Scandinavian Splendor: CaraGreen x Durat Designer Experience in Finland
This June, CaraGreen and Durat had the incredible pleasure of hosting a remarkable group of designers on an unforgettable journey through Finland—an immersive experience celebrating sustainability, design innovation, and architectural heritage.
Durat’s Sustainable Heart in Turku
Our adventure began in Turku, the historic capital of Finland and home to Durat’s factory, where we explored the behind-the-scenes process of their vibrant, sustainable solid surface material made from post-industrial plastic. The team at Durat welcomed us with open arms, offering an in-depth look at their closed-loop production process, from raw material to richly textured surface. We saw firsthand how waste can be transformed into beauty—and function—with exceptional Scandinavian finesse.
After the factory tour, we set off on a boat excursion through the Turku archipelago, a breathtaking cluster of islands that dot the Baltic Sea. Our serene cruise was complete with homemade salmon soup, served onboard in true Finnish tradition. That meal alone was worth the trip.
Back on land, we wandered through Turku’s riverfront full of beautiful architecture and boat-turned-restaurants docked along the Aura River. The city’s blend of innovation and history was inspiring, and the vibe matched the sustainable spirit we saw at Durat’s headquarters.
Helsinki: Architecture, Art & Aalto
From Turku, we traveled to Helsinki, where design pulses through every street and storefront. A visit to the Durat showroom offered a stunning glimpse of their colorways in situ, surrounded by minimalist interiors and cutting-edge applications.
We immersed ourselves in Finnish architectural history with a pilgrimage to two masterpieces by the legendary Alvar Aalto:
- Paimio Sanatorium (formerly known as the Sanitorium), a modernist marvel designed for healing, where every element from door handles to sinks was meticulously considered for the patient experience.
- Finlandia Hall, an iconic Helsinki venue that not only exemplifies Aalto’s genius but also currently houses an engaging exhibition on his life and work, tracing his influence across decades and disciplines.
Design, Castles, and Sauna Culture
One of the most enchanting evenings took us to a historic Finnish manor house, where we were treated to a decadent, locally-sourced dinner in a castle-like setting. The meal was a celebration of Finnish culinary tradition, and the setting transported us to another time.
No Finnish experience is complete without a sauna, and we wrapped our journey at Löyly, the iconic seaside public sauna and restaurant in Helsinki (often misheard as “Laana”). We enjoyed a lovely meal overlooking the water, braved the hot sauna, and dove into the chilly Baltic—pure Nordic bliss.
Thank You to Our Community
We are deeply grateful to the amazing designers who joined us—your curiosity, creativity, and camaraderie made this trip unforgettable. A huge thank you to Durat for being such generous and inspiring hosts.
We plan to make this a yearly tradition, so if you or someone from your design team would like to be part of our next Finnish design odyssey, reach out and let us know. The adventure—and inspiration—awaits.
Kiitos!
