Roadside Reststop Akkarvikodden by Manthey Kula; photo by Knut Hjeltnes

Set within panoramic and remote surroundings, on a narrow plateau between the mountains and the sea on the Lofoten archipelago in North Norway, this public restroom facility has been realised by the Oslo-based architectural practice Manthey Kula. Located along one of 18 National Tourist Routes in Norway, the austere, copper-coloured development has been designed to ‘shut the [intense, ever-present] scenery out.’ Structurally resembling a small ship, the reststop is made of welded steel plates, locally reinforced with steel flanges while its walls have been clad with glass panels which serve as a protective layer ‘preventing rust from discoloring the clothes of the visitors.’ (more…)

'Skog' lamps by Caroline Olsson for Magnor Glassverk

With Christmas less than two weeks away, this collection of diminutive, nature-inspired lamps by the young Norwegian designer and Akershus University College student Caroline Olsson certainly evokes the festive feeling. Manufactured by the century-old Norwegian glassworks Magnor Glassverk, ‘Skog’ – Norwegian for ‘forest’ – has been inspired and named after the large forests surrounding Magnor Glassverk. (more…)

'Allas' candelabrum by Andreas Engesvik for Iittala

Oslo-based furniture and industrial designer Andreas Engesvik has collaborated with the world-famous Finnish tableware manufacturer Iittala to create this cast-iron ‘modern take on a traditional candelabrum’. Called ‘Allas’ – Finnish for ‘pool’ – the design is fittingly described by its manufacturer as ‘a pool of light’ – an effect achieved thanks to the six candles, each set at a different height, for which the candelabrum is intended for. (more…)

Daddy Longlegs stool by Martin Solem dailytonic

While we’re still not quite sure whether this collection of minimalist wooden stools takes its name from the 1955 musical starring the legendary Hollywood Fred Astaire or, if it was the cellar spiders family that lend their name to this design (or perhaps none of the above), ‘Daddy Longlegs’ is the latest, award-winning barstool series created by the Norwegian-born Copenhagen-based design student Martin Solem. (more…)

Designers Saturday Oslo, the ‘only national event in Norway dedicated to furniture, textiles, lighting, flooring and other interior and design related products’, returns next week (3-4 September) to the Norwegian capital for its 25th edition and Architonic is proud to be a media partner of this short-yet-extensive show.

Aimed at both industry professionals and the public, the fair will see some 180 cutting edge Norwegian, Scandinavian and international exhibitors including, amongst many: Artek, Kasthall, Foscarini, Magis and Wästberg showcasing their latest products and materials.

(more…)

'Steel Mirror' by Angell Wyller Aarseth

Continuing with the Scandinavian theme, this striking clean-cut ‘Steel Mirror’ has been designed by the Norwegian trio of young designers and university friends: Simen Aarseth, Christoffer Angell and Øyvind Wyller. Quintessentially Nordic, the stainless steel, oak and leather piece is part of the new series of works by Angell Wyller Aarseth and it will be on show at this year’s ICFF in New York from 14 – 17 May 2011.

(more…)

Massive wooden ash bowls by StokkeAustad

These bowls by the Norwegian designer duo StokkeAustad are a beautiful example of modern, high quality handcraft and represent a masterpiece of turnery. Made from a single piece of Norwegian ash the pieces combine material-typical characteristics: the compactness of the solid, heavy base and the delicateness of the bowl’s thin wall.

(more…)

'Bubo Bubo' by Andreas Engesvik and StokkeAustad

The Norwegian deisgner Andreas Engesvik, co-founder of his former studio Norway Says, and the Norwegian design duo StokkeAustad realised this charming wooden sculptures on the occasion of an exhibition to Designblok in Prague in 2010. The owls are modeled in polystyrene and so on milled out of solid wood. The large owl is 29 x 23 cm – the smallest is 15 x 11 cm.

(more…)