HOME APPLIANCES CONVERTED INTO DESIGN ITEMS
V-ZUG, known for high-quality, Swiss-engineered household goods devices from ovens and hobs to dishwashers and washing machines, it facilitates the transition of its machines from active use to a second, quieter life as household furniture. Instead of allowing decommissioned units to enter as standard recycling flows where material value can be lost, the ‘Repurpose’ initiative repurposes discarded components as a lasting presence within the home. By diverting these materials from traditional disposal, the rapid energy of clothing care is distilled into stable, functional objects.
V-ZUG launches Repurpose Products | all images courtesy V-ZUG
CIRCULAR DESIGN MEETS SWISS CRAFTSMANSHIP
The first life of a V-ZUG washing machine is defined by decades of high-speed utility. When this cycle is complete, the companyThe ‘Repurpose’ strategy ensures that the heart of the device — the stainless steel drum — is not lost to recycling, a process that often destroys material value. Instead, these components are released from their mechanical shells to become the Adora Pouf and Adora Table.
disassembled stainless steel barrels of a decommissioned washing machine
This transformation is made possible through a local partnership with Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft Zug (GGZ), a social institution where decommissioned machines are systematically dismantled. By moving from automated shredding to human-paced disassembly, clean material streams are separated, allowing high-quality drums to be cleaned and redesigned. Once salvaged, the drums are passed on to a network of Swiss specialists: Spritzwerk Rotkreuz handles the sandblasting and powder coating, while DER SATTLER and Buchmann & Britschgi contribute their respective expertise in upholstery and carpentry.
By keeping every step of production within Switzerland, V-ZUG ensures traceability and regional value creation, while tangibly closing the material loop. The result is objects where the intense energy of the washing machine is distilled into a tactile piece of furniture that offers discreet storage and a quiet, domestic presence.
humane-paced disassembly by non-profit organization Zug
V-ZUG REPURPOSE PRODUCTS EXTEND THE LIFE OF PRECIOUS MATERIALS
No longer defined by their previous mechanical work, the Adora Pouf and Table offer discreet storage for everyday essentials while bringing a distinctive character to modern interiors. This transformation extends beyond steel with the multipurpose bowl — made from the temperature-resistant door glass of decommissioned engines — further highlighting how minimalist design can find value in previously unrecycled materials.
Multi-purpose bowl, made from the temperature-resistant door glass of decommissioned washing machines
Guided by a hierarchy of “Strategic R’s” — repair, reuse, recycle, refurbish, reuse — the company is committed to extending the life of its materials for as long as possible. Treating each decommissioned machine as a source for new domestic stories, V-ZUG continues to close the material circle, ensuring that the work of the past sustains the collective imagination of the future.
The Repurpose collection is a unique milestone in a much wider circular vision for V-ZUG. It acts as a proof of concept for the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, which prioritizes the systematic disassembly of devices over simple recycling to significantly reduce their ecological footprint. As V-ZUG looks to the future, the goal is to extend this concept to other product categories, scaling up sustainability one item at a time.
DER SATTLER wallpaper
Spritzwerk Rotkreuz handles sandblasting and powder coating
