Buroo Brings Circular Working to Life at the KIOSK
At the KIOSK of Designregio Kortrijk, a new circular initiative from De Kringloopwinkel Deltagroep in South West Flanders is being presented: Buroo. Buroo is a unique circular project that demonstrates how secondhand and refurbished office furniture offers a fully-fledged, future-oriented alternative to new. The presentation, in collaboration with Cobras Architects, invites passersby to take a fresh look at workspaces, reuse, and sustainability.
For years, the South-West Flanders Thrift Store had been receiving requests from companies and organizations to pick up large quantities of office furniture, often in connection with relocations or office renovations. “We were dealing with hundreds of sturdy desks and chairs at a time, but our traditional thrift store model couldn’t handle it,” explains director Ellen De Craemer. Due to a lack of logistics, space, and sales channels, much of this high-quality furniture still ended up in the trash, which went against the thrift store’s mission.
This observation led to the creation of Buroo: a dedicated circular pathway for office furniture. With specialized storage, an online store, a showroom, and a professional furniture removal service—as well as through partnerships with social enterprises and circular economy partners—a sustainable solution was developed.
Today, Buroo offers affordable, high-quality, and circular office furniture in bulk to businesses, organizations, schools, and startups. “Affordable for the customer, better for the planet, and meaningful work for our employees,” Ellen concludes.
At the KIOSK, Buroo translates this story into a colorful, visual presentation by Cobras Architects from Kortrijk. Cobras transforms living and working spaces into improved, flexible, and future-oriented environments. The glass space serves as both a showcase and a source of inspiration, where passersby can discover the possibilities of circular office design. The installation demonstrates that reuse does not have to compromise on quality, aesthetics, or functionality, and that circular working fits perfectly into a contemporary work environment.
You can explore and order the current selection via the website or visit the showroom in Heule (Warande 9).
Buroo is brought to life with strong and reliable partners. De Kringloopwinkel is the driving force behind the Buroo project. Constructief is De Kringloopwinkel’s sister social enterprise; they ensure that every piece of furniture is not only functional again but also professionally finished and sustainable. COBRAS supports the project as a strategic partner in architecture and workplace design, and SURA guides Buroo in its broader sustainability strategy. With the support of VLAIO Vlaanderen Circulair.
Lise Van Tendeloo
Every year, Lise invites promising international designers to Kortrijk for exciting residency projects. She is also responsible for the research and experimentation part of the organisation.
