Core77

Stockholm Design Week 2015

By Core Jr - February 13, 2015

Stockholm Design Week (Stockholmassen Center) Entrance. Minimal signage and clean metallic architecture welcomes guests from eclectic backgrounds to an incredible comprehensive display of contemporary design. Arthur Hitchcock 1 of 40

The Greenhouse A collection of student work and independent designers from from Scandinavia and beyond. This exhibit truly exemplified simple and effective solutions for complex global design issues. Arthur Hitchcock 2 of 40

HDK Steneby: Survival of Craft and Adaptation Ten students from the BA Wood Oriented Furniture Design course and MFA Applied Art & Design at HDK Steneby, University of Gothenburg provide solutions to questions focusing on survival and adaptation in the modern world. Emphasis on encouraging imaginative thinking, defined work spaces, and exploration/experimentation. Designs by Sandy Beveridge (Young Explorer's Cabinet), Ida Nilsson (Snøre), Ola Andersson/Luka Jelusic (Pinta). Arthur Hitchcock 3 of 40

Wooden Iron by Ausrine Augustinaite A simple and traditional approach that subtly stresses sustainability. This handmade wooden iron smooths garments using hand pressure within several minutes. Designs from Tomorrow Collective emphasize local production, sourcing, and a relinquishment of reliance on finite materials. Arthur Hitchcock 4 of 40

The bee and we from the “Understanding” exhibit Design by Johanna Nilsson. Handwoven rope + wood. Conceptual furniture design speaking about the fragility of nature + our current relationship with the world's bee population. Arthur Hitchcock 5 of 40

Collection of strict parameter based designs from “Ultramarine” by Aalto University A grouping of first year design master students (Aalto University) utilizing 15x15mm black steel + 1.5mm Ultramarine airplane grade plywood. Statements derived from the honest creative process, not external demands or popular design trends. Work picture by Fanni Suvila (Canneloni), Anna Spaak (Rod), Mirella Peltonen (2 Plue), Hannah Sarokaari (Railo), and Joel Klemetti ( Taipuva). Arthur Hitchcock 6 of 40

Gelifoam Material Detail Material experiment utilizing candy as a building material. Decomposable and features a wide array of incredible colors and textures. Design experiment by Kristel Almquist and Catrin Sundberg. Arthur Hitchcock 7 of 40

HDK Steneby-Survival of Craft and Adaptation An integrated design project pairing hard-working people aged (approx.) 25 and age 75 from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Collection includes 12 individual chairs that reflect the personality, lifestyle and needs of the elder mentor. Arthur Hitchcock 8 of 40

Detail of the collection of The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Personal details showcased alongside chair designs from Tore Beck Carstensen (Front Middle), Anna Aagaard Jensen (Back Right), Maiken Lindhardt, (Back Middle) and Ronni Bjørnum (Front Right) from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Arthur Hitchcock 9 of 40

Pine Plywood Veneer Shelf from Klara Granstrand (A Tension I) A pine plywood and layered ash veneer shelf from Beckmans College of Design student, Klara Granstrand. This seemingly abstract shelf could be found within the futuristic-minded exhibit: Wrong Place, Wrong Time. Arthur Hitchcock 10 of 40

Visitor viewing furniture from “Juxtaposition” group showing A showing of experimental and contemporary design from Konstack's Interior Architecture and Furniture Design BA program. Mixed Materials. Student work shown from: Emma Brålander (DOT.), Jamie Smith (Plateau), Victor Sundstrom (Untitled), Hannes Tennberg (GRID), Sanna Trotsman (Ambiguous) and Georgina Walters (Nudel). Arthur Hitchcok 11 of 40

Wiggle Hook and Corner Shelf designs Detail of playful “WIGGLE” Hook (Kyuhyung Cho /Erik Olovsson) + “CORNERS” shelf (Kyuhyung Cho). Materials include powder coated/painted steel. Arthur Hitchcock 12 of 40

Detail of “Artificial Cycle” copper table by Veronica Rönn A detail image of a copper table that has been “aged” via chemically induced verdigris. Table is meant to explore the intrinsic beauty that goes hand in hand with age. Arthur Hitchcock 13 of 40

“Story Time”, sofa design by Michael Daae Christensen A Mad & Bolig design award winner, this knock-down sofa was created by Michael Daae Christensen with comfortable reading in mind. Meant to effortlessly provide a safe and relaxed environment for reading with minimal distractions. Sofa design also focused on mass production, manufacturing, and can be flat packed to fit on a european pallet. Materials include solid oak and upholstery. Arthur Hitchcock 14 of 40

Trouser design by Katarzyna Skorzynska from Too Much Too Much exhibit Design by Katarzyna Skorzynska, this piece is an experiment with pattern cutting and garment functionality. Arthur Hitchcock 15 of 40

The Magic of Mushrooms, a sustainable material One part of a sustainable material exhibition—this material is made from fiber fused with mushroom mycelium. Designer Jonas Edvard creates/grows lighting from this organic and compostable material. Arthur Hitchcock 16 of 40

Shit Happens, sanitation based designs from the Oslo National Academy of Arts Multiple designs from second year students in interior architecture and furniture design at the Oslo National Academy of Arts. They have been prompted to challenge prejudices and conventions around sanitation. Exhibit includes designs/prototypes from: Margarita Kolesnikova, Helene Øye Holde, Emilie Witsø Løkkeberg, and Mads John Thomseth. Arthur Hitchcock 17 of 40

Studioilse Meeting Space Guests gather and interact with London-based and human-centric design firm, Studioilse. Arthur Hitchcock 18 of 40

Reflective Thinking Space Guests to the furniture fair were encouraged to “reflect” in this mirrored interior structure. Providing a “quiet” place to meet, look over materials, and sit alone or in a group throughout the day. Arthur Hitchcock 19 of 40

Nona Bench Concrete bench design by Swedish Skulptur Fabriken/Stina Lindholm. Minimal and clean in its formal, tradition-based design. Concrete with ribbed surface. Arthur Hitchcock 20 of 40

Design Bar Visitors to the furniture fair gather to meet and discuss under a beautiful spectrum of hanging fabric at this “Design Bar." Arthur Hitchcock 21 of 40

Melt and Recreate Regenerative Pendant Lamp Regenerative ice pendant lamp by designers, Sofia Bergfeldt and Siri Bahlenberg for Ung Svensk Form. The pendant lamp features LED lighting and frozen water to create a soft, ambient atmosphere. Water drips into a silica mold, creating a copy of itself as it melts. Arthur Hitchcock 22 of 40

Branch Chair by Triin Maripuu An incredibly lightweight chair that was inspired by tree branches and their strength. The chair utilizes traditional joinery with contemporary character. Made from beech and plywood. Made by Estonian designer Triin Maripuu. Arthur Hitchcock 23 of 40

We Live Here Details and party favors from We Live Here, a temporary residence and design event featuring work from Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Arthur Hitchcock 24 of 40

We Live Here: Houseplants Hanging Plant Decorations at We Live Here “Housewarming” Party, featuring work from dozens of designs throughout Scandinavia and Iceland. Arthur Hitchcock 25 of 40

We Live Here: Designs A collection of work from multiple designers at We Live Here temporary residence. Glass sculpture work by Simon Klenell. Arthur Hitchcock 26 of 40

& Bros, "PEACE OFF" Neon signage and sculpture by Finnish design studio, <a href="http://home.andbros.fi">& Bros.</a> Titled: PEACE OFF. Arthur Hitchcock 27 of 40

Teruo Kurosaki and We Live Here Design curator and innovator, Teruo Kurosaki of Idee (former)/Flowstone/Bridgelab welcomes guests at We Live Here temporary residence and art exhibition. Arthur Hitchcock 28 of 40

Wisdom Tea House Signage for not-quite-yet-released project, Wisdom Tea House from Japan. Collaboration between traditional Japanese tea, British tea, and talented designers from Japan. Design by Kazuhisa Yamamoto. Arthur Hitchcock 29 of 40

Tea Ceremony at We Live Here Amidst the design event at We Live Here exhibition, Etsuyo Kajima performs a traditional tea ceremony for designers, artists, and other visitors to Stockholm. Arthur Hitchcock 30 of 40

Collection of work at We Live Here Featuring the work of dozens of designers, this particular corner housed designs from: Dora Hansen, Simon Klenell, Hugdetta, Man Yau, and many others. Arthur Hitchcock 31 of 40

Ornsberg Auction Artist run and organized auction in Stockholm, Ornsberg Auction. Featuring the most groundbreaking and current work from local designers. Arthur Hitchcock 32 of 40

Ornsberg Auction Exhibition Onlookers inspect and admire objects to be sold at the 2015 Ornsberg Auction. Pre-auction exhibition was held at Galleri Bon. Arthur Hitchock 33 of 40

Gallery Visitors in the Mirror Visitors to Galleri Bon reflected in the works of designer, Jenny Nordberg. Mirrors are made from plate glass and coated with silver. A 19th century process in a contemporary context. Arthur Hitchcock 34 of 40

Collected works at Galleri Bon Group of work from current and local designers at Galleri Bon. Work by: James Thompson, Marjan Van Aubel, Petra Lilja, Fredrik Ingemansson, Malin Henningsson, Cora Hamilton, and Lagombra. Materials include jesmonite, foam porcelain, steel, brass, wool, plywood, and others. Arthur Hitchcock 35 of 40

Another collection at Galleri Bon for Ornsberg Auction Grouping of current local designer/maker work. Shown work includes Simon Klenell, Mats Theselius, Jakob Robertsson, and Samir Alj Falt. Arthur Hitchcock 36 of 40

Ornsberg Auction Group Collection Grouping of current local designer/maker work. Shown work includes Simon Klenell, Mats Theselius, Jakob Robertsson, and Samir Alj Falt. Arthur Hitchcock 37 of 40

The crowd at the Ornsberg Auction An anxious crowd gathers in the snow near the entrance of the Ornsberg Auction in Stockholm, Sweden. Arthur Hitchcock 38 of 40

The handmade auctioneers gavel for 2015 Ornsberg Auction A handmade glass and laburnum wood gavel made by auction organizers Simon Klenell, Fredrik Paulsen and Kristoffer Sundin. Arthur Hitchcock 39 of 40

The final sale at the Ornsberg Auction The handmade gavel is the last to be sold every year at the auction, starting price of 1 Swedish Kroner. Arthur Hitchcock 40 of 40

Photos and Story by Arthur Hitchock.

Prepare for some serious Scandinavian talent. This year's showing at Stockholm Design Week was full of minimal yet seemingly impossible lines, loads of hand-sanded beech, and of course, wildly imaginative lifestyle-minded work from scores of Scandinavia's best designers. Returning for its 13th year, Stockholm Design Week, in combination with the Stockholm Furniture and Northern Light Fair, was in full swing. The fair is known to (and did) bring in millions of visitors from Scandinavia and beyond. The week is structured to allow for visitors to peruse the massive multi-city block Furniture and Light Fair during the day, and then casually transition into “exclusive” design parties throughout the city every evening. This allows for complete design immersion that seemed to have Stockholm buzzing in all the right ways.

This year, like many before it, was not in short supply of simple (and beautiful) solutions to complex issues. Primarily focusing on issues in the home and daily life, designers were apt to show off their personal take on contemporary Scandinavian design. This year's trends included multi-use objects, sustainable materials, and insane experimentation with a wide array of traditional and modern building techniques.

Some of the most stunning work could be found in the Greenhouse, the section of Stockholmassen's massive convention center that housed independent and student designers. Most exhibitors displayed furniture and objects that were fairly abstract in their concept. Some of the best student work included a knock-down, flat packable “Story Time” sofa that was designed to create a save haven for reading and creativity, and my personal favorite, a resilient building material (Gelifoam) made from candy!

Overall, Stockholm Design Week and the fair continues to showcase work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary design. These designers are not afraid to be experimental, innocent and playful. This week's offering of forward-thinking, risky, and attractive solutions are being offered up and shown to a world that is in need of that kind of perspective.