A Higher Unity of Aesthetics and Sustainability
At KOLEKTO, we aim to merge aesthetics and sustainability into a higher unity. We believe that design should not only be beautiful but also responsible, mindful, and enduring.
We work across several key aspects of sustainability:
Sustainable design, circular economy, local production, social sustainability, and aesthetic sustainability.
All our products are designed and handmade at our studio and workshop in Copenhagen. While many companies move production abroad due to lower costs, we prioritize local production for several reasons. Outsourcing often comes with a higher carbon footprint and makes it harder to ensure sustainable materials and ethical working conditions.
Producing locally allows us to be fully involved in every step—from the first sketch to the finished product. We love the global community, but there’s something deeply valuable about goods being created where they are imagined. It’s not just about proximity; it’s about presence and purpose.
We work primarily with sustainably certified wood and continue to explore new, natural materials. Our surface treatments use vegetable-based varnish, organic paint, walnut oil, or linseed oil—carefully chosen to respect both people and the planet.
We design with longevity and minimal waste in mind. Every millimeter of wood, every drop of paint or varnish is used with care. Offcuts are repurposed, and second-sorted pieces are donated to charitable causes rather than discarded.
Instead of traditional packaging, many of our items come in handmade boxes. These can be engraved with a name or personal message, which not only reduces waste but also makes each gift more meaningful. A personalized object becomes something people care for and carry with them through life.
Social sustainability:
Collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of our process. Every KOLEKTO team member, partner, and supplier plays a role in shaping our designs. We actively involve our wood, paint, and oil suppliers in development dialogues—drawing on their knowledge and forging long-term, sustainable relationships.
Our retail partners are also collaborators. We listen to their feedback and create custom designs to suit their unique audiences. Over the years, we've co-developed sustainable, custom-made designs for:
The United Nations (awards for the World Climate Conferences, 2019–2022)
Wind energy suppliers (decorative wooden windmills)
RealDania (architectural blocks for the Climate Summit)
Merkur Bank (anniversary artworks for Denmark’s sustainable bank)
Carlsberg & Carlsberg Foundation (puzzle-based decorative blocks and awards)
View all PROJECTS
Our guiding principle is that sustainability and aesthetics must unite. Beauty may be subjective, but we believe that thoughtful materials, clean design language, skilled craftsmanship, and attention to detail are universally felt.
We want our products to speak to the senses—objects you’ll want to keep, care for, and pass on. Many can be personalized with a name or engraved message, enhancing both emotional connection and longevity.
Each piece is handmade, not mass-produced. That means no two are exactly alike. Some may see the subtle marks of craftsmanship as imperfections. We see them as stories. As Leonard Cohen sang:
"There is a crack in everything—that's how the light gets in."
