Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture and Design – Norway
Carpe Diem outside of Oslo is a constructed village for people with dementia, with recognisable surroundings, colours and outdoor gardens and walking paths. Photo: Simon Kennedy
From airports to hospitals and homes – a Nordic way to democratise architecture Based in the Nordic hubs of Oslo, Reykjavík and Copenhagen, Nordic – Office of Architecture (or Nordic, for short) creates and designs across borders and fields. By Åsa H. Aaberge
“We specialise in complex issues and enjoy taking the role of advisor in projects. You can be an architect and only focus on drawing a house and finishing a project, but the way Nordic sees it, you can also be an architect and an advisor by trying to solve bigger issues rather than just drawing and designing the lines,” says Eskild Andersen, CEO and architect at Nordic – Office of Architecture.
be a part of. To succeed, multidisciplinary teams and thorough procedures are key, according to Andersen. “What’s unique for us is how we approach architecture democratically. The process is a goal in itself. What we create is a result of a process that includes bringing our clients and users along in making decisions, designing and creating,” says Andersen.
The firm aims to approach architecture in a way that people understand and can
With over 40 years’ experience and expertise in fields ranging from airports
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To stand the test of time
to learning facilities, complex hospitals, urban spaces, interiors and residential design, Nordic’s portfolio is remarkably broad. The architecture office has gained notable attention and nominations for its approach to architecture, design and sustainability, both within the Nordic countries and globally. Its ambition is to create enduring spaces that can be used and lived in decades from now, by opting for natural materials with a long lifetime, such as massive wood constructions. “The most important thing we can do to be sustainable is to plan well, refrain from building bigger than we need to, and reuse materials. An aspect that characterises our architecture is a
