V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest

by dismantling decommissioned washing machines, V-ZUG turns mechanical utility into a collection of poufs and tables for the home.

lisa kostyra May 13, 2026 4 min

HOME APPLIANCES REPURPOSED INTO DESIGN ITEMS

V-ZUG, known for high-quality, Swiss-engineered household appliances from ovens and hobs to dishwashers and washing machines, is facilitating a transition for its machinery from active utility to a second, quieter life as domestic furniture. Rather than allowing decommissioned units to enter standard recycling streams where material value can be lost, the ‘Repurpose’ initiative reimagines discarded components as a lasting presence within the home. By diverting these materials from traditional disposal, the rapid energy of laundry care is distilled into stationary, functional objects.

V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest - 1 — V-ZUG launches its Repurpose Products | all images courtesy V-ZUG

CIRCULAR DESIGN MEETS SWISS CRAFTSMENSHIP

The first life of a V-ZUG washing machine is defined by decades of high-speed utility. When this cycle concludes, the company’s ‘Repurpose’ strategy ensures that the heart of the appliance — the stainless steel drum — is not lost to downcycling, a process that often destroys material value. Instead, these components are liberated from their mechanical shells to become the Adora Pouf and Adora Table.

V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest - 2 — dismantled stainless steel drums of decommissioned washing machine

This transformation is made possible through a local partnership with the Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft Zug (GGZ), a social institution where decommissioned machines are systematically disassembled. By shifting from automated shredding to human-paced dismantling, pure material streams are separated, allowing the high-quality drums to be cleaned and reimagined. Once salvaged, the drums are passed 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 woodwork.

By keeping every step of production within Switzerland, V-ZUG ensures traceability and regional value creation while tangibly closing the material loop. The result are objects where the intense energy of the laundry room is distilled into a tactile furniture piece that offers discreet storage and a quiet, domestic presence.

V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest - 3 — human-paced dismantling by Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft Zug

V-ZUG’S REPURPOSE PRODUCTS EXTEND THE LIFE OF VALUABLE MATERIALS

No longer defined by their previous mechanical labor, the Adora Pouf and Table offer discreet storage for everyday essentials while bringing a distinct character into modern interiors. This transformation extends beyond steel with the Multipurpose Bowl — crafted from the temperature-resistant door glass of decommissioned machines — further highlighting how minimalist design can find value in materials that were previously not recycled.

V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest - 4 — Multipurpose Bowl, crafted from the temperature-resistant door glass of decommissioned washing machines

Guided by a hierarchy of ‘R-strategies’ — repair, reuse, recycle, refurbish, repurpose — the company is committed to extending the life of its materials for as long as possible. By treating every decommissioned machine as a source for new domestic stories, V-ZUG continues to close the material loop, ensuring that the labor of the past sustains the collective imagination of the future.

The Repurpose collection is a singular milestone within a much broader circular vision for V-ZUG. It acts as a proof of concept for the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, which prioritizes the systematic dismantling of appliances over simple recycling to significantly lower their ecological footprint. As V-ZUG looks toward the future, the goal is to expand this concept to other product categories, scaling sustainability, one object at a time.

V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest - 5 — upholstery by DER SATTLER

V-ZUG’s repurpose products transition from spin cycle to domestic rest - 6 — Spritzwerk Rotkreuz handles the sandblasting and powder coating

v-zug-repurpose-designboom-07 — the Repurpose collection is part of a much broader circular vision for V-ZUG

V-ZUG transforms components from decommissioned washing machines into timeless pieces of furniture instead of sending used materials directly to recycling, V-ZUG gives them a new purpose each piece offers discreet storage and a distinct character, bringing both functionality and history into the home

project info:

name: Repurpose collection

company: V-ZUG | @vzug