since my early years growing up in Norway, carpentry and woodworking was more or less a part of everyday life. my family like many others have a culture of being self-sufficient and doing their own building work, maintenance and crafts of many types.

meet the maker

during my studies at Falmouth College of Arts in Cornwall where I studied 3D-design for sustainability, I developed a keen interest in understanding materials in design; both for their inherent beauty and functional properties. throughout my degree I approached every project being as hands-on as possible from the conception of an idea, its development, prototyping and the making of the final product. I took great pleasure in the entire design process, however the selection of raw materials and shaping them to realise an idea is my absolute favourite part of the process.

for some years I also taught art and design, where I delivered lessons and projects using resistant materials and teaching a wide variety of construction skills. many projects were individual and for the students to explore particular concepts or develop certain skills. I also organised larger team/ class based projects like murals, building outdoor seating, firepit areas and skateboard ramps.

my upbringing in Norway, my degree in Falmouth and experiences throughout my working life has thought me many practical skills that I draw on through the design and making process. I find good communication and consultation with the client is vital in developing an understanding of their needs and reaching the best possible solutions. I aim to deliver considered designs that supports my clients through life and at their workplace without compromising on aesthetics.

if you; have a project in mind, a space with unrealised potential, need a practical or decorative solution realised, nordesign would be delighted to discuss and aid in any way possible.

material - "significant, major, important, of consequence, vital, essential, key " or "matter, substance, medium"

choosing and sourcing materials is a key step in the design process. wood and wood products are the main material for most projects, and sourcing it locally or from sustainable sources is vital when achievable. re-use and reclaimed materials is a great way to ensure that the carbon footprint is kept low and waste kept to a minimum, in addition these martials can offer an authentic character that new materials can only mimic.

sheet materials tends to be both economical and offers great flexibility in design, with a range of thicknesses and sizes. plywood is the go-to, combining the warmth and natural beauty of wood with a clean modern appeal. the visible top layer can be surfaced in a variety of of real-wood veneers, offering many attractive finishes to match your interior schemes.

if clients prefer a flatter painted finish; MDF [now produced with much stricter safety regulations and far less or even formaldehyde free boards] is a great alternative and to achieve the best possible finish all cut edges can be veneered. as with plywood, MDF can also be surfaced in a range real-wood veneers, offering a flexible and cost effective solution to solid timber.

Valchromat is a fantastic engineered board with many appealing properties and with strong environmental attention. it comes in a range of colours using organic dyes which has been impregnated throughout the board, giving any cut edge a uniform finish. the fibres in the boards are bonded using an organic non-toxic resin, which aids in the cutting, machining and finishing processes. - https://www.investwood.pt/en/valchromat/

to further promote sustainability; selecting the appropriate material for the task ensures designs that lasts and can be cherished. using quality components that are tried, tested and can keep up with everyday use may come at an initial cost, but will pay for itself in the long run. beautiful and functional design that seamlessly integrates with our lives becomes important to us, things we love are less likely to be replaced.