Scandinavian architecture design, Norway buildings, Denmark property news, Norwegian architectural projects
Scandinavian Architecture Design Guide
21 October 2022
Scandinavian Architecture Design Style
Scandinavian style is a way of life – it is at once urban and close to nature. The tradition under the tough limits set by climatic and topographical conditions – as one goes further north, the climate gets harsher and the materials scarcer – has been to simplify. The five Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden – have certain similarities in their approach to design, with a strong natural feel.
Contemporary properties on the Copenhagen waterfront in Sjaelland, Denmark:
Scandinavian Architecture Guide
Recently Denmark’s ‘hygge’ tradition has been rebranded as a trendy design style aspect, but this approach to placemaking is ancient and deeply embedded in the culture, not just some passing fad. Sparse interiors with a lots of natural wood, subtle lighting and rustic elements such as reindeer pelts draped over furniture aren’t just a Danish tradition, and feature in homes across Scandinavia.
I have travelled extensively in Scandinavia from Jutland in western Denmark to the north of Finland, and from Bergen in western Norway to Malmö in southern Sweden and admire the elegance of many contemporary architectural solutions. I can see the same design language in Aalborg’s Modernist art gallery that can be admire in the work of Alvar Aalto at say University of Jyväskylä or Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi. You can find large expanses of white-painted brickwork punctured by clverely-placed fenestration, with strong connections to nature which is allowed to come right up to the facades, not kept back as is traditional in much of western Europe.
Modern Oslo buildings on the waterfront of the Norwegia capital city:
Part of the current day strength of Nordic countries is not just their understanding of the important of nature, but their wealth. The Government Pension Fund of Norway comprises two entirely separate sovereign wealth funds owned by the government of Norway. The Government Pension Fund Global, also known as the Oil Fund, was established in 1990 to invest the surplus revenues of the Norwegian petroleum sector. Norway’s sovereign-wealth fund aims to have every company in its vast portfolio reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The fund, the Norges Bank Investment Management, is one of the world’s largest sovereign-wealth funds, boasting over $1.2 trillion in assets. It holds a stake in more than 9,000 companies in 70 countries, and clearly relates value to the strength of the Norwegian Krone.
Norwegian Architectural Design – Conclusion
The best current architectural work reflects the heritage of design produced in the Nordic countries, with its emphasis on a reduced language of form and strict requirements of quality. Typical features, such as natural materials, light-weight, delicate features and simple joints, are starting pointsfor Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, and Faroese design. However, the international orientation of young architects and building designers is also evident, having studied and worked abroad their work is in many ways pan-European. This weaves through furniture, industrial, textile, graphic, and fashion design, not just architecture.
Location: Scandinavia, northern Europe
Norwegian Architecture Design
Norwegian Architecture Designs – chronological list
Norwegian Architectural Designs – key selection:
Malangen Family Retreat, Troms county, Northern Norway
Design: Snorre Stinessen Architect
photo © Terje Arntsen
Malangen Peninsula House
Two-in-One House, Ekeberglia
Architects: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
photography © Ivar Kvaal, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
New Home in Ekeberglia
Norwegian Timber Bath House, Hankø Island, Oslo Fjord, Østfold county, southern Norway
Architect: Oslotre
photography © Patric Katzman
House on Hankø Island
Infinity House, Northern Norway
Architects: Vladimir Konovalov
visualization : www.omegarender.com
New House in Norway
Denmark Buildings
Danish Architecture Designs – chronological list
Danish Architectural Designs – a recent selection on e-architect:
EUC Lillebælt, Fredericia, Jutland, western Denmark
Design: ZENI arkitekter a/s
image : ZENI arkitekter a/s
Vocational Training Centre Lillebaelt, Fredericia
The Triple Folly, Ebeltoft, Jutland, western Denmark
Architect: Caruso St John Architects
photo : Nic Tenwiggenhorn. Image courtesy of Kvadrat
The Triple Folly Kvadrat HQ, Ebeltoft
Flugt, Oksbøl, Southern Jutland
Design: BIG architects
photo : Rasmus Hjortshoj
Flugt – Refugee Museum of Denmark
Architecture in Norway
Comments / photos for the Scandinavian Architecture Design page welcome