Danish Design and The Future – Design Series by VOLA (Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Norm Architects)
An exploration into the grounding principles of a culture built on design, VOLA’s On Design video series feature ‘Danish Design and The Future’ considers the unique balance between richness and restraint, the emphasis on natural materials and timeless design found in Denmark from the perspective of Norm Architects’ founding partner, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen.
‘Danish Design and The Future’ opens a dialogue into balance and the contributing influences on Danish design ethos. Known for considered restraint, material richness and absence of ornamentation, the heralding of precision, craft and refinement, Norm Architects’ founding partner, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen speaks to the sensibilities that underpin both Denmark as a whole and his practice’s work. At the core, he says, “I think its stems from being told since we were children that design is an important part of our culture. Danish design developed as a result of spending a lot of hours indoors because of the grey rainy weather outside and it’s all very much about the way you live as an extended expression of who you are. Almost all built environments in Denmark are very precise, and functional and beautiful and made from good materials.”
Danish design is felt and articulated in every facet of everyday life. It is woven into the upbringing of each individual, and its many interpretations and expressions are all-encompassing. Norm Architecture’s multi-disciplinary approach, where architecture bleeds into other facets of design, from product design to interiors, runs counter to the more traditional approach, in which, Jonas says, “you’re either an architect or a product designer, which are two different things. Looking back in history, someone like Arne Jacobsen did have a similar approach as us. It was about designing everything from curtains to taps, to architecture and that has definitely been a great inspiration for us. I think we have a certain attention to detail because we work as designers as well, so it’s not only about making spaces but it’s about creating all of the details of the architecture which is so important for the final result.”
At the core, he says, “I think its stems from being told since we were children that design is an important part of our culture.
Finding and creating the balance between the precise and the approachable comes from an understanding of materiality and how architecture can evoke the senses, Jonas says. “I think the human element in design is extremely important. All spaces should feel comfortable and nice to be in. Looking at the poetic qualities, the details, the materials, and how they make you feel as a human being.” Norm Architects’ approach is one of longevity, founded in considering a space beyond the time in which it is conceived. He explains, “if you design something that is meant to last for 10, 20, 30 years, it’s also important that it becomes beautiful as time passes by. Working with artificial materials, they need maintenance and needs to be replaced. But working with natural materials, like stainless steel, brass, wood, stone, time only adds to the design and it becomes more beautiful as you use it. The purity you see in Danish design,it’s very much about an essence focusing on the important elements of design. It’s a process of paring down in many ways – not completely to its purest form but to a point where it is simple enough to become timeless and not bound to a certain cultural context.”
Almost all built environments in Denmark are very precise, and functional and beautiful and made from good materials.”
The continual thread throughout all Danish design is a connection to the natural and the textural. And it is a combination of history, of evoking a connection and the utilisation of technology that is key. In explaining Norm Architects’ process, Jonas says, “I think it’s important to be able to use contemporary production and combine the most innovative technology with the touch of hand, that is the ideal design. It’s about simplicity and about making design products that would stand the test of time. That means that details and materials are extremely important. I think nature is something that transcends all cultural preferences and that’s all over the world – that there’s a connection between people, the natural environment and natural materials because they are all part of the same.”
Maintaining a close connection to Danish design values and ensuring the adoption of technology does not interfere with those key muses, Norm Architects continues to embody the ethos of Danish design. In looking forward, it is these values that Jonas sees ideally underpinning the future. “I hope that the future approach to designing is that all of the spaces in a home will be more human-centric to design and architecture, where you engage all of the senses,” he says.
