The FSC Design Award is a unique collaboration between FSC and ScanCom, its aim is to inspire the next generation of designers and architects to embrace innovative, sustainable design concepts using wood. The award not only provides an opportunity for exceptional talents to shine but also should result in a market-ready piece of furniture, with at least one UN sustainability goal incorporated into its design and production.

This year, Rune Schween, Head of Design for ScanCom International, acted as one of the judges for the award, which culminates in a trip to our factories in Vietnam to develop a prototype of the winning design. After finishing his judging duties, he explained the motivation behind ScanCom’s involvement in the award.

‘Firstly, we are always keen to support and promote environmental movements, but it’s also a wonderful chance to have some dialogue with the rest of the industry on our approach to sustainability. We can only learn and benefit as a whole from sharing the wealth of experience that exists within the industry. It is also hugely important that we engage with the next generation of young designers to see where the future can take us. Most importantly, it is a chance for us to give back and that is very much a part of our ongoing business strategy.’

The winning entry came from Morten Schnedler Jørgensen, whose sleek, multi-functional Arabesk stool made the perfect vessel for the FSC-certified oak. The unit can act as a stool, stackable table or storage space, making it a versatile and usable piece of furniture in limited spaces or as part of a larger ensemble. As the main sponsor of the event, ScanCom will welcome Morten to Vietnam in Spring 2020, where he will develop his idea into a sales-ready FSC-Certified product.

‘An important part of the work with young designers is the mutual sparring. We get inspiration for new designs and methods that we can use actively. The winner will have the opportunity to work with our technical team, production team and product team. There is thus ample opportunity to influence and create development’, says Commercial Director of ScanCom International, Lars Rudkjøbing about their commitment to the FSC Design Award.