Måltidets Hus is the new 9000 m2 national and international resource centre for food development, host of the Gastronomic Institute and Norwegian chef team. Ralston & Bau was commissioned by Figgjo to make a permanent installation in the reception hall. A central wall that runs three flights high was transformed into a generous, vertical feast table. Combined iconic Figgjo dishes form organic shaped plates and bowls of the table, the wall was covered with an innovative laminated wood material simulating a linen table cloth. The wood was engraved with the shapes of ghost silver ware and glasses, while a classic chair backrest on the wall top completes the illusion of the vertical table. The installation was opened to the public on the 16th of September.

Anders Thingbø, CEO Figgjo thinks: This project has had found it’s own path since it is truly innovative! The reception of the finished result was allround positive…and the final design a surprise to many. Constance Gaard Kristiansen, product manager Figgjo: I like the vertical table more and more!

Link: transplant.nu

Responsible Nordic design The first fall launch from Muuto is a storage basket with the name Restore. It is made of polymer felt from recycled plastic bottles, and allows you to store your things without burdening the environment or your conscience. The basket is designed by Finnish designer Mika Tolvanen who explains how he came up with the design: “My idea was to design a basket that could be used for a lot of purposes – something that stores anything from magazines and newspapers to toys and firewood. Also, a lot of thought has gone into the use of polymer felt. The responsible material choice combined with the basket’s soft shape give Restore an expression that is both warm and welcoming.”

Restore is available in light grey, dark grey, blue, green and purple. Width 35cm, length 48 cm, height 23 cm. In shops in November.

New colours for popular lamp The Mhy lamp from MUUTO is designed by Norway Says and with the introduction of a red and a grey version, the popular lamp is now available in no less than seven colours. Norway Says on the design: “Mhy combines an elegant and discreet appearance with a personal expression that is inspired by literature from our childhood. With its elegant and light design, Mhy is a great choice for your kitchen, dining table, hall or any other room, where you want to add a stylish element”

Mhy is now available in black, white, yellow, green, purple, red and grey. New colours will be in stores in October.

MUUTO is an innovative Scandinavian design company that joins forces with the leading contemporary Scandinavian designers to create original products with new perspectives. The result is design objects that are enjoyed across the world, representing the best of Scandinavian design today.

Link: www.muuto.com.

A collection of photographs, paintings, videos and mixed media, this exhibition will celebrate the works of nine provocative contemporary artists (four American, five Norwegian) all of whom are American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Fellowship recipients: Eric Aho, Marion Belanger, Lene Berg, Sandra Binion, Kjell Bjørgeengen, Ole Martin Lund Bø, Unn Fahlstrøm, Nina Katchadourian and Are Mokkelbost.

http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/

Maria and Joakim went to the Norwegian mountains and fjords to investigate light and time. With them they had 100 reflectors. They came back with some lovely images.

For more info visit their webpage:

http://www.kjellgrenkaminsky.se/index.php?blp=48

Grieg Arkitekter AS created recently an interesting project called “Art and Culture Centre”. This is a green performing arts centre, school and fine arts museum. This building will have of facade with solar panels (ca 600m2), plans include wind mills and low power systems to make best use of avalible energy resorces. It is planned to use a maximum of local and ecological materials in the buildings construction. Project completion 2010.

For more information: http://www.griegarkitekter.no/wordpress/?page_id=118

Transplant is a design and business centre which allows you to go from idea to final concept without wasting time. A creative plateform with room for exhibitions, seminars and meetings, a place for small and grand occasions alike. Our tools for design and product development – the material library and the prototype workshop – are unique resources at your disposal.

The building, which is designed by architect Attila Eris (known for example for his work with Paul Klee Zentrum, Bern, on appointment by Renzo Piano), covers 600 m2 and is situated at the banks of the intimate and beautiful Dalsfjorden. Transplant is an invitation to meet, discover, think, sense and be surprised.

Concept / interior design / facade design / visual identity: Ralston & Bau (http://www.ralstonbau.com)
Architect: Attila Eris

Public opening: June 2007
Creative opening: September 2007

The Cycle of Mutation – Transcreative program 2007 – 2009 Transplant is a platform where design, art, music and new materials work in unison. Here is room for the freedom of thought, experimentation and adventures involving all human senses in an unique surrounding.

Emergence 28.09.07 > 15.02.08
Growth 29.02.08 > 31.07.08
Maturation sept 08 > jan 09
Disappearance feb 09 – jul 09

see more at www.transplant.nu

Photos made by Vegard Fimland http://vegardfimland.com

Image: Mad John

Terri Mapes from About.com recently wrote an article about celebrating Labour Day in Scandinavian Countries:

Labour Day in Scandinavia (also called May Day) takes place on May 1 every year, following Walpurgis Night on April 30. Labour Day in Scandinavia is a celebrated public holiday – and quite visible. Visitors can see lots of festivities, parades, and other celebrations every year on the first of May in Scandinavia when locals celebrate Labour Day. You’ll find special events in every city on this day.

Read more on About.com: Scandinavia Travel

I can add that in Finland there is a holiday called “Vappu”, it’s mostly dedicated to persons graduated to some high school level, and whole Suomi selebrating this day with special for this day Sima (light alcoholic beverage) Tippaleipä (some kind of cake similar to Funnel cake), donuts and potato salad. People wearing white student caps everywhere and funny masks on parties.

verhelstaal has added a photo to the pool:

Wooden beams holding the roof for the Ticketing and Check-in hall at Gardermoen Airport (Oslo, Norway).

The main terminal building at Oslo Gardermoen Airport, completed in 1998, is the largest laminated wood structure in the world. The roof has ten pairs of wooden beams each supported by three solid columns; the secondary structure connecting the pairs of beams is partially visible through the false ceiling, which consists of a perforated metal grid. The grid allows natural light to filter in from above while also reflecting artificial light from below the false ceiling. The enormous ceiling is conceived as a form of decoration for the interior space, featuring the same colours, designs and materials as the interior of the large hall.

“The Nordic Region should be declared free of genetically modified organisms and the Nordic countries should join other European states like Austria, Greece and Poland, which have already declared themselves GMO-free zones,” according to a proposal by the Lef-Socialist Green Group (VSG) on the Nordic Council.

“Research suggests that the use of genetically modified products has a negative impact on health,”(…) “It would provide a boost to sustainable development and underpin the positive environmental and health image the Nordic Region aims to project,” says the Group. Full article [www.norden.org]

read more | digg story

Nordic Museum architects selected: “The Nordic Heritage”

Located in Ballard, Seattle, USA, the Nordic Heritage is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to preserving the history of the five Nordic countries: Denmark; Finland; Iceland; Norway; and Sweden.

With a rich history in Ballard, the museum was founded in 1979 with a mission to honor the Scandinavian immigrants who arrived in the Northwest in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Now a new Nordic Heritage Museum building planned to be built on Market Street of Ballard.

The design team includes Juhani Pallasmaa, a well known Finnish architect, and top exhibit designers, Andr/ and Associates from Victoria, British Columbia, known for their work at the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Jämtlands läns Museum in Sweden.

Pallasmaa, an architect, author and professor, has experience as a museum designer and museum director.

From Ballard News-Tribune

From Wikipedia:

Scandinavian Culture in Ballard
Historically Ballard is the traditional center of Seattle’s ethnically Scandinavian seafaring community, who were drawn to the area because of the salmon fishing opportunities.[23] In recent years the decline of the fishing industry has decreased the proportion of Scandinavian residents but the neighborhood is still proud of its heritage. Ballard is home to the Nordic Heritage Museum, which celebrates both the community of Ballard and the local Scandinavian history. Each year the community celebrates Norwegian Constitution Day (also called Syttendi Mai) on the 17th of May to commemorate the signing of the Norwegian Constitution.[24] Locals still refer to the neighborhood as “Snoose Junction,” a reference to the old Scandinavian settlers’ practice of using snus.[25] Walking in downtown Ballard much of the old flavor can still be seen as there are still many shops and Bakeries with a Scandinavian theme and some businesses hang out flags from the Scandinavian countries.

Link: The Nordic Heritage Museum