Dezeen School Shows:  a project questioning the shape of chairs is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Oslo National Academy of the Arts.

Also included is a project investigating the impact of technology and data on the environment and another consisting of interactive objects that aim to spark conversations around childbirth.

Oslo National Academy of the Arts

Institution: Oslo National Academy of the Arts
School: Design Department
Course: Master in Design, Interior Architecture and Furniture Design
Tutors: Toni Kauppila, Patrick Grung, Vigdis Ruud, Sigurd Strøm and Isak Wisløff

School statement:

"The programme of Interior Architecture and Furniture Design is part of Oslo National Academy of the Arts, which originated from the Royal Norwegian Drawing School in 1818.

"The school has now developed into a contemporary multidisciplinary art institution with departments in design, crafts, fine arts and performing arts.

"We find this setup very inspiring and fruitful for our agenda, where our programme is in between several disciplines, taking advantage of rich dialogue with multiple voices.

"Our common agenda is to work with the social space and with the objects and things related to it.

"We see this as a framework of our society's cultures that we wish to engage with.

"We avoid making fixed definitions for our disciplines, preferring to challenge the students to investigate the peripheries.

"Our pedagogical approach is based on a critical dialogue and collaborative learning.

"The ideology intends to prepare our students for the uncertain future, to be able to explore those emerging territories with their personal and professional skills.

"The course enables every student to elevate their design abilities to advanced design practices.

"The aim is to contribute to the critical discourses in the continuously redefined design professions and to create active leaders within the field.

"The studio practices are explored as design research in the subject fields."

The Dance of the Krill Catcher by Charlotte M. Friis

"In an alternative bio-future, humans adapt to life underwater as Homo Pisces when the effects of human-made climate changes materialise.

"Their main source of sustenance is krill, and consumption is dependent on an object close to their body: the krill catcher.

"The krill catcher integrates biology into its design and acts as an example of technology superseding biological evolution.

"The Dance of the Krill Catcher is an exploration of the movements involved in the everyday ritual of sourcing krill.

"The object reminds us of the movement's social function to unify in an inaudible world."

Student: Charlotte M Friis
Course: MA in Design
Tutor: Patrick Grung

Begrip by Marte Elise Nesdal

"Begrip (meaning 'to comprehend') aims to prompt reflection on the absence of language surrounding the experience of birth.

"Utilising design as a communicative tool, it seeks to create a connection between birth, society and language.

"The proposed design introduces a series of objects that integrate into a larger context, forming a toolkit for language, function and understanding.

"The goal is to foster reflection and dialogue about our relationship with birth, with the hope of contributing to a more nuanced conversation, breaking down barriers and creating greater understanding within ourselves and others."

Student: Marte Elise Nesdal
Course: MA in Design
Tutor: Vigdis Ruud

Enclitic Feedback Mapping Image base Linguistic Tool for Mapping Qualities of Architectural Spaces by Alejandro Alberto Rebollar Heres

"This design thesis assesses the illustrated language of the 'unmappable', referring to elusive qualities of space that defy conventional modes of measurement and description.

"These qualities comprehend the ephemeral, dynamic and subjective aspects of architectural experience, ranging from light and shadow, soundscapes, tactile qualities of materials, as well as emotional resonance of spatial configurations, social dynamics and traces left behind by people and events.

"By introducing a new language that embraces these complexities, Enclitic Feedback Mapping (EFM), this project aims to bridge the gap between the physicality of built environments and the intangible qualities that form perceptions of space.

"This thesis hopes to challenge conventional notions of representation and push forward architectural discourse while inspiring new model of thinking, sensing and seeing."

Student: Alejandro Alberto Rebollar Herres
Course: MA in Design
Tutor: Toni Kauppila

FutureLab: Envisioning Abstract Phenomena by Maria Camila Urrego Rojas

"This project addresses the pressing ecological challenges that stem from increased migration and tourism, aiming to eliminate harm to fragile ecosystems by making data related to future ecology accessible and relatable through interior design.

"By drawing inspiration from historical methods of depicting distant worlds and merging these with contemporary digital interfaces, the project merges past and present methods to give shape to the future.

"Utilising AI-powered tools and speculative design, my intention is to create an immersive environments that blend digital media with physical spaces.

"In this way, 'FutureLab' becomes a platform for human-AI collaboration, enabling diverse explorations of hypothetical futures in a sensory and spatial format, leading participants to form mental models of imaginary future realities."

Student: Maria Camila Urrego Rojas
Course: MA in Design
Tutor: Toni Kauppila
Email: contact[at]camiur.com

Ground Control by Kjetil Smedal

"In every moment, a muted dialogue takes place between the physical world and the fundamental forces that govern it.

"At the core lies gravity, a force both obvious and intangible to us at the same time.

"Ground Control investigates gravity's inherent energy and presence in the physical realm – the aim of this project is to reveal these quiet dynamics.

"By presenting moments where the interaction between physical material and gravity is prominent, the project allows a glimpse of quiet mechanisms of the world, fostering a heightened awareness and curiosity for the silent forces that shape our reality."

Student: Kjetil Smedal
Course: MA in Design
Tutor: Sigurd Strøm

What Is Culinary Spatial Practice? by Josephine Sassu

"My project is a handbook for spatial designers to change the status quo within the system of spatial and culinary practices, questioning how one could adapt the values of Nordic cuisine onto the realm of interior architecture.

"Embarking on what it takes to feel a sense of belonging when eating a meal, I aim to discover what it takes to create the same sense of belonging within a space.

"The concept of Nordic cuisine, rightly coined by René Redzepi as 'time and place', is very simple – however, to live by time and place is very complex.

"Culinary Spatial Practice combines the elements of origin, identity and experience to promote presence and belonging."

Student: Josephine Sassu
Course: MA in Design
Tutor: Sigurd Strøm
Email: jmsassu[at]gmail.com

Elemental Random Access Memory (E-Ram) by Mathias Brask-Nilsen Malm

"Against the backdrop of a 'sustainable shift', Norway has been re-situated on the world stage by soaring global demands for minerals and metals, and the mining sector's ambition to grow.

"If the promises of wealth through mining activities are delivered, our only two mines in operation will turn into hundreds of potential endeavours.

"Through documentation and communication, E-Ram questions the complexity of this national venture by the mining sector and investigates its current trajectory that presents promises and paradoxes.

"As an investigative project, it brings to light how our new technology-driven future of circuit boards, data and clouds impact the environment."

Student: Mathias Brask-Nilsen Malm
Course: MA in Design
Tutors: Isak Wisløff
Email: mathiasbnm[at]gmail.com

To Draw The Line by Lloyd Achim Winter

"Concerned with form as a designer, I ask myself: what gives me the authority to designate further form?

"A form that translates as a blueprint is always an absolute – make the chair like this and it will be good.

"From my point of view, we have had enough good chairs and enough absolutes.

"Rather than pursuing one grand feat, I believe in the power of small steps. Instead of initiating form, I am concerned with finding form or growing it — stumbling upon it, nurturing it and ultimately accepting it.

"These intentions intrigue me, the causality underlying the manifestation of form in the world, as I consider my role as a designer a catalyst in a process from which form emerges."

Student: Lloyd Achim Winter
Course: MA in Design
Tutor: Sigurd Strøm
Email: lloyd-winter[at]web.de

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.