SOMMERRO HOUSE
Oslo, Norway
“Luxurious opulence, with a hint of whimsy”
Working in a transatlantic creative partnership, Alice was the Design Director of this behemoth project, with Jonny managing a large chunk of the drawing production – including numerous bespoke designed joinery and furniture pieces that add to Sommerro’s distinct flair, in celebration of Norway’s rich history of design and craft.
This landmark building now houses several bars and restaurants, over 200 guestrooms, spa & wellness facilities, two pools, private cinema and extensive event spaces, to be enjoyed by both international guests and the local community alike.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
We delved into the dreamy, folkloric work of artist and designer Gerhard Munthe, leading us towards an abundant hoard of surrealist, richly patterned historical fantasy, with an emphasis on total design - ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’. We were enthralled by the expressions of Norway’s finest artists of the era at Oslo’s City Hall, an abundant showcase of national romanticism combined with functionalism, classicism and modernism.
Elements of Scandinavian Art Deco and Norwegian furniture design were also woven in – culminating in a layered evocative experience with an aim to preserve and embellish the existing historical features of the building’s interior.
BUILDING CONTEXT
Designed by Norwegian architects Bjercke and Eliassen as the headquarters for the city’s electricity company Oslo Lysverker, the building has an Italian-inspired neoclassicist façade, with functionalist and art deco details to the interior. It was completed in 1931, but a pause in construction of some years led to a reassessment of spatial requirements, and the subsequent inclusion of an exuberant mosaic decorated pool and public sauna – all of which are still open today.
There were many preserved historical elements to the interiors to draw inspiration from, including a vast mural by artist Per Krohg in the former payment hall, now the main restaurant space, depicting the process and uses of generated electricity.
Images courtesy of Sommerro House, by Francisco Nogueira.g