It wouldn’t be far-fetched to proclaim ISKU’s MyFlow collection as their most popular and well-received offering. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s versatile, adaptable and has an alluring form. The chairs, especially, prioritised privacy and modularity before they became the rage. But there’s more in ISKU’s treasury of products.
In conversation with Joonas Vikström, Head of ISKU Middle East, we discovered the brand’s essence, more products and how ISKU remains close to its roots despite going global.
Where it all Began…
And How it’s Going: Sustainability and Brand Ethos
ISKU was founded in 1928 in the humble town of Lahti (which now is a booming economic city in Finland). “ISKU is a Finnish word, and it means something impactful like a punch,” explains Joonas. While the word itself was chosen to create curiosity about a new brand, it slowly became the motto of the productions.
“As a furniture manufacturer, we understand that we cannot be everything”, he says. “You cannot be the best and the most affordable at the same time. In design, you need to make choices and sometimes compromises. At ISKU, we want to be a brand recognised for its quality above all.”
“As a furniture manufacturer, we understand that we cannot be everything. You cannot be the best and the most affordable at the same time. In design, you need to make choices and sometimes compromises. At ISKU, we want to be a brand recognised for its quality above all.”
– Joonas Vikström, Head of ISKU Middle East
Joonas reminisces about the brand’s 95-year-old trajectory. “There are a lot of turning points. These years have also included the Second World War, for instance. Our manufacturing was producing ammunition boxes instead. And if we talk about the business, several generations have been running the company, and there have been different eras or trends in style design materials. And today, we are talking about commitment to sustainability and a circular economy, something that has been a part of ISKU since around the 1980s.”
ISKU realises indoor emissions also play a role in contributing to environmental deterioration. So, they remain mindful about choosing suppliers they work with and the materials they use. In addition, they collaborated with an energy company last year and now have a solar panel field next to their manufacturing unit in Finland. This step has allowed them to offset energy for seven months out of a year for their operations!
ISKU Seating Spotlight
Kivikko by Henri Halla-aho
“Kivikko is one of our top sellers”, Joonas announces. “It’s a very simplistic product, but a lot of thought is put in the background. Kivikko is a Finnish word. It means ‘a rocky terrain,’ and when you look at that product, you will know what I’m talking about.”
A colourful, short-term seating solution for corporate and educational spaces, Kiviko fuses playfulness with simplicity. Kiviko’s asymmetrical and angular forms are not a stylistic inference; they arise from the seat’s manufacturing. ISKU has partnered with a foam supplier that compresses offcuts of upholstery materials to process recycled foam. The obtained form is then cut (using ISKU’s state-of-the-art machinery) into unique shapes. Kiviko also comes in three height variations, maximising the potential to experiment.
“Kivikko is one of our top sellers. It’s a very simplistic product, but a lot of thought is put in the background. Kivikko is a Finnish word. It means ‘a rocky terrain,’ and when you look at that product, you will know what I’m talking about.”
– Joonas Vikström, Head of ISKU Middle East
Big Hug by Mika Tolvanen
Joonas begins, “Big Hug is one of my favourite products. After all, it has a hugging feature.” Big Hug’s story began with winning a grand design competition in 2017 to celebrate 100 years of Finland. True to its name, Big Hug embodies an open-armed design, offering a cosy embrace to its users. The chair’s armrests create a snug spot, perfect for moments of relaxation or productivity. Big Hug is upholstered, with a seat frame crafted from flexible Grada wood material. Its legs are wood, although options featuring chrome-plated or painted steel pipe legs are also available.
Designer Mika Tolvanen aimed to craft a chair with openness as a defining feature: “I aimed to design a lounge chair that prioritised comfort and welcomed users with its open structure.” Joonas shares, “One key project where Big Hug was used quite nicely was recently at one of the biggest commercial broadcasting companies that renovated their headquarters and studio. They used a very bright red for the chair that immediately gave the space a character. Red was dominant in their branding, and with Big Hug and the metallics in the space, it fit right in.”
The case is a shining testimony for Big Hug. The chair is a chameleon of sorts. Simply choosing different colours can transform it into what one needs.
“One key project where Big Hug was used quite nicely was recently at one of the biggest commercial broadcasting companies that renovated their headquarters and studio. They used a very bright red for the chair that immediately gave the space a character. Red was dominant in their branding, and with Big Hug and the metallics in the space, it fit right in.”
– Joonas Vikström, Head of ISKU Middle East
Visit the ISKU Showroom at Dubai Design District
Ultimately, Joonas feels ISKU’s Nordic association is fresh air amongst the Middle East interior circuits. ISKU’s showroom in Dubai Design District is open to designers and other specifiers to witness the brand’s magic first-hand. From customisation in upholstery to exploring their solutions, the showroom epitomises how quality and sustainability are only an ‘ISKU’ away.
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Date added:
29 December, 2023
