Circularity meets elegance for contemporary interiors

Published by
Indesignlive
March 1, 2025

With its fusion of architectural sensibility and impeccable sustainability credentials, the furniture of Actiu provides exceptional options for comfortable, collaborative, productive and calm indoor environments.

The Spanish company was a pioneer in certified circular economy approaches, registering on the platform of Spain’s Ministry and Ecological Transition to disclose its carbon footprint and obtaining LEED and WELL Platinum certifications for its Technology Park in Castalla (Alicante) – becoming the first industrial development to achieve these demanding certifications.

Story continues below advertisement

The sustainability approach embraces the fundamentals of responsible resource stewardship – renewable energy use, energy-efficiency, avoiding hazardous or toxic materials, local sourcing and the utilisation of recycled and reclaimed materials in many of the furniture products.

The sophisticated yet durable FLUIT chairs are an excellent example of how Actiu puts sustainability principles into practice. Designed as a stackable, lightweight streamlined seating option for both indoors and outdoors, FLUIT is made with 100% recycled fibreglass and polypropylene plastic which has been certified by Green World Compounding.

The material is also locally sourced from fruit and vegetable boxes from Andalusia in Spain which is known as the vegetable garden of Europe. The beauty of the design and its low impact environmental qualities have been recognised with the prestigious IF Design Award and the German Design Award.

Story continues below advertisement

“Sustainability is not just a trend, but an imperative need to ensure a balanced future. At Actiu, we believe that design and innovation must go hand in hand with respect for the environment, committed to an industry that is capable of generating spaces that are responsible for the planet and future generations”. Carmen Berbegal, Director of Sustainability and CSR at Actiu.

Meetia is another outstanding range which embodies care for both people and the planet. These welcoming and distinctive sofas and armchairs designed by award-winning architect and designer Ramón Esteve combine warmth and nurture with a minimalist aesthetic that gives them the appearance of enhancing space rather than dominating it. Meetia was lauded in the German Good Design Awards 2024.

Story continues below advertisement

The oak or fabric effect exterior combined with the burnished brass edging is combined with a softly upholstered interior of fully sustainable fabrics. The effect is to embrace both space and occupants, something which has been demonstrated in the exceptional Universidad Europea in Valencia.

The conversion of a former hospice to an international centre for teaching and learning seamlessly fuses the unique heritage elements with the best of contemporary furnishings and fitout. Meetia is entirely at home in this space, synthesising elements of the timeless with the glamour of the new.

Another of the Actiu’s exceptional products which speaks to this transformative moment in how we work is the Qyos booths.

Crafted from sustainable materials, the Qvos booths are the solution for enhancing wellbeing and creating zones of calm, privacy and focus in an open floorplan office or other socially-activated space.

Careful thought has been given to the quality of sound, with acoustic insulation that both shield occupants from external noise while ensuring the sounds made inside during calls, meetings or brainstorming are attuned to acoustic qualities that support human health and wellbeing.

The capabilities of the Qvos booths have been deployed to both functional and aesthetic effect in the new office for Endesa in Seville, designed by architect Ingravitto. The activated floorplan synchs with the company’s teleworking culture, balancing zones for focus and quiet with areas designed to foster human encounters and conversations.

Qvos was also a winner at the German Design Awards 2024, adding to the enviable list of recognitions Actiu has garnered, which also include awards from Red Dot, Design Preis, FX, German Design Award, Delta Awards, If Design and The Best of NeoCon.

Actiu has completed projects in more than 90 countries, and has showrooms in Castalla, Madrid, London, Paris, Lisbon, Sydney, Miami and Dubai.