Secto Design at the Finnish Institute in the UK & Ireland

Secto Design has had the pleasure to organize the very last exhibition of the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland at their current space at Kings Cross. Although the Institute doesn’t have an actual gallery, they boast with a row a large windows facing the bustling York Way in Northern London. What would be a better spot for the Secto Design lamps to hang than by these windows, bringing light not only inside the Institute but also to the people passing by on the streets of London?

In his opening speech, architect Seppo Koho described how the Nordic light has influenced his work and the design of Secto Design lamps.

At the opening event of the exhibition the designer behind the entire lighting collection, architect Seppo Koho, shared his insights on how nature shapes his ideas, interlinking architectural principles with the natural light patterns of the Finnish landscape. The company’s part-owner, Joakim Jusélius, proved how sustainability is in the brand’s DNA. He shared the commitments of Secto Design to environmental responsibilities, from the understated yet vital changes of packaging materials to bigger investments and future plans.

Factory CEO Joakim Jusélius told the audience about the forthcoming LCA report. Thanks to the LCA, Secto Design will soon be able to present a completely realistic picture of its environmental impacts.

In addition, Gary Thornton, the director of the award-winning architectural lighting design practice Nulty, discussed how to create successful lighting schemes. In his speech he shared his thoughts of the theme of creating a circular economy with lighting in architectural projects. He emphasized collaboration and partnership to achieve not only beautifully considered projects, but also long lasting designs with little impact on our planet. After the presentations the same themes popped up in the enthusiastic discussions among the guests, while they mingled enjoying the world-renowned Finnish Napue gin by Kyrö Distillery and some traditional Finnish nibbles. 

Director Gary Thornton from the architectural lighting design practice Nulty discussed how to create successful and sustainable lighting schemes as we move to a circular economy.

“Secto Design’s exhibition has created a warm ambiance at the Institute, illuminating the dark season with an inviting glow that has also attracted passers-by, who have stopped to admire the installation outside our windows”, comments Jaakko Nousiainen, the director of the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland.

Jaakko Nousiainen, the director of the Finnish Institute for the UK and Ireland.

The Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland exhibits Finnish culture in various ways, and links different parties between Finland and the UK. In addition to this, it also acts as an advance polling station of the Presidential election of Finland on both rounds for the Finns living in London:  

“We are currently also welcoming Finnish citizens in London to vote. The Institute acts as a polling station now for the first time, and the visitors also have a chance to enjoy Secto Design’s exhibition while they vote. On the first round we already had nearly 600 visitors. After the voting and the exhibition end on the 4th of February, we will be moving into a new space located in Somerset House by the River Thames. We’re glad to adorn the new space with Secto Design’s table and floor lamps. They will bring an elegant touch of contemporary Finnish lighting design to contrast Somerset House’s beautiful neoclassical architecture”, states Jaakko Nousiainen. 

The vernissage guests were interested in the innovative design of the Puncto and Kontro pendants.