Circular design meets community values

finland
furniture
mattresses
reuse
sustainable products
from waste to resources
Published on 04 December 2025
Circular design meets community values

What did they do?

Revamping a public library through circularity principles is not only possible but also highly impactful.

Meet the Lippulaiva Library in Espoo, a space transformed through collaboration and circular thinking. At the core of this renovation was Pääkaupunkiseudun Kierrätyskeskus Oy (Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre), a social enterprise that promotes reuse while creating meaningful employment pathways for people distanced from the traditional labour market. 

In partnership with the Esbo stad (City of Espoo) and KVA Architects, Kierrätyskeskus’s Plan B workshop revitalised the library by restoring and repurposing hundreds of pieces of furniture, from vintage chairs and tables to modern pieces sourced across the city, including the former Soukka Library.

The result is a warm, nature-inspired space where circular design seamlessly aligns with community values.

This is one of the stories we’re proud to spotlight in our project on Social Enterprises’ Role in Furniture and Mattresses’ Circularity.

Involved organisations

Kierrätyskeskus
Kierrätyskeskus
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