 500 marks have been issued so far. www.suomalainentyo.fi/en/services/design-from-finland/