Norm Architects

Alsterhaus Mens Department by Norm Architects

8 September 2020 in Architecture Comment

A complete refurbishment and dynamic reconceptualizing of the Menswear Department in the iconic Alsterhaus, Hamburg, part of the KaDeWe Group.

In order to compete in today’s world of online shopping, a physical space must nurture and engage the user. The architecture, furniture and materiality all work to create a sensible experience which you can’t experience from a tablet or smartphone.

Today, Alsterhaus in Hamburg covers 24,000 square metres in an exclusive atmosphere comprising a historic structure and modern interior design. Norm Architects has completed a reconzeptualizing and total renovation of the menswear department.

By adopting a tectonic approach to space, the menswear department of Alsterhaus provides a unity of different universes, each with its own expressions and materials.

“We had a dynamic, tailored approach to each space. For example there is a notably domestic scale and sensibility to the fitting rooms; an embracing warmth. This con- trasts to the other areas in the store and in turn adds to the experiential quality of each user’s visit.”

Sofie Thorning, Senior Architect and Associate Partner

Norm Architects

Kinuta Terrace by Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design

5 April 2020 in Architecture Comment

Kinuta Terrace
Interior design by Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design

Emerged from shared design values, the collaboration between Tokyo-native design studio, Keiji Ashizawa and Copenhagen based Norm Architects takes its root in mutual admiration and a love for material richness and timeless appeal evident in both design traditions.

In the spring of 2018, Ashizawa onboarded Norm Architects to collaborate on the renovation of two apartments in the Kinuta Terrace apartments complex comprising a total of 36 units. Kinuta Terrace was originally built back in the 1980s and features an integrated courtyard that gives residents the advantages of a single-family home.

The two design studios partnered with Japan’s leading manufacturer of wooden furniture, Karimoku, on carrying out the renovation, during which the idea of a
furniture series arose.

The Kinuta Collection is a series of 12 tailormade furniture pieces that make up the inaugural collection of Karimoku Case Study.

Norm Architects

PH House — Norm Architects

19 August 2018 in Architecture Comment

PH House
Norm Architects

Norm Architects have restored and rebuilt a historic villa in Copenhagen after a devastating fire. The story goes that the house used to be inhabited by the renowned Danish architect, designer and cultural critic, Poul Henningsen.

The villa, located in Copenhagen, is said to have been the home of the famous, danish design-icon, Poul Henningsen. Today, a family of three resides in the historic house – a modern home that holds references to its original state – with beautiful high panels, parquet flooring, low, paned windows, teak furniture and – of course – retro PH lamps hanging over the kitchen island.

“The house being a former home – or summerhouse – of Poul Henningsen wasn’t my initial motivation to buy the house, but coincidentally I’ve been collecting his lamps for quite some time, so you’ll find them around the house.” says the owner.

Unfortunately not much of the original building was left after the fire in 2014, but while rebuilding the house it was possible, by increasing the height of the facades, to extend the top floor from approximately 40m2 to 100m2, which has made the house more suitable as a modern family home.

With a clean and minimal approach, the classic elements of the house have been restored and elegantly combined with contemporary details, making for timeless interiors and generally warm aesthetics. The dark mid-century teak furniture and minimal marble plinths create beautiful contrasts, boasting a clean and subtle elegance against the plain, white walls and dark inbuilt kitchen elements in sawcut smoaked oak.

With light coming in from different angles, every room of the house is bright, filled with daylight and comfortable to be in.

The ground floor of the house has been changed from small divided rooms into one big living area with windows on all sides, only subdivided centrally by bespoke elements; a large kitchen cabinet covered in dark stained oak separating the kitchen and the living room, and a central staircase, creating a dynamic, semi-open space with soft transitions.

The floating steps in solid oak create a flow between the basement, ground floor and top floor, connecting the house vertically in a harmonious and contemporary way with skylights flooding the staircase in natural daylight and increasing the sense of height in the house.

The minimal kitchen in smoked oak with bronzed brass handles, designed by Norm Architects for Danish kitchen manufacturer Reform is complimented by a sculptural kitchen island in a light grey ceramic stone, and both the kitchen and bathroom of the house sports slim brass faucets.

Norm Architects

Menu Offset Sofa by Norm Architects

18 March 2018 in Furniture Comment

Menu Offset Sofa
Designed by Norm Architects

A contemporary sofa, understated yet statement-making, Offset is the result of research into ‘balance’ by Norm Architects. The studio wanted to create a sofa as simply as possible while embracing a set of paradoxes: making it substantial yet delicate in appearance, architectural yet inviting and homey. In the studio, the designers experimented with offsetting – playing with proportions, narrow armrests versus a thick generous seat, supported by four stubby metal legs. The clean-lined boxy shape is inspired by minimalist art, gently softened for a welcoming expression and maximised for comfort.

About Norm Architects

Norm Architects was founded in 2008 by Kasper Rønn and Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, later joined by Linda Korndal. Based in the heart of Copenhagen, the award-winning studio works in the fields of industrial design, residential architecture, commercial interiors, photography and art direction. Located on one of the city’s oldest streets, the practice takes pride in respecting its context, building on the traditions of Scandinavian design, of timeless aesthetics and natural materials.

Norm Architects

The Gjøvik House – Norm Architects

27 February 2018 in Architecture Comment

The Gjøvik House by Norm Architects

An hour north of Oslo, located on a majestic hill side facing the Norwegian woods and Mjøsa lake, lies the Gjøvik house; a modern and minimal cluster house created by Norm Architects.

The Gjøvik house, consisting of overlapping cubes of different sizes, makes for an intimate and dynamic family home with materials, levels and inbuilt, tailor-made furniture creating a minimal yet warm and secluded feeling. The house gracefully embraces the hill side terrain, merging with its surroundings in a humble and natural manner. Having thoroughly considered the climate in the process of designing the house, the idea behind the cluster style house was to give the home a cosy and inviting feel, where you can truly hibernate and take shelter from the frigid days of Nordic winter.

Placed on a hill side sloping towards Mjøsa lake in the breath-taking Norwegian woods, the house follows the slope in its composition, and faces the spectacular view. A large part of the facade faces the lake, but with an awareness towards creating small, private pockets and places where you can curl up come rain or shine. This creates a stunning yet intimate sensation. Selected views are framed in windows spread out between the cubes.

Lead architect: Linda Korndal

Norm Architects

Harbour Chair – Norm Architects

26 January 2018 in Furniture Comment

Harbour Chair
By Norm Architects

Designed by Norm Architects, the Harbour Chair is a clean and elegant chair, suitable for a wide range of settings and environments.

Designed specifically for the combined office, showroom, café and co-working space, Menu Space, the harbour chair successfully suits a wide range of purposes – at home, at the office, in restaurants and beyond. With an armrest bending backward, and the backrest being slightly higher than on most chairs, the versatile chair provides comfort and support, while also showcasing a clean and elegant design.

The chair sports organic shapes and an overall slim and clean appearance.

The chair came to life during the design process for the newly opened Menu Space, located in the upcoming area around Copenhagen’s northern harbour, designed to change and adapt at a moment’s notice – for clients, friends or visitors. It combines an office, showroom, café, co-working and event space, sporting generally soft and clean interiors, making the co-working space feel like home. The harbour chair meets the needs of all the space’s purposes.

The harbour chair is produced with a steel or wood base, with textile or leather upholstering, and is available in various colours.

Designer: Kasper Rønn von Lotzbeck

Norm Architects