Innovative solutions, made in Australia, across three design philosophies.
Change Making
People have always made things. Cultures for centuries have had their methods. Unfortunately, design-for-the-masses has taken over.
But this isn’t about nostalgia and going back to the simple ways.
This is about revisiting the ways in which things were made more sustainably from natural or recycled materials.
It’s the return of design that inspires us and truly cares about its lasting impact. Design for a circular economy rather than a linear one.
We’re about making change in the design world by giving back to the communities that have been underserved and promoting sustainable design that is good for people and the planet.
Our philosophy guides us to not only inspire the next generation of makers, but inspire people to make a change with how they choose to furnish their homes, offices and learning environments.
Our Story
Koskela was founded by partners Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky in 2000, who left behind lucrative careers in the corporate world in a bid to create a furniture and design company with a courageous mindset and strong social conscience. They sought to bring their vision to life with Australian manufacturing. The ongoing success of Koskela can be attributed to the integrity of the founders who remain true to their original vision and values.
Our Values
Create genuine impact
When we design or work with makers, we ask how ourselves: will this make things better? Will it leave a real and lasting impression on people without leaving a big footprint on the planet? Is this part of a more circular economy?
Collaborate meaningfully
We seek out the individuals and communities with their local customs and practices that we think are doing something special. We want to show everyone the magic that can come from collaborating with local artisans that have a different take on the world.
Design with intent
Everything we design is done with the purpose of enriching the spaces we inhabit so life is more pleasurable. We see the emotional connection with our spaces being just as important as the functional use of each piece.
Our Impact
As a Certified B Corporation®, Koskela believes that business can be a force for good™. Our impact is what drives us, and we focus on two causes where we can make a significant difference.
Sustainability
Koskela is committed to tread as lightly as possible on the natural world. We consider our impact on the planet in the way our products are designed, made and what goes into them, as well as in the way we do business. Koskela's Future Fit program will transition Koskela’s products to a closed loop system and ensure we achieve our goal of lowering carbon emissions to Absolute Zero by 2030 (without offsets). We want to lead the way in an industry that has often been detrimental to the natural world.
Social impact
Koskela is deeply committed to reconciling with our First Nations history and cultures. One of the ways we do this is to create income earning opportunities for First Nations artists and makers through collaborative design projects. This generates an income independent of Government, helping artists to continue to live a life they have chosen to lead and maintain their traditional practices. It also facilitates artists to access markets outside the traditional art markets, enabling them to tell their stories and showcase their cultures to a broader audience. To date we have collaborated with 49 First Nations artist and art centre partners, generating over $1.1 million in income.