Q&A APRIL 2019

NORM ARCHITECTS

COPENHAGEN

WHAT WAS THE VISION BEHIND THE STUDIO THEN, AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT TODAY, IF SO?

The vision was always to demonstrate how thoughtful interiors and natural materials can significantly improve people’s quality of life by enhancing our everyday environments. We’ve refined our approach over the years, but our vision remains the same.

WHAT CHARACTERIZES YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC?

We strive to create objects that embody a soft minimal aesthetic; objects where there is nothing you can add or take away to make the product better, but with a welcoming and natural character. We wish to make designs that we, as humans, truly connect to, through the right choice of materials, colors and shapes, and respectfully tell the stories of connected traditions and cultures.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STUDIO’S APPROACH TO DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS?

Our approach is very much based on the idea that architecture and design should be guided by the body and mind rather than by trends or technology.

Q&A

Norm Architects was founded in 2008. The multi-disciplinary design studio works within the fields of industrial design, residential architecture, commercial interiors, photography and art direction. Much like human well-being, the essence of Norm Architects’ work is found in balance — between richness and restraints, order and complexity.
NORM ARCHITECTS
WHEN, HOW AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR STUDIO?

Norm Architects was founded in 2008, and for the past 10 years we’ve based our work on a design philosophy that we refer to by name as “Soft Minimalism”; a design philosophy that very much arose from an itch triggered by our lure and love for the minimal, natural and tactile. We believe that we, as architects and designers, are responsible for composing the settings and framework for a good life.

WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON YOU DECIDED TO BE PART OF THE KARIMOKU CASE COLLABORATION?

As a studio that works within the fields of both architecture and design, Karimoku Case is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how those two fields interact and correlate with one another. It’s a unique chance to approach a series of projects holistically, and a reminder that natural materials ought to be appreciated and integrated in our everyday environments.

HOW DOES NORM RESONATE WITH KARIMOKU CASE AS A BRAND? WHAT DESIGN PRINCIPLES/VALUES DO YOU SHARE?

True to the philosophy of the American “Case Study Houses program”, an inspiration for the founding of the Karimoku Case brand and name, our work takes roots in the idea of creating good conditions for living. We believe in refining rather than reinventing — and this, too, is one of the main ideas behind Karimoku Case.

Q&A

Norm Architects was founded in 2008. The multi-disciplinary design studio works within the fields of industrial design, residential architecture, commercial interiors, photography and art direction. Much like human well-being, the essence of Norm Architects’ work is found in balance — between richness and restraints, order and complexity.
NORM ARCHITECTS
WHEN, HOW AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR STUDIO?

Norm Architects was founded in 2008, and for the past 10 years we’ve based our work on a design philosophy that we refer to by name as “Soft Minimalism”; a design philosophy that very much arose from an itch triggered by our lure and love for the minimal, natural and tactile. We believe that we, as architects and designers, are responsible for composing the settings and framework for a good life.

WHAT WAS THE VISION BEHIND THE STUDIO THEN, AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT TODAY, IF SO?

The vision was always to demonstrate how thoughtful interiors and natural materials can significantly improve people’s quality of life by enhancing our everyday environments. We’ve refined our approach over the years, but our vision remains the same.

WHAT CHARACTERIZES YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC?

We strive to create objects that embody a soft minimal aesthetic; objects where there is nothing you can add or take away to make the product better, but with a welcoming and natural character. We wish to make designs that we, as humans, truly connect to, through the right choice of materials, colors and shapes, and respectfully tell the stories of connected traditions and cultures.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STUDIO’S APPROACH TO DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS?

Our approach is very much based on the idea that architecture and design should be guided by the body and mind rather than by trends or technology.

WHAT’S THE MAIN REASON YOU DECIDED TO BE PART OF THE KARIMOKU CASE COLLABORATION?

As a studio that works within the fields of both architecture and design, Karimoku Case is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how those two fields interact and correlate with one another. It’s a unique chance to approach a series of projects holistically, and a reminder that natural materials ought to be appreciated and integrated in our everyday environments.

HOW DOES NORM RESONATE WITH KARIMOKU CASE AS A BRAND? WHAT DESIGN PRINCIPLES/VALUES DO YOU SHARE?

True to the philosophy of the American “Case Study Houses program”, an inspiration for the founding of the Karimoku Case brand and name, our work takes roots in the idea of creating good conditions for living. We believe in refining rather than reinventing — and this, too, is one of the main ideas behind Karimoku Case.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY BEHIND KARIMOKU CASE?

The starting point for this brand has been the historic collaboration between Japan and Denmark — two countries that share a long and proud tradition within design and architecture. With Karimoku Case, even if the brand will be consisted of international design studios, we want to emphasize the fact that beauty and age can go hand in hand by creating furniture that last, and interiors that are rooted in each overlapping traditions and cultures, striving to find the right balance, essence and foundation for the given case.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH KARIMOKU CASE?

We certainly want to illustrate how big an effect tailormade furniture have on the overall experience of a space. It’s no revelation that the spaces and items we surround ourselves with influence our well-being, and in a time of rapid urbanization, we feel there’s a strong need for designing objects that we as humans can ex- perience with more of our senses and feel connected to on a deeper level. There are a million things that can distract us in our day-to-day lives, and finding or creating those sanctuaries is therefore vital for our well-being; spaces and places that provide the setting for relaxation, awareness and connectedness. Real, honest and quality materials touch us on a deeper level, and thoughtful design last a lifetime. That’s our goal with this brand and collaboration; to reconnect with nature through materials, and to create designs that last.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY BEHIND KARIMOKU CASE?

The starting point for this brand has been the historic collaboration between Japan and Denmark — two countries that share a long and proud tradition within design and architecture. With Karimoku Case, even if the brand will be consisted of international design studios, we want to emphasize the fact that beauty and age can go hand in hand by creating furniture that last, and interiors that are rooted in each overlapping traditions and cultures, striving to find the right balance, essence and foundation for the given case.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH KARIMOKU CASE?

We certainly want to illustrate how big an effect tailormade furniture have on the overall experience of a space. It’s no revelation that the spaces and items we surround ourselves with influence our well-being, and in a time of rapid urbanization, we feel there’s a strong need for designing objects that we as humans can ex- perience with more of our senses and feel connected to on a deeper level. There are a million things that can distract us in our day-to-day lives, and finding or creating those sanctuaries is therefore vital for our well-being; spaces and places that provide the setting for relaxation, awareness and connectedness. Real, honest and quality materials touch us on a deeper level, and thoughtful design last a lifetime. That’s our goal with this brand and collaboration; to reconnect with nature through materials, and to create designs that last.