Sustainability through design and process

The design company VOLA’s fixtures have a long-lasting design, yet are sustainable inside and out, in both use and in production.

The green fixture VOLA HV1 was designed in 1968 by world-famous Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, for the Central bank in Copenhagen. The classic fixtures’ design is dateless, but still current and trendy in the design industry. The fixture is created to be durable through generations, and is also green on the inside. “Our classics have a dateless design and are composed by the best materials and made to last for generations. It is the most sustainable way to create products”, Birthe Tofting, Director of Int. Sales, Marketing & HR explains.

Quality and sustainability is a guiding design principle for VOLA, and the fixtures’ design and use is made to reduce the environmental impact. VOLA’s fixtures can be optimised with water saving components to regulate and reduce water consumption. “The option of water saving is incorporated into all our products. The developer can customise the use of water in every installation”, Birthe Tofting explains. The basis of a responsible handling of water as a vital natural resource is the user’s experience. The reduction of environmental impact is also rooted in the production of the well-known fixtures.

Local production
To VOLA, a sustainable chain of production begins with the company’s local engagement. In 2018, the VOLA brand celebrates its 50th anniversary. The production started at a small factory in Aarhus and the local production is an ongoing strategy. The fixtures are now made in VOLA’s factory in Horsens, including the majority of the fixture’s smaller components. “We still deliver spare parts for fixtures produced 40-50 years ago”, Birthe Tofting explains.

The award-winning shower VOLA 060, which is produced of solid brass, is an example of recycling in the production, Birthe Tofting explains: ”All turnings created in the production process are recycled and made into metal that we use for the production of new fixtures”. VOLA is certified in accordance with quality standard ISO 9001, environmental standard ISO 14001 and work environment standard ISO 18001.

VOLA Academy is located next to the factory in Horsens. The academy was established in 2008, and accommodates architects from all over the world for design- and architecture conferences. The company employs a total of 220 employees at the Horsens division and in VOLA Academy, the employees can follow lessons in language and mathematics, and fitters are taught in the special mounting of the VOLA fixtures. Thus, VOLA has been rewarded with the CSR-award 2017 in Horsens Municipality as a recognition of the company’s social involvement in recruiting new groups from the labour market. 

Facts:

// The three core values of Aarhus 2017 European Capital of Culture is democracy, sustainability and diversity. In a series of articles, partners in Aarhus 2017 tell about their sustainable initiatives in relation to both environment and society. 

// On 10. September, the 3rd debate in the series of Hypothetical-events takes place. The moderator is journalist Clement Kjersgaard, and the debate will revolve around the future of sustainable development. Participating in the panel is former European Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, and senior researcher at the Danish meteorological Institute (DMI) and many more. Read more here.