Shaping the future of sustainable workspaces
Stora Enso and Koskisen are shaping the future of sustainable workspaces
Karin Rosell, Head of Marketing and Communications at Stora Enso’s Biomaterials division, is deeply involved in promoting innovations that originate from one core source: wood. Rosell tells that Stora Enso has a mission to replace fossil-based materials with bio-based alternatives, contributing to a more sustainable future through groundbreaking material development.
One of the most visionary examples of this mission has been the Yggdrasil* prototype, a future-oriented meeting space where human, artificial, and natural intelligence converge. Supported by Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova, the project explored how biomaterials, biophilic design, and AI can transform the way we work and interact.
Located at Stora Enso’s Innovation Centre for Biomaterials in Sickla, the Yggdrasil space showcased circular and bio-based materials such as NeoLigno®, Papira®, Tree to Textile, and Fabric Forest. The environment was designed to evoke the forest with the help of natural scents, sounds, and textures as well as to support well-being, creativity, and sustainable decision-making.
Koskisen Zero furniture boards as key elements
A key material in the prototype was Koskisen’s Zero furniture board, which incorporates Stora Enso’s NeoLigno® binder. This formaldehyde- and isocyanate-free panel is not only fully bio-based but also contributes to healthier indoor air quality. In the Yggdrasil space, Zero furniture boards were used to craft furniture without coatings or veneers, allowing the natural beauty of the material to shine. The result was a warm, earthy aesthetic that resonated with visitors and demonstrated the design potential of bio-based materials beyond traditional applications.
The collaboration between Stora Enso and Koskisen has been strong and multifaceted, including joint marketing efforts, customer surveys, and product promotion campaigns. Rosell highlights the synergy between the two companies, especially in showcasing how Zero furniture board can help turn workplaces into carbon stores rather than emission sources.
The voice of the forest is loud and clear
One of the most intriguing elements of the Yggdrasil prototype was its AI-enhanced feature, a small plant-like installation that listened to conversations and provides summaries or insights, symbolizing the “voice of the forest.” This interactive component reflected the project’s ambition to integrate nature’s intelligence into future workspaces.
The Yggdrasil initiative has already attracted attention from policymakers, designers, and industry leaders, and is under consideration for exhibitions at venues such as Tekniska Museet and Wood City. It represents a shift from material to meaning, and it shows not just what companies produce, but what they enable.
As Rosell puts it, “We need to return to the forest and our roots, especially in the workplace, to ensure we feel good, think clearly, and make better decisions.”
*Yggdrasil is the world tree of Norse mythology, a colossal ash whose trunk, branches, and roots stretch across all realms, supporting the entire cosmos.
