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Collection by Ali B. Zagat

Designing Norwegian in Sri Lanka

A Norwegian architecture firm tackles an exotic design commission: a new foreign ministry office in Sri Lanka.

Working on the office of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo, Sri Lanka, presented a unique opportunity for Dis. interiørarkitekter, an interior design company based in Oslo. Dis. developed a concept that honors Norwegian design and is appropriate for a variety of public visits and functions: the interiors contrast classic Scandinavian style with traditional motifs of Sri Lankan culture, underlining the idea of two nations intersecting in a single location.

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Each room was furnished with an eye toward flexibility, and can suit a variety of purposes. Encompassing a pair of Montana Monterey tables, the wraparound Ugo sofa from LK Hjelle is designed to facilitate socializing, so that no matter where guests sit they can carry on a conversation with fellow visitors.
Each room was furnished with an eye toward flexibility, and can suit a variety of purposes. Encompassing a pair of Montana Monterey tables, the wraparound Ugo sofa from LK Hjelle is designed to facilitate socializing, so that no matter where guests sit they can carry on a conversation with fellow visitors.
The library serves as both an office and a small, informal meeting space. Offect’s hyperpigmented Spoon chairs create parallels with traditional Sri Lankan clothing and the country’s rich natural landscape. The soft, vibrant fabric also accentuates the simple lines of an Artur desk from Scandinavian design collective SA Møbler and a Monterey coffee table by Montana.
The library serves as both an office and a small, informal meeting space. Offect’s hyperpigmented Spoon chairs create parallels with traditional Sri Lankan clothing and the country’s rich natural landscape. The soft, vibrant fabric also accentuates the simple lines of an Artur desk from Scandinavian design collective SA Møbler and a Monterey coffee table by Montana.
One of the challenges of introducing Scandinavian style into a tropical climate: the climate itself. The light-colored wood that embodies Norwegian style would not tolerate constant heat and humidity. Dis. specially sourced a high-pressure laminate for tabletops, surrounded here by Bone chairs from Materia. JAB’s Lana rug provides additional color and texture against the white table and walls.
One of the challenges of introducing Scandinavian style into a tropical climate: the climate itself. The light-colored wood that embodies Norwegian style would not tolerate constant heat and humidity. Dis. specially sourced a high-pressure laminate for tabletops, surrounded here by Bone chairs from Materia. JAB’s Lana rug provides additional color and texture against the white table and walls.
The interior is bright and spacious, with white walls that give each room a clean, fresh look. Art and sculptural objects appear around every corner, softening the space, so that it feels friendly and welcoming, not formal. Pairs of Boy poufs from LK Hjelle provide a pop of color and flexible seating options.
The interior is bright and spacious, with white walls that give each room a clean, fresh look. Art and sculptural objects appear around every corner, softening the space, so that it feels friendly and welcoming, not formal. Pairs of Boy poufs from LK Hjelle provide a pop of color and flexible seating options.
The dining room houses one of Northern Lighting’s Moo lamps, in a nod to traditional ski lodge décor. A Camouflage pendant lamp from Zero casts a dramatic pattern over Snedkergaarden’s Steel table. A set of playful blue Clint chairs from Fora Form pop against the black and white tile floor.
The dining room houses one of Northern Lighting’s Moo lamps, in a nod to traditional ski lodge décor. A Camouflage pendant lamp from Zero casts a dramatic pattern over Snedkergaarden’s Steel table. A set of playful blue Clint chairs from Fora Form pop against the black and white tile floor.
During the day, floor-to-ceiling windows let in abundant natural light. In the evening, the whole residence glows with warmth and color.
During the day, floor-to-ceiling windows let in abundant natural light. In the evening, the whole residence glows with warmth and color.