Task 4
Scandinavian Design
Scandinavian design had originated from northern European
countries such as Norway, Finland, and Iceland (Scandinavian countries), this
style can be identified by its eye-catching characteristics. This style is all
about using natural materials such as wood within interior, clean lines (mostly
horizontal), light tone of colour palette, decluttered spaces and makes the
most of interior spaces with the look of a minimal approach, making the use of
natural light due to the conditions from this style’s origin and simple jet
effective designs. This style often makes the most of form- pressed wood, plastics
and pressed steel. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland are the 5
Nordic countries that are known for its minimalist design approach with clean
lines these characteristics stand out from the above mentioned.
The elegance this style holds today is all possible due to
the early 20th century Art movements and the simple lines from
inter- war art movements that were so influencing. I have noticed that all the characteristics
and mentioned influences so far are all so effective and implemented on this
style significance and value today, by that being said it is a must to mention
that this style is well known for interior use mostly. The idea behind using
this style in interior spaces is due to the climate and environment of this
styles’ origin but also today we seek non- cluttered spaces with a minimalistic
approach and natural materials that would satisfy our need in terms of aesthetics.
This style is still productive and being used to date in
our spaces with examples such as:
This house is found in Hal
Safi Malta
Helena’s
House
The use of white washed walls with some furniture that is
also on the same colour scheme and using natural wood in the living space gives
a feeling of the Scandinavian style, apart from materials and tones this
interior is making use of natural light with the big glass windows that light
up the room. In my opinion the only thing that is not so complimenting well with
this theme is the sofa, as for in the Scandinavian design we rarely see that
dark tone fabrics are introduced within the space.
Some
interesting companies to mention producing Scandinavian designs:
Arabia – Finland
Bang & Olufsen – Denmark
BoConcept – Denmark
Design House Stockholm – Sweden
Electrolux – Sweden
Finlayson- Finland
Georg Jensen – Denmark
Iittala– Finland
IKEA – Sweden
Kvadrat – Denmark
Louis Poulsen – Denmark
Marimekko – Finland
Orrefors – Sweden
Royal Copenhagen – Denmark
Stokke AS – Norway
Søstrene Grene – Denmark
This style is well known as an affordable design but also
could reach a high end finish to your living space, This style clashes along
with various other styles, designers at that age talking about the 1950’s were
producing produces and using various methods and techniques which lead them to
interchange and experiment with various styles, such as The International
Style, Organic design, Scandinavian design and Mid-century modern, which are
styles that not all clash but if not they are very much similar in certain
aspects. These styles lead to creating iconic design that we all know today for
example Ray and Charles Eames LCW chair that is used by the majority in the
Interior for Scandinavian design. Ray and Charles Eames were also well known
for the wood bending technique that we see a lot in the same respective style.
In this unit me and my group
went for creating a dining area setting in
the Scandinavian style, we included some iconic designs in this are such as the
kubus candle holder and the zio buffet table by mooi, this helped us distinguish
the style better and we also created the with washed walls and use of wood
floor and decluttered places.
‘Pressed
wood is any engineered wood building and furniture construction
material made from wood veneers, wood shavings and particles, sawdust or wood fibres bonded together with an
adhesive under heat and pressure’
What I really like about
this style is that the idea of beautiful products and living spaces cannot be
only affordable to only the wealthy people but also for the middle class is
something that could change the face of design and be implemented in any
setting. Post WWII this style had been discovered, people in post war were
looking for mass production and low cost materials which this style is well
known for, Scandinavian design had opted to the needs of civil people at times.
Throughout our journey in
this academic year we have learnt a lot, distinguishing style’s,
characteristics and forming a personal evaluation on the respective style.
Scandinavian design was one of my favourite styles throughout our contextual
studies, this style is distinctive from any other and helps communicates the
design and need of Nordic countries. For our setting, we went to the local
showroom of Fino were we found some interesting information and some key
designs related to this style, discussing with the designers in the showroom
helped us understand more in depth about this style and help me evaluate my own
opinion towards Scandinavian design. The continuation of this style being
introduced to our homes today is saying something, this style was so advanced
both in terms of ergonomics and aesthetical forms which we still seek from a
style originated in the mid-20th century.
Bibliography:
Scandinavian Design: Get to Know this All White Design
Project. 2017. Scandinavian Design: Get to Know this All White Design
Project. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.delightfull.eu/en/inspirations/uncategorized/scandinavian-design-know-white-interior-design-project/.
[Accessed 31 May 2017].
ArchDaily. 2017. Helena’s Villa / Grech & Vinci
Architecture & Design | ArchDaily . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/415033/helena-s-villa-grech-and-vinci-architecture-and-design.
[Accessed 31 May 2017].
