Improved enjoyment and functionality in exercise and nature through design

Innovative, creative solutions in the sport and fitness sector are important when seeking solutions to big problems in population health and wellbeing.

Ready Steady GO! Finland raises the profile of the collaboration between exercise and design during WDC Helsinki 2012. The aim is to create functional products and services that encourage exercise, with the help of design.

The purpose of Ready Steady GO! Finland is to create a permanent model of joint development work for various sectors, also between private and public organisations. The participants are 13 fitness and design sector companies and the cities of Espoo and Lahti, both investing in fitness and exercise.

Anyone out and about in the natural environment is also attracted by nature’s own design. This year’s Finnish Sports Gala was the first time the special Finnish sport design jubilee prize of the Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo was awarded. It was won by the varied nature services of Metsähallitus. The services are intended to maintain Finnish people’s relationship with nature.

The nature services provided by Metsähallitus include both traditional and innovative offerings, from forest cabins, camp shelters and hiking trails to online services. The Haltia nature centre, currently under construction, other nature centres, and Science Centre Pilke are exhibition and event centres providing information and experiences of nature. At Haltia and Pilke, architecture, design and environmental awareness are mutually supportive.

The long-term plans of Metsähallitus are founded on sustainable development. Areas under the care of the nature services are visited annually almost five million times, by people who come to walk, hike, canoe, row, swim, ride, snow-shoe trek and ski. Thanks to the nature services, even city residents have easy access to nature to seek health and wellbeing.

The nature services provided by Metsähallitus are detailed here.