54
Q.
How do you approach contemporary and continuous-
ly relevant design from a humble mindset, recognising past
norms and cultural tradition?
NA.
In a world of extreme consumption, our studio aims to
refine our practice rather than reinvent it. We strive to meet ba-
sic human needs through design that appeals to modern tastes
and a diversity of cultures, all while reflecting our own time-
less design language. We hope to encourage our customers to
cherish their products for a lifetime.
Q.
In what ways do the collections/designs reflect this in-
creasing fluidity between the modern home, workspace and
hospitality settings?
NA.
The way that we work is evolving. People’s work lives are
becoming increasingly mobile as a result. We are now able to
seamlessly transfer our work—moving between the office and
home, cafes and hotel lobbies and wherever else our whims
might take us.
In recent years, we have watched the lines blur between
what was once considered purely residential and purely for con-
tract use. Now we see a demand for “soft contract” furniture:
pieces that appeal foremost to our senses while also containing
the same practical functionalities. As architects and designers,
we strive to understand how the spaces we occupy have a con-
siderable impact on our habits and well-being. Therefore, it is
important that we design spaces that serve personal and pro-
fessional purposes as well as the growing space in-between.
Q.
How did you go about referencing L. ERCOLANI’s DNA in
the collections?
NA.
Our new Reprise Chair is another great example of our
collaboration process. To create this piece, we combined L.
ERCOLANI’s traditional woodturning and steam bending tech-
niques with a classic Danish design from the ‘50s. The chair’s
legs are held in place with a singular, steam-bent piece of
wood, paying homage to an Ercol tradition stretching back to
1944. The end result is a graceful, well-constructed chair with
spindles for the legs and backrest.
Norm Architects’ design process is, in many ways, a study in human contentment. Recognising past norms and traditions, the multi-
disciplinary design studio maintains a humble and cohesive design language with nods to Denmark’s rich cabinetmaker’s tradition.
NORM ARCHITECTS
