Viita Workstation
2021 · Vuoden Huiput · Hopeahuippu · Creative & Product Designer
About
The Viita Workstation was developed as part of Lahti’s European Green Capital 2021 initiative. We produced and installed a series of open-air desks designed for remote working in the middle of Lahti’s natural landscapes. Located across five scenic sites, the workstations are freely accessible to both residents and visitors—offering a unique opportunity to pause, connect with nature, and work outdoors.
The structures were crafted from Finnish spruce by a Lahti-based carpenter in collaboration with the design company Upwood, combining local materials with durable, sustainable production methods.
To maximize impact, the campaign was launched through PR, social media content, and influencer collaborations. We also made the design open-source, encouraging other cities to adopt and build their own versions—supporting a broader shift toward nature-integrated remote working.
Results
300+ earned media placements, ranging from Fast Company to GQ
100+ million people reached through PR
The concept travelled beyond Lahti, with Viita
Workstations later adopted by Fredriksdal Museums and Gardens in Helsingborg, Sweden.
Viita workstation won a Hopeahuippu at Grafia's Vuoden Huiput and received widespread international media coverage.
My role
Led the design process, covering creative concept development, product design, and 3D modeling.
TBWA\Helsinki
Brief:
Design a durable outdoor workstation for Lahti’s European Green Capital year — one that enables remote work in nature without harming the surrounding environment.
The problem:
Create a functional workspace that could withstand weather and public use, while attaching securely to trees without leaving a permanent trace.
The solution:
A compact workstation that brings the essentials of remote work into the forest. Its soft, nature-inspired form blends into the surroundings, while integrated spaces for a laptop, phone, drink, pens and bag make working outdoors practical. The workstation attaches to trees with cargo straps, leaving them unharmed.
"An insightful and timely implementation that takes a functional approach to outdoor advertising. Raises the profile of the advertiser with a beautiful, modern and practical solution. An advertisement that genuinely builds a better environment."
Grafia
To reflect the natural context of the project, I explored twelve initial concepts inspired by organic forms found in forests. The designs drew from elements such as tree bark, reflective water surfaces, and details like mushrooms and birdhouses, translating these into a cohesive visual language.
After aligning on a preferred direction with the team, I developed three refined design options, focusing on variations in the thickness of the rounded wooden structures. Given that the Viita workstation was intended for outdoor use, durability became a key consideration, leading us to select the first concept for its structural strength and visual balance.
The design was then translated into a 3D model by me and my colleague, after which I was responsible for rendering the visuals, creating the client presentation, and producing manufacturing guidelines for the carpenter.
