huvi, scalable stool

Course assignment, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

HUVI is a furniture series made from recycled materials, consisting of a stool and a bench. The project was developed in collaboration with Uusix, a rehabilitative work activity unit under the Social and Health Services of the City of Helsinki.

The task was to design a commercially viable product using Uusix’s existing recycled materials and production methods, while keeping the manufacturing process accessible for workers without specialized expertise.

The project combines the Wood & Surface and Fabric sections of Uusix, bringing together different areas of craftsmanship and production. Discussions with the employees also shaped the concept — cushions were considered one of the most enjoyable textile-related tasks, which led to their integration as a central element of the design.

The design language is intentionally simple and adaptable, allowing the concept to scale across different applications while minimizing material waste. The project became a study in combining recycled materials, accessible production, and human-centered design into a functional furniture concept.

Role Industrial Design

Collaboration Uusix × Metropolia

Challenge

How to design a product that:

  • could be manufactured using existing recycled materials

  • required no specialized expertise

  • supported collaborative production between workshop departments

  • remained visually coherent and commercially viable