GLOBAL

Smarter building with reuse – panels get new life in London

Watch the film from Fora in the Blue Fin Building >>

Catherine Van Der Heide and Rebecca Marsh from Hassell spoke to us about the Fora workspace in the Blue Fin Building in London, where acoustic panels from Gustafs were given new life.

DEMOUNTED AND REMOUNTED

A circular approach

As sustainability issues move up the agenda, there is a growing awareness that truly sustainable construction requires more than energy-efficient solutions and green material choices. A circular approach, where resources are recovered and given an extended lifespan, is crucial to reducing the climate impact of the construction and real estate sector. Reusing materials that are already in place is a concrete and powerful way to reduce a building’s overall carbon footprint – while creating new design opportunities.

A clear example of this is Fora in the Blue Fin Building in central London. When international architects Hassell – represented by Catherine Van Der Heide and Rebecca Marsh – set out to transform the building’s interior into a flexible, contemporary working environment, they chose to preserve and reuse what was already there.

The Gustafs panels, already in the building, were demounted and found to be in such good condition that they hardly needed any restoration at all. The wood panels retained their aesthetics, acoustic function and high quality, making it natural to reintegrate them into the new environment. To complement the reused panels, matching new panels were ordered from Gustafs – creating a seamless whole where old and new interact perfectly.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

Timeless in every way

Gustafs panels are made from up to 98% recycled material, with a form stability and fire rating (B-s1,d0) that makes them a first choice for long-term sustainable construction. Timeless wood design, low environmental impact and the possibility of reuse give the materials a life cycle that extends far beyond the traditional.

Fora in the Blue Fin Building is an inspiring example of how architecture, function and climate responsibility can go hand in hand. Every panel in the interior – whether reused or newly manufactured – contributes to a circular approach where design and sustainability strengthen each other.

Click the links below to see the full video and hear about Hassell’s approach to reuse and the development of the Fora workspace, and to read more about Gustafs’ work with sustainability.

WATCH THE FILM FROM FORA

SUSTAINABILITY AT GUSTAFS

STORIES

Our latest news and views English

Underpinned by our Scandinavian design heritage, we bring you regular stories about architecture and interiors, exploring natural materials, acoustics, and the creation of safe and harmonious environments.

June-25
Build for the Future – Building Materials That Truly Make a Difference

When sustainability is discussed in the construction industry, it’s often about future visions. For Gustafs, it’s already reality.

June-25 Design, Interview, Project news, Sustainability,
Smarter building with reuse – panels get new life in London

Global design practice Hassell talks about the Fora workspace in London, where Gustafs panels were reused and given new life.

June-25 Acoustics, Wellbeing,
Better Acoustic Environments in Schools – 5 Tips That Make a Difference

Noise and reverberation are hidden performance-drainers, but with the right material choices, it’s possible to create school environments that both feel and function better.

May-25 Acoustics, Design, Interview, Project news,
Material selection for Norway’s National Police Emergency Response Unit

Håvard Slinde from Nordic Office of Architecture discuss the materials selected for the project.

April-25 Articles, Design,
Beautiful combinations of wood

Creating a visual impact by using two or more wood species.

March-25 Acoustics, Design, Interview, Project news,
Architects Gray Baynes + Shew interview

GBS Architects’ Fiona Godlement speaks about their reconfiguration of Radley College Science Block.

February-25 Acoustics, Design, Product news, Sustainability,
Report from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2025

We summarize our week in the Swedish capital, where we participated in the annual furniture fair.

November-24 Acoustics, Design,
Sports hall projects from around the world

Exploring three sports facilities with wood interiors.

September-24 Design, Interview, Sustainability, Wellbeing,
Wellbeing and sustainability for Vilnius office

Lithuanian interior design studio DVI tell us about their recent workspace project.

August-24 Design, Interview, Project news,
Flexible office space built for the future

Myles Burke from PLP Architecture talks about the Arbor building in central London, where 300 sqm of Gustafs Linear Rib is installed in the entrance area.

June-24 Design, Interview, Project news,
Rustic elegance in the English countryside

Interior Designer Stephanie Dunning speaks about the ‘cathedral like’ Exton Hall building at Exton Park Vineyard, and the installation of Gustafs Linear Ribs in the ceiling.

April-24 Articles, Design, Interview,
 Tradition meets the contemporary 

We explore a new intarsia artwork designed by artist Anna Hedström for Gustafs. Collaboration is an important aspect of our creative approach at Gustafs, we love to test what can happen when creativity and craftsmanship merge!

March-24 Acoustics, Articles,
Achieving natural room acoustics: A holistic approach

Experienced acoustician Johan de Sousa Mestre uses a blend of perforations for best reverberation and diffusivity in his search for optimal room acoustics.

March-24 Acoustics, Design, Product news, Sustainability,
Gustafs presents Feltfon range

We introduce a new acoustic line with felt absorbers inspired by nature, offering a wide selection of silent designs for both walls and ceilings.

February-24 Acoustics, Product news,
New design: Lamellow+ Puzzle

Explore new design possibilities with our latest Lamellow+ design; Puzzle. This collection features twelve unique models that offer limitless assembly variations.

January-24 Articles, Design, Interview, Product news,
New collections offer unlimited potential

Gustafs is inviting architects to use its products as a springboard for their own creativity.

January-24 Articles, Awards,
Gustafs awarded Brand of the Year

Gustafs was nominated twice at Stjärngalan 2024, winning the Brand of the Year category.

December-23 Articles, Design, Interview, Sustainability,
Unlocking potential in 3D printing

Designer Simon Mattisson’s collaboration with Gustafs to 3D print acoustic panels from waste materials.

November-23 Articles, Design, Wellbeing,
Design for healthcare

Designing healthcare environments that improve health and wellbeing.

November-23 Articles, Design, Interview, Wellbeing,
Material choices in healthcare environments

BDP’s Vicky Casey on using natural materials in Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

October-23 Articles, Design,
The future of retail interiors

Learn why experience and materials are the key to the future of retail.

September-23 Design, Interview, Wellbeing,
Curanten: The future of healthcare

BAU Stockholm on holistic healthcare design inspired by hotels.

August-23 Design, Interview,
Gustafs celebrates ‘A Living History’

Creative agency Nineties Studio explain the concept behind Gustafs new brand identity.

June-23 Design, Interview,
Three thoughts on materials and lighting work

Experienced consultant Paul Nulty on how to combine lighting and materials such as wood.

July-23 Design, Interview, Sustainability, Wellbeing,
Scandinavia’s first zero-energy hotel

House of Choice by White Arkitekter gives guests a greener choice.

May-23 Design, Interview, Sustainability,
Three thoughts on reuse in architecture

Carol Costello, practice leader of Cullinan Studio, discusses what architecture studios can do to reduce their environmental impact.

March-23 Design, Interview, Project news,
Redeveloping a historic building

Hawkins\Brown tell us how they approached the modernisation of a Grade II Listed building in London.

January-23 Design, Interview, Sustainability,
Three materials of the future

Chris Lefteri, renowned expert in material technology, speaks about materials of the future.

December-22 Design, Interview, Sustainability,
Villazero: A carbon neutral home

Mondo Arkitekter build Sweden’s first carbon neutral house.

November-22 Design, Interview,
Karen Haller on colour in interiors

Colour expert Karen Haller tells us how behavioural colour and design psychology can create harmonious interiors.

October-22 Acoustics, Product news, Sustainability,
Introducing Feltfon Linear

Gustafs introduces Feltfon Linear, a customisable linear felt solution which gives a soft, warmth to walls and ceilings.

May-22 Design, Interview, Sustainability,
Designing for longevity

Thomas Sandell on design with an enduring appeal.

May-22 Design, Project news,
Our guide to the top five interiors in ash

From courtrooms to concert halls. We list five favourite projects that use ash.

May-22 Design,
Geometric patterns in interiors

Shaping design from ancient times until today

May-22 Design,
Gustafs’ guide to wood species

The patterns and colours of our most popular veneers.

March-22 Interview, Project news, Wellbeing,
Biophilic School Design

How natural influences can improve learning environments

March-22 Interview, Wellbeing,
Andrew Waugh on building with wood

Architect Andrew Waugh talks about his appreciation of timber

March-22 Interview, Sustainability,
White Arkitekter’s Anna Graaf on material circularity

Anna Graaf’s three thoughts on circularity.

March-22 Sustainability, Wellbeing,
Benefits of biophilic design

Exploring biophilia in architecture and design.

February-22 Sustainability,
Modern manufacturing, the Scandinavian way

Sweden’s sustainable approach to building materials.

February-22 Design, Interview,
3XN’s centre for climate research and collaboration

Jan Ammundsen talks through Denmark’s gamechanging Klimatorium scheme

January-22 Acoustics,
An introduction to office acoustics

An overview of how material choices affect sound absorption in a workplace environment.

January-22 Design, Interview,
Less waste, more natural materials

Ola Jonsson C.F. Møller’s sustainable approach to materials

December-21 Acoustics, Design, Wellbeing,
An introduction to neurodiversity in design

We explore how workplace design can be adapted for people with neurodiverse conditions.

December-21 Acoustics, Design, Interview,
The design of accessible workplaces

A conversation with Daniel Rönnqvist, Architect and Accessibility Consultant at Gatun Arkitekter, about human-centered architecture and workplace design.

November-21 Design, Interview,
Three thoughts on building materials, with Jan Ammundsen

3XN’s Design Director explains the studio’s approach to material selection.

November-21 Design, Interview,
The importance of silent study spaces

Architect Colin Moses reflects on his key learnings from the University of Bedfordshire library project.

November-21 Design, Wellbeing,
Designing for mental wellbeing

Exploring how architects can create happy cities by designing for mental wellbeing.

November-21 Fire, Interview,
Wooden Ribs: New research in fire safety

Fire engineer Håvard Strøm Halvorsen examines interiors with wooden ribs.

October-21 Design, Interview,
Three reasons why I love wood

Property developer Folkhem’s Anna Ervast Öberg talks about her favourite material.

October-21 Acoustics, Interview,
Flexible learning environments

An interview with Graven’s Ross Hunter on designing multi-use education spaces.

October-21 Fire,
Three key points to know about fire safe wooden panels

The benefits of avoiding fire retardants, and other important points.

September-21 Acoustics, Wellbeing,
Does architecture affect blood pressure?

Workplaces designed with acoustics in mind can avoid noise and stress.

September-21 Acoustics, Design, Fire, Interview,
Associated Architects on University libraries

Joe Belcher lists his key learnings from The Davison Library, University of London.

August-21 Acoustics, Design, Interview,
Malmö Live, a community house on an international scale

We chat to Kristian Ahlmark of Schmidt Hammer Lassen about how this “city within a city” was designed for the local community.

August-21 Acoustics, Design,
The top 3 trends in Swedish school design

We examine how architects focus on daylight, acoustics and materials in educational facilities.

August-21 Acoustics,
Helping architects design spaces with great acoustics

Experiencing how buildings sound at the design stage: we look at a new research project of sound simulation software.

July-21 Acoustics, Design, Interview,
Spira Culture Centre

Gert Wingårdh talks ten years of the Spira Culture Centre.

June-21 Design, Wellbeing,
Harmony in the home

Wood and other natural materials boost wellbeing and harmony in the home.

June-21 Design, Interview,
Scandinavian design essence by Tengbom

Take a trip around Arlanda VIP Services as Mark Humphreys of Tengbom Arkiteker explains how it epitomises Scandinavian style.

June-21 Interview, Wellbeing,
A deeper dive into forest bathing

Jenny Lovebo of Linnaeus University answers three questions on the wellbeing effects of forests.

May-21 Wellbeing,
A wealth of wood at Hejmdal Cancer Patients House in Aarhus

The wooden interior of Hejmdal Cancer Patients House.

April-21 Design,
Line up for linear interiors

Exploring the trend for vertical wood panelling.

March-21 Acoustics, Interview,
The new campus of Stockholm’s Royal College of Music

Architect Annika Askerblom of AIX explains how interior design and acoustic excellence were combined to create stunning performances spaces.

February-21 Acoustics, Wellbeing,
Optimising room acoustics to improve wellbeing

We explore how reducing noise and creating harmonious sound environments can improve wellbeing.

February-21 Sustainability, Wellbeing,
Forest bathing

Why forest bathing is here to save your social life: exploring how woodland walks have become the new way of socialising.

February-21 Acoustics,
Sound in digital meetings

Want to get the best out of your digital and hybrid meetings? Get your acoustics right.

February-21 Acoustics, Interview,
The design of music

The legendary Swedish acoustician Jan-Inge Gustafsson joins us for a conversation about concert halls, collaborating with architects, and the creative process.

January-21 Fire, Interview,
Fire Safety in Wooden Interiors

We ask fire consultant Anders Bach Vestergaard of COWI consulting to answer three questions about the creation of safe, beautiful and design-led wooden interiors.

November-20 Wellbeing,
Sloyd – The Next Scandinavian Export?

In this article we explore the Scandinavian culture of educational sloyd, and its potential to inspire future generations of wood-centric designers.

June-21 Gustafs' history, Interview,
Renovating the Riksdag

The interior details that transformed the Chamber in the Swedish parliament.

March-21 Articles, Gustafs' history,
The Origins of Gustafs

The story of our heritage: from a forest in rural Sweden, based on traditions of carpentry and craftsmanship, to world-leading wood panel systems.

November-20 Articles, Gustafs' history,
A Colourful Collaboration

Recalling the challenges and joys of making a spectacular acoustic solution happen – from design to installation.

November-20 Articles, Gustafs' history,
Innovative Solutions in Doha

Recalling the challenges and joys of making a spectacular acoustic solution happen – from design to installation.

November-20 Articles, Wellbeing,
Fighting Stress With Wooden Interiors

Wood is nature’s original stress-reliever, and studies have proven that its use in the built environment can greatly improve our wellbeing.

November-20 Articles, Wellbeing,
The Collaborative Office

We talk to Wingårdhs Arkitektkontor on the future of offices and the shifting role of workspaces.

May-21 Product news,
Introducing Lamellow+

Introducing Lamellow+ from Gustafs, a beautiful combination of felt and wood for indoor public spaces with natural fire safety properties.

May-20 Awards, Product news,
Cisco’s Webex Room Panorama Awarded Red Dot: Best of the Best

Gustaf’s collaboration with Cisco has resulted in a fantastic conference solution that has been awarded with Red Dot: Best of the best

May-20 Product news,
New Narrow RIB Dimensions For Creative Installations

We have developed a new design for our timber slats. A narrower model is now available for walls and ceilings.

February-20 Product news,
Lund District Court Featured Under Best Applied Products on ArchDaily

The project Lund’s district court is featured on Archdaily – Building of the year award. The project is featured under Best applied products.

January-20 Acoustics, Product news,
New Gpod at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2020

Once again we have a new product to present at the Stockholm furniture fair – come and experience our new meeting pod.

May-19 Fire, Product news,
New Stripe-XL With Dark Core Achieves Unique Fire Classification A2-s1,d0

In our aim to lead the development of fire classified wooden claddings for public spaces we now launch a brand new linear timber cladding panel that achieves the market’s absolute highest possible fire classification A2-s1, d0.

March-19 Project news,
QNCC Among the Pritzker Prize Winner’s Project

Architect Arata Isozaki has been awarded the pritker prize. One of his projects is QNCC, which consists largely of Gustaf’s interior panels

February-19 Acoustics, Product news,
An Office Meeting Pod with a Modern Design – Gustafs Acoustic Gpod

Gustafs Gpod is our new Office meeting pod, designed for both meetings but also as an exclusive wooden furniture with perfect acoustics.

January-19 Product news,
Product Launch at Stockholm Furniture Fair

During the Stockholm Furniture Fair we will be launching a brand new product – we’re redefining the workplace, again

December-18 Product news,
Introducing Gustafs D-Line Spot

We continue to develop our product range. It is now possible to install spotlights as D-Line, we introduce Gustafs D-Line Spot

October-18 Project news,
DTU Building 202 Awarded Detail Inside Special Prize 2018

Once again DTU Building 202 has been awarded for it’s design. This time the prestigious Detail Inside Special Prize.

September-18 Product news,
Introducing Linear RIB-S – A New Linear RIB Design

Introducing Linear RIB-S design. a new design with sharper edges that give the increased feel of a solid wooden rib.

August-18 Product news,
Gustafs D-Line – A new linear LED lighting for our Linear System

Gustafs D-Line is our new integrated LED lighting system, fully compatibel with our Linear System – LED lighting for wall and ceilings.

June-18 Awards, Project news,
Library Project Receives RIBA Award

Bedfordshire library project has been awarded the RIBA East Award 2018. We are delighted to have been part of this project.

July-17 Project news,
DTU Building 202 Awarded Carpentry Prize 2017

The stunning project DTU building 202 has been awarded the Carpentry Prize 2017. We are proud to have delivered our panels to the project.

June-17 Project news,
European Healthcare Design Award 2017

The Brunel Building of Southmead Hospital has been awarded European Healthcare Design 2017. Gustafs and LSA have produced and supplied panels to the project.

May-17 Project news,
New Library at University of Bedfordshire

Gustafs together with LSA have produced and supplied slatted wood panels to this new library at Bedfordshire University.

April-17 Project news,
Royal College of Music nominated for the building of the year

The Royal College of Music in Stockholm is one of ten projects nominated for Stockholm Building of the Year.

February-16 Acoustics, Project news,
Gustafs Panels at Royal College of Music in Stockholm

Gustafs are producing interior acoustic wood panels for all music venues at the new royal college of music in Stockholm.

December-15 Project news,
Gustafs Awarded for the environmental work at NKS

Gustafs have been awarded by the contractor Skanske for our environmental work at the project site NKS, we are truly glad!

November-14 Project news,
Emporia, BREEAM Building of the Year

Gustafs have contributed with interior wall panels in laminate and wood surfaces to the BREEAM Building of the year project.

October-14 Product news,
Dark Core Fibre Gypsum

Our brand new dark fibre gypsum core can be used to hide the perforations in a better way, using dark veneered wood panels.

October-14 Acoustics, Project news,
Gustafs win Malmö Live contract

Gustafs have won the Malmö Live contract and will produce and install interior wall and ceiling panels for this spectacular venue.

December-13 Project news,
First project in China

We’re happy to announce Gustafs’ first ever project in China. We have produced and supplied this auditorium with wood panels.

July-13 Gustafs' history,
Gustafs Scandinavia celebrates 100 years

This summer Gustafs celebrated 100 years as a business, with the start of Andreas Tunander acquired the business back in 1913.

May-13 Project news,
The New Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburgh

Together with our Russian supplier, Gustafs has manufactured and delivered fireproof wooden panels for this historic building.

January-13 Product news,
Introducing Gustafs Linear System

Gustafs Linear System is our brand new cladding system with linear design, utilizing real wood veneer and a Quick-Up installation system.

November-12 Fire, Product news,
Gustafs wooden panels with A2-s1,d0

Gustafs’ wood panels are now certified with fire classification A2-s1,d0 according to the European fire class.

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt