Furniture reuse has become a natural part of Lund University’s sustainability work. During the renovation of Gamla Lungkliniken and the new IKO premises in Gamla Polikliniken, interior designers have carried out a thorough inventory of existing furniture to determine what can be renovated and reused.
– “Chairs and sofas are often easy to reuse. Desks can be given new life by replacing tabletops while keeping the frames. We’re leaving the throwaway culture behind us. It’s about thinking circularly, making the most of what we already have while creating environments that work well and feel alive, spaces people enjoy being in,” explains Carolina Rijpma, Interior Design Project Manager.
According to Carolina, there are rarely major financial savings from reuse but it doesn’t necessarily cost more than buying new. The true value lies in sustainability and in preserving furniture with both history and significant material worth.
– “I don’t think people always realize that many of the pieces in our buildings are actually Swedish design classics.”
One example Carolina mentions is that the university has previously refurbished over 1,300 of the classic “91:an” chairs, giving them several more decades of use.
– “There’s a sense of pride in being able to say that chairs from the 1990s can now last another 30 years. It’s a satisfying thought,” she says.
Beyond the environmental benefits, Carolina emphasizes that reuse also contributes to aesthetic harmony. The mix of older and newly restored furniture adds character and allows the interiors to resonate with the building’s original style.
The work aligns with the university’s sustainability goals and existing circular framework agreements. Those interested in learning more can consult the Routine for Circular Furniture Flows, developed to guide departments on how to inventory, dispose of, and purchase furniture with sustainability in mind.
Cirkulära möbelflöden och inköp av ny inredning (PDF. In swedish, new page)
