Vestre

The sun shone over Studsvik as we celebrated the opening of Better Energy's newest solar park in Sweden today☀️⁠🇸🇪⁠ ⁠ What makes this solar park special is that the amount of energy Vestre is offtaking will make our entire Swedish operation fully renewable! This achievement marks a significant step toward our long-term goal of providing more energy back to the grid than we consume as a company and minimize our environmental impact.⁠ ⁠ The opening event at the solar park offered an opportunity to hear from local stakeholders and organizations who contributed to establishing the park. Our CEO, Bjørn Fjellstad, took the stage to share how this renewable energy Power Purchasing Agreement positively impacts our sustainability strategy and business, highlighting our commitment to green energy and how it helps increase the overall amount of renewable energy in the system. ⁠ Together, we can drive the change needed to ensure a healthier planet for future generations!⁠ #solarpower #renewableenergy

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth at ASLA in DC last week! It was great to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones, while discussing exciting projects from coast to coast. We also gained invaluable insights into the dynamics of our largest market🙏 On top of that, we’re thrilled by the amazing feedback on TELLUS—the world’s first bench made from fossil-free steel. We truly appreciate all the support💚 #ASLA2024

TELLUS has about 75% lower carbon emissions than a comparable bench made from traditional steel⁠📉⁠ ⁠ TELLUS is the world's first furniture made from fossil-free steel. It’s the same steel but without the large CO2 emissions. We would never compromise on quality! #sustainabledesign #urbanfurniture #fossilfreesteel ⁠ Design: Emma Olbers

The world’s first furniture made from fossil-free steel is available🥳💚⁠ ⁠ Steel is one of society’s most important materials and plays a crucial role in everything Vestre creates. Despite its strength, steel production has always had a weakness: its climate impact, contributing 7–9% of global emissions! Now, thanks to SSAB using fossil-free hydrogen instead of coal in the production process, fossil-free steel is a reality—with water as the only by-product💧⁠ ⁠ We’ve used this innovative material to create the TELLUS bench!⁠ ⁠ Wondering if fossil-free steel is as strong? We confidently say it’s even better. The steel is as strong as ever, but the production processes have strengthened, reflecting our commitment to investing in a brighter and more sustainable future! Learn more about TELLUS and fossil-free steel here👇 #fossilfreesteel #sustainabledesign #urbanfurniture

All of Vestre’s steel components are hot-dip galvanized by dipping them in a 450 °C liquid zinc bath!⁠ ⁠ This process gives the steel a rust-resistant coating (80–120 μ) that allows our products to stay outdoors for decades💪 In the first year, about 2–4 μ of the coating wears off due to use and weather, but after that, it drops to just 1–2 μ per year, ensuring a lifespan of 30–40 years outdoors. ⁠ ⁠ Steel that’s powder-coated after galvanizing lasts even longer, as the powder protects the zinc. If the surface gets damaged, galvanized products can repair themselves by the zinc forming a new layer, a process called cathodic protection. Hot-dip galvanizing was first patented by French engineer Sorel in 1837 and is now done according to strict environmental standards (ISO 1461). Zinc (Zn) is a natural, renewable material found in stone, water, and even humans. #hotdipgalvanizing

We're super excited for ASLA 2024🥳🇺🇸 Join us at booth 3037 where we'll showcase the world's first furniture made from fossil-free steel – TELLUS, along with our brand-new BLOC bar series.⁠ ⁠ Come by and learn about TELLUS, sustainable production, and what we’re doing at Vestre. Mark your calendar for October 7–8 in Washington, DC. Don't forget to swing by and say hi👋⁠ #ASLA2024

Ever wonder why elevator small talk feels awkward or why you rarely see more than two people on the same bench? Proxemics, a theory coined by Edward T. Hall in the 1960s, explains our social spacing. It's about how close we get based on familiarity and context. Designer Allan Hagerup dives into how knowing about this can shape public spaces and make them more inclusive and appealing. Read the full article here👇 #proxemics #socialspacing #publicspace #landscapearchitecture

We are very proud to be one of seven companies that have received the "Best Managed Companies" recognition, a jury-based award from Deloitte🥳 Best Managed Companies is a program by Deloitte that recognizes privately-owned Norwegian companies based on several criteria, including strategic management, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, financial management and control. The program was originally established in Canada in 1993 and is now conducted in over 45 countries, including Norway. The jury highlighted the team spirit and strong company culture as some of the reasons why Vestre was selected, along with the consistent work on implementing and executing the strategy at all levels of the organization. “With Norway's Best Managed Companies, we want to draw attention to the truly outstanding medium-sized Norwegian companies. Our goal with this program is to encourage, develop, and inspire Norwegian companies toward further growth and international expansion,” says Sjur Gaaseide, CEO of Deloitte Norway.

Benches play a vital role in our public lives, offering opportunities for relaxation and social interaction. Since 2021, Dr. Julia King and Olivia Theocharides-Feldman have led the Young Researchers-in-Residence program at LSE Cities at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). During their research into the use of public space by teenage girls, they discovered that benches, often used as hangout spots, are both essential and contentious for this demographic. In this article, they share some key findings and insights concerning how parks and public spaces can better cater for teenage girls👇 #publicspace #landscapearchitecture #urbanspace #inclusivedesign

This summer, we are collaborating with the City of Stockholm (Stockholms stad) to create temporary and accessible social meeting places for the city's youth, a project close to our hearts💛⁠ ⁠ At the Kulturpontonen (in English, "the Cultural Pontoon") in Liljeholmshamnen, space is created for both activities and socializing! One of the organizers, Outdoor Sessions, hosts dance sessions with international choreographers, making the pontoon amazingly lively. ⁠ "Culture is an important part of the city's work in developing the quays. This year, we had the pleasure of having Vestre and Jernhusen AB with us to enhance the experience and bring the quays to life. The beautiful view from the pontoon, combined with a first-class program by and for young people, has been the charm and attraction that made people discover the place and its potential, making them want to come back. Now, the Cultural Pontoon has become a destination in its own right," says Fariba Daryani, project manager at the City of Stockholm. #socialmeetingplaces