NORDIC INNOVATION & BIOVERSITY IN DESIGN
NORDIC INNOVATION & BIOVERSITY IN DESIGN
Rita Nordin Finnish Uute Scientific
Designing with Biodiversity
Creating an entirely new category
Finnish biotech company Uute Scientific is building a new business ecosystem around biodiversity-rich nature exposure.
Ville Kokkonen Industrial Designer
Ticket price Includes Apero : Chef Saku Wahlman and Champaign Hatt& Söner
Supported by Finland Institute
UUTE SCIENTIFIC
Creating an entirely new category
Finnish biotech company Uute Scientific is building a new business ecosystem around biodiversity-rich nature exposure.
Across Western societies, we have become increasingly disconnected from nature. We spend more than 90% of our lives indoors and are exposed to far less natural microbial diversity than previous generations. This loss of microbial exposure is increasingly associated with immune-mediated conditions such as atopy, allergies and asthma.
Uute Scientific’s Re-Connecting Nature™ microbial extract mimics the rich microbial diversity of Finnish forest soil, creating a new, scalable way to bring biodiversity into the environments and products around us. The innovation is already crossing industry boundaries: it is used in cosmetics, children’s modelling clay and textiles, and is now entering indoor environments through a new nature-exposure sandbox.
It is also inspiring new thinking in design and art, through collaborations with leading institutions such as The Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London (UCL), with Associate Professor Richard Beckett, and the Royal College of Art London.
The next frontier is atopia, moving from designing with biodiversity to exploring how repeated microbial exposure could support immunological regulation and tolerance.
VILLE KOKKONEN INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
Ville Kokkonen is a Finnish industrial designer. His Swiss-based office centers on a project portfolio that is driven by
technological and scientific discovery. His work is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach that seamlessly integrates
craftsmanship, product development, material innovation, cultural inquiry, applied science, and engineering. The result is
a body of thoughtfully conceived works that embody an analytical and forward-looking vision dedicated to enhancing the
quality and conditions of future living. His studio is deeply engaged in material research, ranging from the development of
hybrid cellulose composites to experimental applications of rare bamboo species. At the beginning of his career, Kokkonen
was part of the Smart Products Research Group at the University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH), where he concentrated
on early product concept development and futures research. Since starting his own practice in 2004, Kokkonen has worked
with leading companies in the field of design and technology, focusing on strategic design and product development.
Between 2005 to 2014 Kokkonen worked with Artek, first running its R&D program and from 2008 onwards as design
director of the company. Kokkonen has lectured in numerous institutions and 2017-2021 held a Professorship in furniture
design, at Aalto University, School of Arts Design and Architecture. His work has received international recognition and is represented in both museum and private collections.
OPEN TO EVERYONE - WARMLY WELCOME
OUT OF THE ORDINARY – Nordic Design & Art Exhibition
NORD+ Beyond, in collaboration with Zurich Design Week, warmly invites you to experience OUT OF THE ORDINARY, a curated exhibition celebrating contemporary Nordic design, art, innovation, and creative thinking.
Set within the unique historic surroundings of Villa de Sein, the exhibition explores how Nordic design continues to redefine modern living through sustainability, material intelligence, functionality, and emotional connection.
Open throughout the entire
Zurich Design Week from 11.00-17.30
Special Events & Talks during the Zürich Design week
17.09-27.09.2026
During the exhibition, NORD+ Beyond will host a series of exclusive events at Villa de Sein, including:
THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 19:00-21:00
OPENING -OUT OF THE ORDINARY – Nordic Design & Art Exhibition
Join us for an informal opening evening with aperitif, DJ and Nordic design and art in the beautiful surroundings of Villa de Sein. We open the Design Week together with Flos.
Come and Meet Photographer Goldsmith Kulmala and Nordic network.
NORD+ Beyond, in collaboration with Zurich Design Week, warmly invites you to experience OUT OF THE ORDINARY, a curated exhibition celebrating contemporary Nordic design, art, innovation, and creative thinking.
Address: Villa de Sein, Scheideggstrasse 28, 8002 Zürich.
OPEN TO EVERYONE - WARMLY WELCOME
TUESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 18.00-21.00
FINNISH DESIGN & HERITAGE EVENING
The importance of design – a Finnish perspective
Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Ambassador of Finland to Switzerland and Lichtenstein
Tommi Mäkynen - Architect and Honorary Consul
Satu Idstrom-Clavert Pro Aalto Sunila "Finnish Modernism in Harmony with Nature"
Brand Talk: Finnish Flavours, Suomi Kauppa
Birkhäuser Verlag GmbH: Aalto and Nature Aalto im Detail
THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 18.00–21.00
MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE
Evening with designer Alfredo Häberli
Brand Talk and Apero : Finnish Chef Saku Wahlman
An evening about design, career, creativity and the relationship between Nordic design and contemporary design and culinary.
REGISTRATION LINK
Friday, 25 SEPTEMBER 18:00-21.00
NORDIC INNOVATION & BIOVERSITY
Rita Nordin Finnish Uute Scientific
Industrial Designer Ville Kokkonen
Brand Talk: Finnish Flavours, Suomi Kauppa
SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 16.30-18.30
DESIGN TALK & CHAMPAGNE TASTING
Design Talk: Out of Ordinary Exhibition Tour by Nord+Beyond
Hatt & Söner Champagne Tasting Evening A special evening combining champagne, tasting and conversation in the unique atmosphere of Villa de Sein. REGISTRATION LINK
SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 15.00-17.00 VERNISSAGE
Vernissage, art, design and refreshments. Join us for the final afternoon of Design Week at Villa de Sein and discover the exhibition in a relaxed Sunday setting.
No registration needed, just join us!