The commercially successful FourSure® Collection, designed for Four Design, was the very first Danish furniture design to achieve the EU Ecolabel accreditation.

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The following guidelines represent Strand + Hvass’ philosophy surrounding good circular design-pillars by which to uphold future works and partnerships.

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1. Good circular design is long-lasting.

Good design remains useful for a long time, both physically and visually. Durability is by far the most important parameter in a product's environmental impact, and visual durability ensures a product lives its full lifespan as intended. A product’s longevity is equally determined by its materiality and ability to age gracefully as by its timeless nature and design. With these two ideas at the forefront, the product’s value is not diminished by age and can be appreciated for years to come.

2. Good circular design can be disassembled and repaired.

The various inputs that go into a piece of furniture wear at different speeds. Therefore, materials and components should possess the ability to be disassembled and repaired, giving new life to an otherwise damaged product.

3. Good circular design can be updated and upgraded (function).

A circular product can be upgraded. The usefulness of all products is reduced over time and must therefore be able to be further development and improvement, which extends its life in use.

4. Good circular design has broad appeal.

Reusing is more sustainable than recycling. For a product to be circular, it should ideally be used by many different people before the end of its life. A product with broad appeal can be inherited, exchanged, resold, and even rented.

5. Good circular design is minimalistic.

Both in design and production, good circular design uses as few resources as possible, considering what the least impactful options available are.

6. Good circular design doesn’t let any materials out of the circle.

A circular product is made from renewable or recyclable materials. Materials should be selected with respect to the material cycles they are part of. Synthetic materials should possess the ability to be separated and included in existing recycling systems. Natural materials must be sustainably sourced with minimal transportation and be compostable or recyclable at the end of their life.

7. Good circular design reduces energy consumption.

Good design uses as little energy as possible throughout its life, from production to transportation to everyday use. Energy consumption should be limited in general, however, high energy consumption during production can be justified if the end result is a longer life span. All products should be transported efficiently and offset by future energy savings.

8. Good circular design is good design.

Good design is something to be cherished and respected. The pieces we invest in become part of the fabric of our lives-they are meaningful companions to be treated with care. Good design offers not only function but an experience that can be passed down through generations.

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