Reason: An inspired residential building rises above a dense streetscape, taking on the task of re-establishing the city’s drama, and of breathing life into the surrounding neighbourhood. The building basks in the many challenges of the property and its density, plays with volumes and materials all the way up to the green terraces, viewing spots and communal areas of the roofscape. In an environment that is still fairly defined by the monotony of industrial and office landscapes, this architecture creates its own order and rhythm, with a complexity whose references lie as much in the far past as in the far future.
Reason: In Scandinavia, nature is the secular society’s place of worship. The Norsk Skogsfinsk Museum endeavours to depict the forest’s breathtaking verticality, which is given full latitude in this tall and unbroken museum building. The scale careens between the hearth of the cabin to the Pantheon of the clearing, while drawing the viewer’s attention to the surrounding landscape. The fiction is reinforced by the expression of the building volumes as characters in the landscape: like mythical beings released from one’s imagination that sneak off amongst the trees.
Reason: Through an experimental creative process, which involved the house’s performers and its geographical location, the Gothenburg Opera’s new identity has succeeded in conveying both playfulness and elegance. The moving design, which works perfectly in digital channels, reflects a contemporary and vibrant opera house.
Reason: Based on a clear, clean and user-friendly environment, several key features that solve and facilitate user needs on an individual level in a comprehensible language, customer perception of SJ has shifted from delays and cancelled trains to user-friendliness and clarity with the help of design.
Reason: An outstanding design of an apparently simple, unique product based on keen understanding of the target group, heir abilities and limitations. The purpose is to give a person with arm paralysis, due for example to stroke, the ability to use a walker for increased safety and quality of life.
Reason: Based on user conditions, environmental targets and regional production, this has resulted in the emergence of a micro economy. From pellet production of weeds, to a burning technology that eliminates deadly carbon dioxide emissions. Functionally designed products, for everything from homes to professional kitchens.
Reason: The karaoke bar Sing Sing brings new life to Chapman’s Square, Gothenburg. With its bold interior and strong identity, New Order have infused imagination and flare to achieve a democratic and welcoming interior. Its eye-catching and quirky details dare to go against what we typically expect of Scandinavian design, whilst the interplay of colours and layout fuses elements of Bauhaus (movement) with Asian karaoke establishments. A project that we believe will make a difference and contribute to inspiring tomorrow’s interior architects and enthusiasts.
Reason: A very interesting product that breaks established patterns in its genre. Cake cleverly utilises the switch from fossil to renewable fuels to leave what is visually predictable and create a whole new and elegant signature. A new era of technology designed with great precision.
Reason: Through simple means, the design of the roundabouts along Växthusvägen has added great visual value, as the illuminated capsules contribute to an aesthetically qualitative and balanced environment by bringing the light down to a human scale in a place where lighting is otherwise primarily aimed at rapidly passing vehicles. The warm glow of the light solution interacts well with the red brick pavers, strengthens the identity of the site and provides clear navigation markers in the residential area.
Reason: Matilda Kästel’s project Fridlyst is a clear and brilliant example of what could be described as the new glass. The different elements of the piece show glass in a new way beyond the seductive aspects of the material – aspects that have stifled the evolution of glass, as well as made it a material deeply rooted in the volksgeist.
Reason: Atacac develops new ways of producing clothing and challenges traditional sales practices of the fashion industry. The digital visualisation of 3D models reduces the distance between online and traditional shopping. The pricing strategy that rewards early orders clearly criticises today’s sale culture, thereby also integrating an evident sustainability strategy into the business model. Atacac is thus not only based on different theories on how fashion of the future may look, but also translates these theories into practice.
Reason: Through meticulous work, Jesper Ståhl has designed a spotlight with a personal expression that stands out among the huge number of cylindrical spotlights on the market. The elegant meeting between fixture and track mount gives Mocca a considerately discreet design of high aesthetic quality, without taking attention away from what is illuminated. The fact that the slit required for passive cooling is bevelled demonstrates keen accuracy and strengthens it minimal elegance.
Reason: With her textile ”Chintz”, Lisa Englund has created a personal interpretation of Josef Frank’s pattern ”US Tree” from 1945. With the unmistakable presence of her hand, she paints a vibrating, contemporary pattern with reference to both Indian block printing and Frank’s favourite North American tree.
Reason: With their scrumptiously sculptural purple outdoor furniture in a Jakobsberg park, Gripner & Hägglund have laid the foundation for unexpected meetings and greater social sustainability. Their sofas and armchairs in the Cushy series encourage togetherness and unexpected meetings, while challenging the usual distinctions between art and furniture, between soft and hard.
Reason: Privatliv gives young people the opportunity to independently explore their body, feelings, integrity and sexuality. With guidance from a teacher, it offers in-depth studies and group discussions. The expression is playful, the content norm creative and inclusive. With tens of thousands of visits each day, it is clear that Privatliv is relevant and reaches a far wider audience than the initially intended target group. We would like to congratulate Sweden’s youngsters on a richer, happier and more curious private life!
Reason: In this studio home, the windows function as light source, doors, walls, dividers, conveyors, frames, openings and ends. The windows create spaces on either side with an architectural clarity that makes inside and outside a completely negotiable play of features and communication. The meetings between studio and home, bunker and terrace, threshold and horizon, unite facade and windows in a smooth tango of concrete and glass.
Reason: The jury would like to award both choice of material and design. The choice of aluminium means that the facade will last for a long time and the interesting artistic expression demonstrates the endless possibilities of the material. The design embraces and conveys ideas of the classic and humanistic context of human encounters. The addition of artificial light enhances the expression of the facade, especially during the darker hours of the day. A facade that expresses the building’s purpose in a modern and classic manner!
Reason: A collection that breathes playfulness and seriousness, in a size that surprisingly makes the object stand out in a room and not disappear. It demonstrates a designer who has taken the craft to new levels, who has drawn her bow and proven that the boundaries between art and crafts are being blurred. The vases are beautiful and humorous, as well as functional. They radiate joy and humility, leaving nothing to chance. Frida Fjellman is a pioneer ahead of her time, which makes her a trendsetter. A collection for which the designer has been guided by skilled craftsmen who lift the material of glass to a new dimension.
Reason: The Honorary Award of the Jury 2018 goes to Bea Szenfeld, whose work as a whole constantly challenges design, materials and prevalence. Bea Szenfeld moves the boundaries between fashion, applied arts and design, all areas in which she distinguishes herself. Keen knowledge of design, an astute sense of material and masterly executed practical craftsmanship are all evident in Bea Szenfeld’s work, making her artistry exceptional and innovative.
