We will kick off 2026 with the Sustainable Design Talks event as part of Arkmuoto Festival.

Join us at Helsinki City Hall on 4 February 2026 for an encouraging morning, and dive into the latest insights on sustainability in design. The British Design Council will present their Skills for Planet Blueprint, mapping out the essential green design skills that all designers need to integrate sustainability into their work. Learn how these skills can guide practical, responsible design and support the future of sustainable design practice in Finland.

The event will be held in English and is a must-attend for designers, creative professionals, and anyone interested in shaping a more sustainable future through design!

Build critical future skills and accelerate your sustainability expertise together with our expert network. Join us at any point during the year 2026! More information about our Training Programme in this page.

The event is hosted by Anna Pyyluoma & Michelle Sahal Estimé (EMPACT OY)

Sustainable Design Talks

Program Highlights

9:00 | Arrival & Registration
Meet colleagues over coffee or tea and set the stage for a morning of learning and discussion.

9:30 | Opening Remarks
Chairperson of Ornamo’s Board Katja Soini (Strategy and Sustainability Director, AFRY Infrastructure Finland) will welcome participants and set the context for a day of forward-thinking conversations.

9:40 | Skills for Planet Blueprint
Gain exclusive insights from the British Design Council as Ruth Wassermann
Design Strategy & Sustainable Leadership and Design Council Expert presents the Skills for Planet Blueprint — a framework mapping the essential green design skills that designers need to tackle climate, environmental, and social challenges. Learn what the future of sustainable design skills looks like and how this global perspective can inspire Finnish design practice.

10:30 | Navigating the Future
Explore how sustainability is reshaping the operating environment for design companies, cities, and industries. This session features an introductory presentation followed by a panel discussion with experts including designers Katja Soini, Tapani Jokinen and Emma Berg, as well as Ruth Wassermann, British Design Council Expert, reflecting on local applications of global sustainability insights.

11:30 | Introduction to Ornamo’s Sustainability Events 2026
Discover the upcoming initiatives and events focused on sustainable design, and how you can engage with Ornamo’s growing network of responsible design professionals.

12:00 | Wrap-Up & Networking
A short recap of the key takeaways, followed by time to connect with peers, share ideas, and build partnerships for a sustainable design future.

Katja Soini (AFRY) is the Strategy and Sustainability Director at AFRY, one of Europe’s leading design and consulting firms, where she spearheads sustainable business ventures in the built environment. With a focus on empathic and collaborative approaches, she drives systemic change.   

Tapani Jokinen (TJ-Design) is an industrial designer and Circular Design expert with over 25 years of international experience in product and service design, helping organizations create sustainable, circular business models.

Emma Berg (City of Helsinki, Building Control Services) is a service designer and energy specialist developing energy advisory services and solutions for housing companies.

MEET THE FACILITATORS

Michelle Sahal Estimé (Empact) combines human-centered design, strategic foresight, and equity advocacy to create inclusive solutions for digital and physical society. She works as a service designer and is co-founder of Empact. 

Anna Pyyluoma (Empact)  is a service designer and co-founder of Empact, supporting organizations to adapt to change through strategic planning, service design, and sustainable, inclusive solutions. 

This event is part of KESY -project.

The Sustainable Design Entrepreneurship Network (KESY) develops a unique multidisciplinary R&D collaboration model connecting small and medium-sized design businesses with researchers to share knowledge on sustainability laws, regulations, and responsible design practices. The project offers design professionals the opportunity to build critical future skills and strengthen their sustainability expertise throughout 2026. Participants gain access to workshops, networking events, and sparring sessions, learning how to integrate sustainability and responsible practices into their work while connecting with peers and experts across the design sector.