Jonas & Kasper (Norm)  good design meets real needs and satisfies all senses: A classic, recognizable shape with a new, original twist that calls for attention. A surprising, little detail, or a new material enticing you to touch the product, smell it, enjoy the sound when you put it on the table. Norm brings function and beauty together, always adding that little extra in pursuit of timelessness and soul.

The reconstruction of the house was an old, land workers house had to be turned into a modern home, with a lot more light coming in, in order to function as a home as well as a studio. The raw materials were the first inspiration: Brick walls, concrete floors and a huge steel beam supporting the first floor was actually part of the house when the project started. And these were the elements that were used to make the identity of the house, together with the old wooden beams that were revealed when reconstructing the first floor. The original concrete floors were removed and floor heating was installed before the new concrete floor was laid out, sanded roughly and treated with a shiny epoxy. The floor heating allowed us to remove all wall-mounted heating from the ground floor and then we rebuild the walls as clean-cut white, matte surfaces. No panelling, just white walls. Since the outside of the house is protected by local architectural restrictions, the windows were kept in the original style. But this gave a good contrast to the strict square window openings.

The two designers are inspired by the Nordic scenery and use natural materials to ensure a long life to their design objects. Their designs are simple and minimalist but also with an attention to detail which gives the objects an inviting twist. In addition to beautiful workmanship and aesthetic simplicity, the designers behind Norm insist that the essence of viability and long lasting products lies in keeping an uncensored relationship with nature. Norm Architects’ design process is an effort to create shapes, spaces and structures, which are sustainable.

Function

Function is the primary aim of architecture – fulfilling a specific need or solving a problem, whether it is of practical or aesthetic nature. The creative idea must originate from a specific problem in a specific place – one must start by asking the right questions. Maintaining the function must not fall victim of trendy tendencies, aesthetic dogmas or fancy ideas. Function needs to be the underlying flow in all architectural thinking.

Materials

Architecture does not need to be sculptural or ornamented when you use beautiful and natural materials which only become more beautiful in time. A simple room in where the sunlight shines on a surface of natural stone, natural wood or structural textiles can be decorative in itself. It is the choice of material, proportions and the execution of details which makes the difference.

Light

Light is what defines shape and is the most important element in creating a special atmosphere. This is why the way architecture orchestrates the natural light and the way one decorates with artificial light is a determining factor. The work with light, transparency, translucency and reflections are essentials parts. And the dimensions and shape of the room are essential for the way light moves through architecture. Man needs different lightning conditions depending on events and needs.

 

Description / Artsist House / Humlebæk, Denmark

Norm Architects / www.normcph.com

Design: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen & Kasper Rønn

Completion 2009

Size: 100 m2

Site: Humlebæk, Denmark

Client: Von Lotzbeck

Photographer: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

 

Norm

info

Norm Architects consists of the design-duo Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Rønn. They both went to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Norm was founded in 2008 as a multidisciplinary design studio focusing on residential architecture, commercial interiors and industrial design. Together, Kasper and Jonas are highly successful as creators of architecture, furniture, and interior objects. Norm has received several