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Scandi style

Design aficionado Bethan Ryder gives us the inside track on five rising Nordic design stars whose work can be seen at next month’s Stockholm Furniture Fair (9-13 February)

TAF

TAF architecture and design agency’s latest products for Muuto display a sparse, functional aesthetic that combined with a use of pale, blonde wood, seems intrinsically Scandinavian. It’s all very back to basics chic. There’s the brand new Wood Lamp, proudly displaying its wing-nut construction, and Adaptable, a solid oak and powder-coated steel dining table with a choice of several tops, frames and legs that results in 64 possible different combinations. Gabriella Gustafson & Mattias Ståhlbom, the Swedish pair behind the Stockholm based studio, believe the Scandi influence is a happy subliminal accident rather than something too conscious and considered. “Because we are based here, the closest surroundings are inspiring,” says Gustafson, “but we travel a lot, so it’s hard to say how influential it is.”

Their aim is “to make ordinary life less ordinary through subtle, but effective changes in how products and architecture appear and function.” They believe everyday objects, by their commonness can be made extraordinary – Ståhlbom’s E27 pendant light, reminiscent of a giant, bare light bulb succinctly embodies this illuminating philosophy. As did their ‘soft parcel’ upholstered seating collection for Rossana Orlandi’s cutting-edge design gallery in Milan. Not just product designers, their work ranges from lighting for Zero and products for Design House Stockholm, through to commercial and private residential interiors. For a glimpse of their ‘life less ordinary’ check out Muuto’s stand, or the Nordic Architecture Exhibition, which they have also designed. www.tafarkitektkontor.se

Broberg & Ridderstråle

Interior architects Mats Broberg, 35, and Johan Ridderstråle, 30, gained recognition whilst students at Konstfack University College of Arts, Craft and Design. Their 2004 lighting project ‘Gulliver’, which involved placing giant shades onto street lights, thus “transforming them into to domestic objects in the public environment,” won a Young Swedish Design award and then toured with exhibitions in Tokyo and London. Further success followed in 2007 with their ceramic Cone speakers, which were “inspired by symbols used to express sound,” and scooped Wallpaper magazine’s best domestic appliance award. They say, “We strive to add an emotional value to our design that communicates with the user through recognition of symbols and meanings. We often draw inspiration from everyday life and try to combine a rational approach with a dash of humour and wit.” The August lamp for iittala exemplifies this approach, with all the charm of a 19th-century oil lamp it’s actually a rechargeable LED table lamp. Definitely a dynamic, techno-savvy duo to watch, products likely to debut at this year’s Fair include furniture, shelving units and barbecue grills for high profile companies Offecct, Nola, Klong and Röshults. They may be working with traditional materials, of steel and wood right now, but expect the results to be utterly 21st-century. www.brda.se

Jens Fager

Since graduating from Stockholm’s Konstfack design school in Spring 2008, 30-year old Swedish designer Jens Fager’s Nike-shod feet have hardly touched the ground. His post-grad degree project, a series of surreal, vividly coloured furniture, roughly carved out of Swedish pine with a buzz-saw, immediately captured people’s imaginations when it debuted under the moniker ‘The sphere of fine dining’ at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2008. “The idea is based on naïve cartoon sketches translated into 3-dimensional usable products,” said Fager. Cool contemporary design company Muuto, champions of New Nordic design, snapped up the pieces (now called ‘Raw’), putting them into production and adding them to their collection.

Now, Fager’s star-on-the-rise status is confirmed by the fact that he’s this year’s designer of the Green House at Stockholm Furniture Fair, the space dedicated to independent designers where he debuted just two years ago. His design is inspired by the theories of ancient Roman architect, Vitruvius. A thoroughly honest use of materials and a sense of history are integral to his design philosophy. “I like to work with very simple, iconic objects that everyone can relate to, maybe something that references the past – as far back as the Stone Age, or the 16th century – but then I add a new technique, or surface giving a new perspective. I like to play with people’s perceptions.”

Fager’s currently developing a series of metal-cast lamps for Swedish lighting company Zero, and two bentwood mirrors, influenced by gothic architecture, for the Finnish company Klong. By the sounds of things, he’s on course to achieve this year’s goal, “to prove I can handle other things, not just the rough ‘Raw’ aesthetic.” www.jensfager.se

Jesper K Thomsen

Product designer Jesper K Thomsen’s best-known projects have, so far, been in keeping with the Danish design tradition in terms of craftsmanship and a simple, minimalist aesthetic. His naïve Camping range and quirky soapbox-inspired Play series for Normann Copenhagen answered the company’s brief, by using traditional methods and materials (beech wood, leather), yet giving them a contemporary twist. Both evoke nostalgic childhood memories – of family camping or homemade toys – indeed, Thomsen is adept at creating products that strike universal chords, appealing to many, but looking distinctly unique. “I like to make things with a strong concept,” he says. “If a product tells a story then people can relate to it, that’s why a idea often leads to a series of related products not just one.” Another good example is his ceramic bowls for ethical Danish company Mater, called ‘Pebble’, and based on “stones found on a beach.”

A self-confessed “curious guy by nature”, the 38-year-old Dane, who trained as a building engineer prior to gaining his degree from the Danish Design School, is fascinated by design as a ‘problem-solving’ process. The breadth of his work certainly suggests an enquiring mind, from clocks and watches through to hotel furniture (the Hope and Float table for German hotel, www.Hotelnjord.com) and his ecologically focused, latest works-in-progress – a series of electric bicycles and scooters (called Downtown Pony), plus a windmill. Our breath is baited. www.jesperkthomsen.dk

Claydies

Danish duo, ceramicists Tine Broksø and Karen Kjældgård-Larsen, met at the Danish Design School. They experienced success early on as students when Kjældgård-Larsen reinvented Royal Copenhagen’s famous traditional chinaware design, Blue Fluted. By enlarging and fragmenting the pattern, she created Blue Fluted Mega and gave this classic design contemporary 21st-century edge.

After graduating in 2000, the pair formed Claydies. Their fun, expressive, unconventional approach usually involves “marrying clay and ceramics with things and ideas from other worlds,” says Kjældgård-Larsen. An early exhibition involved staging a catwalk show, and wearing their bowls, which had been inspired by hairstyles, on their heads. “Our goal is to make design that has an extra story to tell,” they say. “We hope our products give people an extra experience from seeing or using them.” They struck gold…or green maybe…with their series of vases, Grass, now produced by Normann Copenhagen, which proved immensely popular across the globe.

They’ve just launched a range of circular wool rugs, inspired by Dahlias, but clay remains their preferred material. “We want to create modern expression with roots in history,” says Broksø, which perhaps explains their latest obsession – clay whistles. “In Denmark we have traditions of making whistles shaped like animals. These used to be extremely popular playthings, made by local potters and sold in markets, but they’ve almost disappeared completely from people’s lives today. “Who knows where this inspiration might lead, but right now Tine is out of breath from trying to make differently shaped lumps of clay whistle and sing…” says Kjældgård-Larsen. www.claydies.dk

FR Style scandinave

Bethan Ryder a suivi pour nous l’ascension de cinq stars montantes du design nordique à l’occasion du Salon du Mobilier qui se tiendra le mois prochain à Stockholm (9-13 février)

Jens Fager (jensfager.se)

Jens Fager a d’abord fait les grands titres avec son projet d’études (DEA) : une série de meubles peints dans des couleurs vives, sculptés de façon brute dans du bois de pin suédois. Tout a commencé au Salon du Design de Milan en 2008. Aujourd’hui, la position de Fager comme star montante est confirmée, il a été acclamé designer de l’année au Salon du Mobilier Green House de Stockholm.

Claydies (claydies.dk)

Les céramistes Tine Broksø et Karen Kjældgård-Larsen se sont rencontrées à la Danish Design School et, après avoir reçu leur diplôme en 2000, elles ont formé Claydies. Le duo a touché le jackpot avec ses séries de vases, Grass, produits aujourd’hui par Normann Copenhagen. Mais leur toute dernière obsession est le sifflet en terre cuite, inspiré par la tradition danoise des sifflets en forme d’animaux.

Jesper K Thomsen (jesperkthomsen.dk)

Thomsen qui se définit lui-même comme une “personne étrange”, a d’abord eu une formation d’ingénieur dans la construction avant d’obtenir son diplôme de la Danish Design School. L’éventail de son travail oscille entre les horloges et le mobilier d’hôtel et on recense parmi ses dernières créations une série de vélos électriques, de scooters et un moulin à vent.

TAF (Tafarkitektkontor.se)

Gabriella Gustafson et Mattias Ståhlbom sont les deux créateurs suédois derrière cette agence d’architecture et de design. Le travail du duo va des produits conçus pour Design House Stockholm, jusqu’à des intérieurs commerciaux et résidentiels privés. Leur dernier projet comprend une table de salle à manger en chêne robuste avec un revêtement de peinture au four de couleur métal, et un choix de différentes tablettes, cadres et pieds.

Broberg&Ridderstråle (brda.se)

Les architectes d’intérieur Mats Broberg et Johan Ridderstråle ont d’abord gagné une reconnaissance (et un Prix du Jeune Design Suédois) en 2004 avec leur projet d’éclairage, en plaçant d’immenses stores sur des luminaires de rue. Les produits qu’ils prévoient de lancer lors du salon de ce début d’année incluent des étagères et des barbecues pour des compagnies comme Offecct et Röshults.

NL Skandinavische stijl

Bethan Ryder geeft ons inside informatie over vijf rijzende sterren in de Noorse designwereld die tentoonstellen op de Stockholm Furniture Fair volgende maand (9-12 februari)

Jens Fager (jensfager.se)

Jens Fager haalde voor de eerste keer de krantenkoppen met zijn afstudeerproject voor zijn postgraduaat – een reeks fel gekleurd meubilair, ruw uitgekerfd uit Zweedse den – dat op de Milan Furniture Fair in 2008 aan het publiek werd voorgesteld. Fagers rijzende sterrenstatus wordt bevestigd door het feit dat hij dit jaar de ontwerper van het Green House op de Stockholm Furniture Fair is.

Claydies (claydies.dk)

Keramisten Tine Broksø en Karen Kjældgård-Larsen ontmoetten elkaar op de Danish Design School en, na hun afstuderen in 2000, richtten ze Claydies op. De reeks vazen van de hand van het duo, Grass, was een schot in de roos en wordt nu door Normann Copenhagen verdeeld. Hun nieuwste obsessie zijn echter kleifluitjes, geïnspireerd op de Deense traditie waarbij fluitjes in de vorm van dieren worden gemaakt.

Jesper K Thomsen (jesperkthomsen.dk)

Als openlijk ‘nieuwsgierige kerel’ volgde Thomsen een opleiding als bouwkundig ingenieur vooraleer hij zijn diploma aan de Danish Design School haalde. Zijn werk strekt zich uit van klokken tot hotelmeubilair en zijn laatste werk in uitvoering is een reeks elektrische fietsen, scooters en een windmolen.

TAF (Tafarkitektkontor.se)

Gabriella Gustafson en Mattias Ståhlbom zijn het Zweedse duo achter dit architecten- en ontwerpbureau. Hun werk gaat van producten voor Design House Stockholm, tot interieurs voor commerciële of privédoeleinden. Hun nieuwste projecten zijn onder andere een eettafel uit volle eik en staal met poedercoating waarbij kan gekozen worden uit verschillende bladen, frames en poten.