Who are you, and how did you become an interior architect and entrepreneur?

I’m Sanni Seppälä, an interior architect (SIO) and the CEO and co-founding partner of Kakadu. Even as a child in elementary school, I knew I wanted to work in some way with spaces. Before studying interior architecture, I trained as a ceramicist to gain foundational skills and an understanding of materials. Even during those studies, I already knew that my next step would be to apply to the Lahti Institute of Design, where I ultimately studied interior architecture. During my studies, I collaborated on projects with Milka, who would later become the Kakadu’s second co-founding partner. Taking initiative, being responsible, and having an impact on my own work felt completely natural. Entrepreneurship also runs in my family, so the idea wasn’t unfamiliar. Starting my own company was therefore a natural continuation of these student projects, and today our company has been thriving for almost 20 years.

What is your role in Kakadu and what kind of projects do you work on?

At Kakadu, I work both as an interior design consultant and as the CEO. In my consultant role, I focus on the substance of interior architecture and spatial design, including the technical and visual aspects of projects. This role is complemented by nearly 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, which has provided valuable insights and practical knowledge.

We primarily work on projects for corporate clients, and through these projects, we’ve learned how businesses operate, how decision-making processes unfold, how costs influence choices, how people collaborate and which elements are essential for the overall outcome.

My role as a specialist is versatile: sometimes I lead project teams, sometimes I collaborate closely with a partner, and at other times, I share my experience with colleagues within the company. By combining expertise in interior architecture with extensive entrepreneurial experience, our projects run smoothly, as we understand what matters most and how to bring decisions to fruition, ensuring the best possible result for our clients.

What is your area of expertise or your main interests as a designer?

As an interior architect, I consider my area of expertise to be comprehensive project management. I work as a designer in a way that allows me to see the project as a whole and ensure that all aspects support the final outcome. From an interior architecture perspective, I have extensive practical experience and tacit knowledge, particularly in the execution phase – I know what to pay attention to, and through diverse projects, I have developed a strong ability to interpret subtle signals and needs. This helps me understand both the spaces and the people we work with, bringing a clear and practical perspective to every project.

Share one fun or surprising fact about yourself

I am a Finnish Championship medalist in fencing in the over-40 category. Fencing is an important hobby and community for me because it is completely separate from work and family life – purely my own thing. It’s wonderful to be part of a community where people share the same interests and a passion for the sport.

Is there a project that stands out to you, either because it was especially successful, challenging, or meaningful?

One of my most memorable projects was designing Beijing’s embassy, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working conditions in China during the execution phase were exceptional, and I collaborated directly with Chinese-speaking colleagues, sometimes even without a shared language. The situation required me to fully dive in and do my best.

The project combined familiar elements from Finland – such as design and implementation – with the unique aspects of the local environment: we guided a local design office and took into account both the culture and local construction practices. Long-term collaboration with the client and the team created strong foundations for managing the project as a whole.

As a result, I learned even more clearly that a specialist’s role is to support the overall process and ensure the project moves in the desired direction. While not every detail can be controlled, coordinating different aspects and supporting the overall vision are key to success.

Kakadu’s office relocated to Helsinki city centre last year. What motivated the move, and what impact has it had?

We wanted to become more actively part of the city life and vibrancy of city centre, as well as make our spaces more accessible to clients and partners. While our previous office and location were great, the new premises in Kamppi, at street level, have brought us closer to the built environment – and with it, closer to the people who work and move there. We want to focus on being more present for each other, our clients, and our partners, especially in the physical environment. The key practical lessons from this project were managing a comprehensive change and keeping costs under control.



As an interior architect and CEO, you see the industry’s development up close. In your view, which direction are spatial design and work environments heading?

A clear trend in the industry is the need for purposeful and long-term design. After the pandemic, people crave more genuine contact, presence and work environments that support real interactions – not just remote connections. At the same time, limited resources and budgets require careful consideration of what is done and how: it’s important to invest in the aspects that truly add value for users and enhance the functionality of the space. This situation encourages letting go of the unnecessary and focusing on what matters most. As designers, we need to be attentive to these changes and interpret them on a case-by-case basis for each client.



What is the most important lesson you have learned from nearly 20 years of entrepreneurship?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you can get through any situation. Setbacks are not obstacles but part of the experience and learning process. As an entrepreneur and designer, I’ve learned to trust that a solution can always be found and that challenges can be approached in a practical and systematic way. This also brings peace of mind: no matter what comes my way, I already know the process and can trust that things will work out.



Looking at Kakadus’s journey as a whole, what are you most proud of?

I am proud of our perseverance and problem-solving ability – our capacity to move forward in any situation and adapt when needed. I would compare this to the journey of a performing artist or musician, where finding and developing one’s own expression and vision is, I believe, a continuous but exciting process. In the same way, we as designers grow, expand our expertise, and refine our perspective based on all our experiences.

I am also proud of our curious approach to work. Around every corner lies a new opportunity to learn, broaden our perspective, meet people, and network, which brings additional inspiration and understanding. This culture of continuous learning has been a driving force throughout Kakadu’s entire journey.

Let’s talk more!

Could our team assist you?
Contact Sanni or explore our services here.

Sanni Seppälä
Co-founder
CEO
Interior Architect SIO

+358 500 731 143
sanni@kakadu.fi

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