One to watch - AWAA
Three multitalented Norwegians are collectively the furniture design outfit AWAA.
Words by Helen Parton
Who
The Norwegian design collective Angell Wyller Aarseth (AWAA) was founded in 2010 by Christoffer Angell, Øyvind Wyller and Simen Aarseth.
The trio also have individual, well-established careers within the fields of design: Angell works at Oslo-based architecture practice Mellbye Arkitekter A/S, Wyller is also a freelance designer and has experience with design journalism from his time as a columnist with the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, while Aarseth works as a brand strategist and designer at the Oslo-based firm Work.
A wooden lounge chair with a slung seat and back, Oslo neatly combines the studio's Nordic sensibility with a link to American heritage.
They aim to continue to be greater than the sum of their individual parts when it comes to furniture design while separating pursuing their respective fields.
Why
While studying for their Masters of Design at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, the three realised they had complementary ideas about design. A turning point in their joint career was when they met Jerry Helling, president of Bernhardt Design, at an evening as part of 100% Norway.
As the name suggests, Saddle features hanging cushions that fold over the edge of the chair - like a saddle. AWAA says that separating a 'generic' wooden frame from its upholstery defines softness and comfort.
'We'd trained ourselves to not get too excited when someone says, "we want to work with you" because we'd heard it so many times before. But Jerry followed through,' says Wyller. 'It's really exciting when someone tells you this great thing will happen, and then it really does.'
Station functions both as a table and a lamp. Its beam of light is framed by steel tubes and directed towards the table top. Designed as a modular system, Station can be used at different heights
Wyller is referring to the Oslo chair, AWAA's first commercially launched product, which made its debut at the 2013 London Design Festival.
Where
awaa.no
