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Collection by Patrick Sisson

These Studios of Scandinavian Designers Are Bursting with Creativity

A book profiling workspaces ends up revealing the personalities of Scandinavian creatives, craftspeople, and makers.

Belgian interior architect Jessy Van Durme and photographer Piet Albert Goethals embarked on a two-month vacation earlier this year, but instead of leaving the office behind, they invited themselves into the workspaces of 17 contemporary Scandinavian designers. Consider it an aesthetic field trip; charting a course through Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, the duo observed the homes and routines of some of their favorite creatives, learning how the environment and craft traditions inform contemporary practice. Scandinavian Designers at Work, published in October by Luster, shows the subjects unadroned and un-posed, in process and in natural light. Jessy and Piet gave us some insight into their trip with this gallery of some of their favorite photos.

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A set of her pill-shaped Tatti containers, made from turned wood and artisan glass, adorn Nuutinen's desk.
A set of her pill-shaped Tatti containers, made from turned wood and artisan glass, adorn Nuutinen's desk.
Architect and industrial designer Jonas Wagell's studio, in an old milk factory in the Södermalm section of Stockholm, includes photographs and sketches suggesting his preference for color and straightforward, minimal style.
Architect and industrial designer Jonas Wagell's studio, in an old milk factory in the Södermalm section of Stockholm, includes photographs and sketches suggesting his preference for color and straightforward, minimal style.
Inside his shared Copenhagen studio space, Danish ceramicist Lars Rank finds inspiration in both traditional Scandinavian craft and Japanese design, drawn from an artist-in-residence experience he had in Shigaraki.
Inside his shared Copenhagen studio space, Danish ceramicist Lars Rank finds inspiration in both traditional Scandinavian craft and Japanese design, drawn from an artist-in-residence experience he had in Shigaraki.
A close-up of Lars Rank adding dots of color to a ceramic plate.
A close-up of Lars Rank adding dots of color to a ceramic plate.
Industrial designer Louise Hederstrom loves to play with ideas of old and new and draws inspiration from the industrial edge still visible in parts of Malmö, Sweden, where she works. Goethals loved to discover that, mixed within Hederstrom's stack of design books, sat a few volumes on Swedish Death Metal.
Industrial designer Louise Hederstrom loves to play with ideas of old and new and draws inspiration from the industrial edge still visible in parts of Malmö, Sweden, where she works. Goethals loved to discover that, mixed within Hederstrom's stack of design books, sat a few volumes on Swedish Death Metal.
Design duo Morten & Jonas find inspiration from their view of a fjord in Bergen, Norway. The colors and curves in their office belie their playful style, exhibited in creations such as the Wobbelhead Lamp.
Design duo Morten & Jonas find inspiration from their view of a fjord in Bergen, Norway. The colors and curves in their office belie their playful style, exhibited in creations such as the Wobbelhead Lamp.
Furniture designer Sami Kallio may work in Gothenburg, Sweden, but his Finnish heritage comes through strongly in his chairs and lighting (his breakout collection was called "The Finnish Blood in Me").
Furniture designer Sami Kallio may work in Gothenburg, Sweden, but his Finnish heritage comes through strongly in his chairs and lighting (his breakout collection was called "The Finnish Blood in Me").
This portrait of furniture maker Sophia Lithell's Malmö studio captures a work in progress, the Näver stool, which is a piece created with birch bark using traditional weaving techniques.
This portrait of furniture maker Sophia Lithell's Malmö studio captures a work in progress, the Näver stool, which is a piece created with birch bark using traditional weaving techniques.