Restaurang ÄNG by Norm Architects

Located in the undulating fields of one of Sweden’s largest vineyards, the Michelin-starred ÄNG restaurant is designed by Norm Architects and furnished by Japanese brand Karimoku to create a stimulating interplay between architecture, food, wine, interiors, and art - a culinary experience out of the ordinary that engages all senses.

The experience of ÄNG begins with a winding pathway leading through the lush meadow to the sparkling glasshouse that stands as a modern and refined interpretation of a greenhouse turned inside out. A small herb garden out front discloses the local touch and approach to the culinary experience, and outside stone flooring continues inside where there is an open kitchen with a grounding stone counter.

Solid wood lounge furniture by Karimoku features visible woodworking details and soft upholstery. Talented Norwegian artist Anders Pfeffer Gjengedal (Løvfall) has created seven wooden and stone sculptures with an organic design language. In addition, Danish designer, Sara Martinsen, contributed with bespoke artworks that bring further warmth and new stimuli to the space.

“With the new interior design concept for ÄNG, Karimoku has successfully completed its sixth case study, continuing the collaboration with Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design. With inspiration found in both the unspoiled Nordic nature surrounding the premises of ÄNG and Japanese sensibilities in design aesthetics and craftsmanship, the interior provides a holistic, sensory experience that refines the culinary offering and reflects the identity of the restaurant.”—Frederik Werner, Norm Architects & Creative Director for Karimoku

Connected by a shared belief in timeless aesthetics and an ambition to create products that meet everyday needs, Norm collaborated with Swedish design studio Bonni Bonne to create a curated range of tableware for the restaurant. In order to emphasize ÄNG’s strong connection with nature, parts of the collection are made from green wood – an ancient woodworking method that creates natural silhouettes and raw textures perfect for the atmosphere in the restaurant.

Tiles cut like a brick floor foster the cave-like feeling of the wine cellar. These are met with a wooden floor from Danish brand Dinesen in the main dining room, where there are floor-to-ceiling views of a natural lake and the rich fauna surrounding it.

“With the changing of light, we play on the phenomenon of Chiaroscuro; a technique from visual arts used to represent light and shadow as they define objects in order to achieve a sense of volume. When stepping into the shadows, the vision weakens while the remaining senses intensify. One automatically pays more attention to sounds, smells, tastes and touch and even the intuition and instinct are strengthened. This way, the surprising transition and changing of scenery prepare the guests for the next part of the holistic dinner experience.” —Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Norm Architects

Inspired by the Japanese Karesansui gardens of raked sand and stone, renowned for their transcendent beauty, Norm travelled to Växjö to collect the ready-made sculptures of nature from a giant quarry. Small vases that look like stones from the field are a way of translating Swedish nature and its aesthetics in an honest and modern way.

“In addition to references to Swedish nature and the use of renowned Japanese furniture design, we implemented acoustic walls made of canvas from Kvadrat, chosen in a shade reminiscent of jute sacks in which you place crops and grain. It’s not just a backdrop, but a real experience.” —Frederik Werner, Norm Architects

Filled with curated sculptures and ceramics by Viki Weiland and Ulla Bang, the shelves in the open kitchen add a personal and warm atmosphere to the striking room – creating a strong coherence between food, art, design and architecture.

As the evening moves on and the colour scheme of nature turns even more vibrant, the colours of the selected materials within the restaurant seem to change with it; the oakwood obtains a red tone and the open kitchen in grey stone appears softer. The evening ends back in the glass house, where the experience comes full circle as the sun has set when the desserts are being served. ÄNG truly is a venue enabling both guests and staff to explore, learn, elaborate and create memories.

Credits

Architect & Partner: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Peter Eland

Designer & Partner: Frederik Werner

Interior Designer: Hedda Klar

Client: Ästad Vingård 

Photography: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

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New and Noted

Sculptural design elements run through today's collection of design news. Paris-based interior architect and designer Emmanuelle Simon has launched Ary, a new furniture collection comprising wall-mounted consoles, a coffee table, desk and bench, sideboards and bedside tables. All sculptural in form with wavy curves, the unique pieces are handcrafted in France and feature fluted oak detailing with burl oak tops.

Japanese ceramicist Shiho Hayashi works with clay to create minimal, yet elegant sculptural pieces. Her new collection, currently being exhibited in Auckland as part of the Modern Japan Craft 21 Exhibition at Public Record, juxtaposes soft gentle curves with defined outlines and forms to reference isolated parts of the body. With a vast depth of knowledge around different techniques, Shiho explores this by experimenting freely with elegant forms and tactile texture.  

In addition to taking inspiration from nature, Shiho is greatly inspired by the work of Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi, whose world-famous Akari lamps designed in the 1950s are still sought after today. Her most recent collection uses a lot of black as a result of the firing processes and she hopes that by reducing it down to one colour people will see the beautiful hidden landscapes that arise within the pieces. Modern Japan Craft 21 runs until 12th December.

The work of Danish duo Kristina Krogh and Christian Andersen of studio Krogh Andersen is built around a certain dynamic with a graphical language. Their minimalist works, often inspired by curves, surfaces and calming meditative lines found in nature, leave only shape and shadow visible in an effort to draw the viewer closer and create a quiet and intimate conversation. Their goal is to make work that is an invitation to observe the world through shape and surface. Their latest works, a series of Relief Mirrors are a perfect example. Made from plaster, wood and mirror glass, each mirror is handmade and designed to float from the wall, which casts a beautiful shadow behind the mirrors. A special wall bracket is attached to the back, making it easy to hang.

At the intersection between old and new and design and art, Danish brand New Works pays homage to the strong Scandinavian history of craftsmanship and materiality, whilst challenging the contemporary forms of today. Collaborating with an international group of renowned designers and artists, who display a matching fascination with sculptural forms and honest materials, they have teamed up with long-time collaborator Lotta Agaton Interiors and photographer Mikkel Mortensen to create their  Autumn '21 campaign imagery. The airy, light-filled location provides a beautiful backdrop for the sculptural collection of furniture and lighting.

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News from MENU

Danish design brand MENU reveals new additions to their collection of furniture, lighting and home accessories. From soothing and expressive to bold and charismatic across a seamless mix of tactile fabrics and natural wood, here's a look at some of my favourites pieces. 

Brasilia Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Anderssen & Voll

Scandinavian mid-century design aesthetics and Brasilian Modernism meet on the new Brasilia Lounge Chair and corresponding Ottoman, designed by Anderssen & Voll. Originally imagined for The Audo, the luxurious armchair-lounge chair hybrid offers unparalleled sitting comfort thanks to its robust frame and soft upholstery.

“The design was directly inspired by the mood at The Audo. There was something about the setting – wooden sculptures, calm ambience and welcoming colours – that made us think of more exotic variations of Modernism rather than our own familiar Scandinavian roots,” note designers Torbjørn Anderssen and Espen Voll.

Made using traditional joinery techniques, the wooden frame gives the chair personality by way of exaggerated armrests, cylindrical legs at the front and broad, wooden boards at the back. The cushioning seat and backrest add to the sense of ease, while the versatile footrest doubles as a seat for unexpected guests or a resting place for a newspaper or tray. Available in three wood options and a range of soft fabrics from MENU'S extensive range, both can be tailored to fit any setting – alone or together.

Interconnect Candle Holder by Colin King

New York-based stylist and designer Colin King has designed the Interconnect Candle Holder, a bold and illuminating centrepiece of exaggerated proportions. Providing a source of cosy candlelight characterised by its deceptively simple geometric form, the beautiful piece speaks volumes - with or without a candle - as a unique and sculptural work of art. 

“As a stylist, I love the idea of a candle holder, but it always fell short through the lens of the camera. I started off with scale and knew I wanted to create something with a real presence. Something with expanse that can live on its own or with other objects,” says Colin King on his new design. 

Interconnect Candle Holder is available in polished brass or painted steel.

Epoch Rack and Shelf by Nina Bruun

For their new collection MENU introduces two new products by Danish designer Nina Bruun. Defined by clean lines, intuitive function and innate beauty, the Epoch Clothes Rack works from the idea of concealing unsightly hangers and tags behind something beautiful. A minimally elegant update of the ubiquitous coat rack with a considered combination of gently rounded edges, warm wood and discreet functionality, it is characterised by soft bands of undulating wood that sit like sculptures on a wall. Referencing 1950s design aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship, Epoch is pure in both form and material. Available in natural or dark stained oak, it is carefully sized to fit both purpose and place.

The Epoch Shelf offers streamlined storage for spaces large and small. Improving and beautifying a well-known object with a wide band of wood, it is simple in both form and function. The space-saving wood veneer piece can be suspended alone or in rows of multiples. It features on the one side a deep shelf for everyday clutter and on the other a shelf on which to place decorative objects.

“The Epoch Collection is for still life displays, for everything we love to surround ourselves with – whether that’s objects or clothing – and to be used in personal and creative ways,” notes Bruun on the new collection.

Torso Portable Table Lamp by Krøyer-Sætter-Larsen

The new Torso Portable Table Lamp, designed for MENU by Krøyer-Sætter-Larsen, is a miniature version of their popular full-size design of the same name, which takes its design cues from childhood homes filled with objects shaped by the human hand. Petite and cosy, the diminutive design brings a sense of intimacy to tabletops, replacing the need for candles thanks to its soft, ambient light, adjustable to suit mood and requirement. At the tap of a finger, a brass button on the linen canvas shade effortlessly turns the light on and off, and a concealed USB charger at the base ensures easy charging – wherever it is used.

The lamps are available in Black, Sand and Ruby.

Hashira Collection by Norm Architects

Designed by Norm Architects and named after the Japanese word for column or pillar, this textile lamp is MENU’s take on the traditional Japanese rice paper lantern. Offered in floor, table, pendant and cluster iterations, the elegant series is updated with a new fabric shade. The raw and gossamer slub linen not only acts as a diffuser, projecting the light in multiple directions while creating a cosy, glare-free ambience, it also adds palpable appeal that enhances the softness of an interior – acoustically as well as tactually.

Ishninomaki AA Stool by Torafu Architects

A devastating earthquake in northeast Japan was the catalyst for a new, community-building initiative to empower individuals through DIY. In 2011, Ishinomaki Laboratory began helping the city rebuild itself through simple, DIY furniture workshops using available materials and skills. Taking the concept out into the wider world under the moniker Made in Local, MENU joins forces with the Japanese furniture maker and designer TORAFU ARCHITECTS to create the AA STOOL. 

“Ishinomaki Laboratory is now more than just a brand which originated in a disaster-stricken area: it has become a model for small, local brands and ventures contributing to regional revitalisation. And now, through the Made in Local initiative, we can share with our partners around the world the significance, the uniqueness and even the fun of Made in Local, as well as the various lessons that can be drawn from our story. Ishinomaki Laboratory’s furniture is for everyone and everyday life,” says founder Keiji Ashizawa.

Produced in Denmark from locally grown Danish Douglas fir, the handcrafted stool is as simple as it is versatile. The flat-pack design features exposed screws and dimensional lumber, pushing the boundaries of do-it-yourself to create an innovative seat that uses materials effectively. The AA STOOL comes in a pack of two and is available in two sizes, the AA STOOL and AA HIGH STOOL. Each can be used individually or in combination to create a wider seat.

To see all of the new designs visit MENU.  

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