Scan Magazine | Issue 41 | juse 2012

JUNE 2012 ISSUE 41 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

CAMILLA LÄCKBERG: QUEEN OF SWEDISH CRIME MADE IN SWEDEN AND RECOGNISED WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCE MÄLARDALEN, FJORD NORWAY AND ÅLAND DESIGN IN NORWAY: EXCITING, FRESH & INNOVATIVE

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Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

36

Camilla Läckberg Only a decade ago, Camilla Läckberg was a 20-something Stockholm woman with a good job and a boyfriend, expecting her first child. Ten years later, she is Sweden’s top-selling crime novel author with her twelfth book on its way.

58

14

Danish Design For the world’s interior design set, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, aka the Milan Furniture Fair or even the Milan Design Week, is the place to see and be seen. This year, Denmark’s designers really made a great impact.

46

16

63

FEATURES 77

Made in Sweden The high quality of Swedish products and services is well recognised worldwide, making Sweden a very attractive country to do business with.

30

Bosøre Strand Feriepark At Scandinavia’s number one campsite, Bøsøre Strand Feriepark, fairy tales, friendliness and beautiful surroundings make camping in Denmark a five-star experience.

SPECIAL THEMES 17

Åland and the sea The coast of Finland is a beautiful and multifaceted area that seems never-ending, and the archipelago is full of picturesque islands that invite visitors to relax and enjoy the Finnish summer cottage lifestyle.

Anne Sofie Madsen Anne Sofie Madsen’s mesmerising debut collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS2012 saw the scintillating emergence of an immensely talented designer who ticked all the boxes for potential stardom, but fit into none.

Fjord Norway The fjords in western Norway have inspired artists and painters for centuries and continue to have an important role today – in art, culture and, most importantly, tourism.

DESIGN FEATURES 8

Design in Norway While Norwegian design has not always made a strong impact, and its reputation had until recently not reached that many corners of the world, today the outlook is very different. Norwegian design has garnered a lot of attention for being exciting, fresh and innovative.

82

A Bridge Too Far Lars Tharp’s nostalgic column about his childhood journeys from England to Denmark, crossing the Little Belt and the Great Belt.

Mälardalen Mälardalen, the Mälaren Valley, is known for its characteristic red cottages, impressive manor houses, and beautiful shorelines along Lake Mälaren.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 12 78

We Love This | 13 Fashion Diary | 67 Hotels of the Month | 72 Attractions of the Month Restaurants of the Month | 85 Humour | 106 Music & Culture | 108 Culture Calendar

Scan Business

94

FEATURES 88

59 94

Brock continues to expand in Asia With 1,500 students in Asia and numbers still growing, Niels Brock Business School is one of the few educational institutions in Denmark that is anticipating having more Asian than Danish students within the next decade.

90

96

REGULARS & COLUMNS 86

From locally to globally mobile workforces Lisa Herold Ferbing, chairman of Djøf, the Danish union for law graduates, economists, and political and social science graduates, and their students, believes that global mobility will benefit economy and society.

Business Columns & News Key note, columns and news stories on Scandinavian businesses and business events.

98 92

The PURE Water Company With an elegant design and an engaged voice, the PURE Water Company has gained momentum with its innovative approach to drinking water solutions.

The art of pipe smoking Piber.dk was founded by Mette Karmisholt and her husband in 2002 and has been selling pipes online ever since; their extensive collection of pipes and tobacco and guidelines on how to smoke have made them popular with both long-time pipe smokers and newcomers.

The taste of North Jutland Smagen Nordjylland has gathered North Jutland’s many quality-minded food producers under one umbrella, making it easy for distributors and gourmands to find what they are looking for in an area bursting with choice.

Conferences of the Month The best conference venues, events and congresses of the month.

104 Scandinavian Business Calendar Highlights of Scandinavian business events.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, The sun is out, Euphoria conquered at the Eurovision song contest and there is just a lot to look forward to this summer – it’s a great feeling. Whether you’re excited for the London 2012 Olympics or the great line-up of acts at the summer festivals taking place in the UK and Scandinavia, the upcoming months are sure to deliver exciting experiences.

And to continue on the subject of Sweden’s great achievements, in our theme “Made in Sweden”, we highlight a selection of high-quality products and services that really show off Swedish ingenuity. We will also introduce you to the Mälardalen area in Sweden; the beautiful Mälaren Valley is known for its characteristic red cottages, impressive manor houses, and beautiful shorelines along Lake Mälaren.

This issue also includes a short introduction to coastal Finland and its archipelago, as well as the Åland Islands, an autonomous region of Finland located in between Finland and Sweden, in the northern part of the Baltic Sea. Our cover feature is all about Swedish literary talent in the form of crime writer Camilla Läckberg, one of Europe’s bestselling authors. Her successful Fjällbacka series now includes eight books, of which six have been translated into English. If you’re into Nordic noir, then Läckberg is definitely right up your street.

I hope you enjoy our June issue!

Nia Kajastie Editor

Continuing from last issue’s architecture theme, we have now concentrated on design companies in Norway. Scan Magazine has chosen some excellent interior design, graphic design and landscape architecture companies for this theme.

Staying within Norway, we will also introduce you to some of the best places and things to do in the breathtaking landscapes of Fjord Norway.

Scan Magazine

Contributors

Karl Batterbee

Issue 41 | June 2012

Linnéa Mitchell

Lars Tharp

Published 07.06.2012

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4 | Issue 41 | June 2012

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Scan Magazine | Contributors

Regular Contributors Nia Kajastie (Editor) was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, and moved to London in 2005 to study writing. With a BA in Journalism & Creative Writing, she now describes herself as a full-time writer and grammar stickler.

Karl Batterbee is devoted to Scandinavian music and knows exactly what is coming up in the UK. Apart from writing a monthly music update for Scan Magazine Karl has also started the Scandipop Club Night and its corresponding website: www.scandipop.co.uk.

Emelie Krugly Hill has worked on a number of Swedish newspapers. After travelling extensively, she has been based in London since 2006. Her particular interests are news and current affairs within Sweden and the export of Scandinavian culture to the UK.

Norwegian Karin Modig has lived in London since 1998: she arrived with the intention of staying just four months. She currently works as a freelance journalist and PR consultant, and is a keen handball player.

Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns.

Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.

Linnea Dunne has been writing professionally for over 10 years. Having started out on a local paper in Sweden, she is passionate about Scandinavian music and culture, and currently works in London as a full-time writer and translator.

Julie Guldbrandsen is Scan Magazine’s fashion and design expert; she has worked in the fashion industry for more than 10 years, and advised various Scandinavian design and fashion companies. Besides, Julie has a BA in business and philosophy and has lived in Copenhagen, Singapore and Beijing before settling down in London.

Magnus Nygren Syversen is a Norwegian freelance journalist and feature writer, who graduated from Middlesex University with a BA in Journalism & Communication in 2010. Having left London and relocated to the other side of the world, he is currently doing his MA at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.

Ingrid Marie Holmeide came to London from Norway to study creative writing. She is currently working as a freelance writer and translator, while publishing her first novel.

Swedish Sara Schedin is a freelance writer with a degree in journalism from City University London. She moved here in 2006 and is currently covering Scandinavian culture in the UK. Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

6 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Inna Allen is a freelance writer, translator and photographer whose passions lie in all things art and design. She moved to the UK from her native Finland in 2001 and has since developed a chronic yearning for sauna.

Having travelled much of the world, Signe Hansen, MA graduate in Journalism and previous editor at Scan Magazine, is now back freelancing in London, where she writes on everything Scandinavian and her main passions: culture, travel and health.

Ulrika Osterlund spent most of her life in London, but recently returned to Stockholm, where she is working as a journalist.

She studied international business in Paris and journalism in London. She is also a budding novelist.

Linnéa Mitchell is a freelance journalist who came to London in 2003 as a TV announcer for Swedish TV3. She now contributes to English and Swedish publications, parallel to doing voiceover jobs as well as blogging for a children’s/parents’ website.

Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt is a Swedish freelancer with over 10 years’ experience in publishing. She does a lot of work in the talent market field: employer branding, career development and internal communication. Since moving to London, she has increasingly focused on Scandinavian culture and Scandinavians’ perceptions of London.

Kim Dohm is an Anglo-Dane, brought up in London by Danish parents. With a real passion for Danish design, he was surrounded by the best of it from an early age, especially when he used to spend his childhood holidays in Denmark. He’s the Creative Soul and Founder of 95%Danish and now DOHMUS. He’s also the Vice-Chairman of The Anglo Danish Society.

Lars Tharp is the BBC Antiques Roadshow’s only Dane.

Lars was born in Copenhagen and educated in England. Emulating his Danish grandfather (Nordic Bronze Age Lur specialist H C Broholm), he studied the Old Stone Age at Cambridge University.

But jobs for Palaeolithic archaeologists are scarce, so he joined Sotheby’s as a specialist in Chinese works of art, becoming a director and auctioneer with the firm and joining the Roadshow in 1986.

Today, as well as broadcasting (and writing the occasional column for Scan Magazine), he runs his own art consultancy business (www.tharp.co.uk).

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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Camilla Läckberg

8 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Camilla Läckberg

Camilla Läckberg: One of Europe’s bestselling authors takes on the UK Only a decade ago, Camilla Läckberg was a 20-something Stockholm woman with a good job and a boyfriend, expecting her first child. Ten years later, she is Sweden’s top-selling crime novel author with her twelfth book on its way. She is also a mother of three and has just been crowned “Woman of the Year” by the influential tabloid newspaper Expressen, as well as taking part in the Swedish version of Dancing with the Stars, Let’s Dance. Scan Magazine met her to reflect on her success.

By Linnéa Mitchell | Photos: Bingo Rimér

The first half of 2012 held the release of Läckberg's sixth crime novel The Drowning in the UK, while in Sweden her eighth and latest crime novel Änglamakerskan (The Angel Maker) is on the shelves, both holding a new mystery for the couple Erica and Patrik, taking place in the rural coastal town of Fjällbacka in western Sweden. Yet Läckberg has already moved on to the next thing and is, at the time of speaking, completely consumed by dance practice ahead of her next challenge: this season’s Let’s Dance on national television. She is the first to admit that dancing is not one of her strongest talents, but as history shows, she never fears a challenge. After all, it was only a few years ago that she had a successful career as an economist, only to jack it all in to fulfil her dream of writing books. Her first novel, Isprinsessan (The Ice Princess), was accepted the same week her first child was born. She went on to write her next two

novels during her maternity leave. She has since sold ten million books in 30 different countries worldwide, and she is also one of Europe’s bestselling novelists. “It has cost me plenty of hard work and not much rest or café lattes with other mums, but it was my chance to see if I could do this,” she says.

From finance to fiction The novels all take place in her hometown Fjällbacka, a Scandinavian rural idyll turned crime scene, on the Swedish west coast. It was here that Läckberg grew up eating fresh seafood, playing on sunbathed cliffs and writing horrific crime stories from an early age. Horror stories and crime were always an obsession and writing a book a deep dream. Instead, she went to the School of Economics and Commercial Law at Göteborg University, picked up a Masters in Economics and moved to Stockholm. But a couple of years

into her career, she spent every Sunday dreading going to work the following morning and failing to see a way out. “I only saw one big hamster wheel,” says Läckberg. Meanwhile, she spent all her free time dwelling on her dream of writing a book until one of her friends had enough and tipped off Läckberg’s then husband to give her a crime-writing course for Christmas. He picked up on the idea and sent Läckberg off. Unsurprisingly, she thrived and there was no going back. “It was thanks to my big mouth that it happened,” she laughs.

Some have called it an overnight success but Läckberg disagrees. “It was great to get my first book published, but it didn’t sell more than 3,000 copies, which was considered good for a debutante writer, but I couldn’t live on it,” she says. Realising she had to work harder to be able to write for a living, she went on to write two

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 9

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Camilla Läckberg

more books during maternity leave with her first two children. “I’ve been extremely active marketing myself, changing publishers and generally working hard, so it hasn’t all been easy,” she says.

And it paid off. Apart from selling millions of books, Läckberg also picked up the Folket Literature Prize in 2006, and in 2010, she set up a film company with existing film production company Tre Vänner (Three Friends) to take the books to the big screen as Fjällbackamorden (The Fjällbacka Murders).

and think. And in many countries people tell me how they recognise things from their own small towns. It’s fantastic that it’s so universal,” she says. Luckily, the residents of her hometown have been very forgiving. “They think it’s great! I was a bit worried at the start as I don’t always write nice things, but they have been fantastic.”

The characters There are similarities between Läckberg and one of the books’ main characters, Erica Falck: hard-working author and mother of three, who rises to the challenge (for Erica that happens to be her husband’s job). As the wife of police constable Patrik, Erica struggles to stay away from confidential police investigations, but nothing stays secret for very long in a small town. With some of the senior police officers failing to live up to expectations, and thanks to her own keen investigative mind, she ends up playing a major part in unveiling the gripping secrets, often going back decades in history.

Parallel to the enthralling mysteries, Läckberg focuses on the home life of the main characters; they are like any other family with small children, striving for work-life balance and sharing responsibilities. “I think female authors perhaps focus a bit more on relationships and everyday life,” she says.

So much have her roots inspired her that she even wrote a couple of cookbooks; Smaker från Fjällbacka (Tastes from Fjällbacka), inspired by local culinary tastes, together with childhood friend and celebrity chef Christian Hellberg in 2008, and Fest, Mat & Kärlek (Party, Food & Love) in 2011. She also wrote a children’s book called Super-Charlie in 2010.

person who could easily lie on the sofa all day watching Oprah. But how many crime stories can one possibly squeeze out of one single small town? “I’ve never understood the concept of setting a target of how many books to write,” she explains.

“How am I supposed to know that? I write for as long as it’s fun, it’s as simple as that.” She has no routines (apart from nursery time being writing time) or writer’s block tricks, or a special source of inspiration. “Everything I do springs from random events,” says Läckberg.

“I don’t really think about what I’m going to do in the future, it kind of just happens by itself. But perhaps I’m good at picking up on opportunities and making something out of them. Life gives you lots of opportunities and then it’s up to you to be a bit alert and grab them,” she smiles. “Many people think about things they would like to do when they get the time, but the thing is that this might never happen, so you just have to do it - now.”

One of those opportunities as a result of fame has been Let’s Dance (she almost made it to the final). Looking beyond that though, she does have one dream in mind. “I would love to end up on the New York Times bestseller list,” she says.

Well, she has already received rave reviews from across the Atlantic and has featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. Time shall tell.

Fjällbacka From being unknown even to most Swedes, Fjällbacka quickly became a hot spot for holidaymakers and tourists. To use one’s hometown as a crime scene came naturally to Läckberg. “Things fell into place when I made up my mind to use Fjällbacka. I know how people talk

10 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Grabbing opportunities Eleven books in nine years (second children’s book coming in September) with three small children is what some would call overly ambitious, but for Läckberg, it is the result of doing something with lust, not must. She even claims she is a lazy

The Drowning is out now. www.harpercollins.co.uk

For more information, please visit: www.camillalackberg.com

A No.1 bestseller across Europe 10 million books sold worldwide Translated into 37 languages Don’t miss crime-writing sensation

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‘The hottest female writer in Sweden at the moment’ INDEPENDENT Read an extract from all the books at killerreads.com/thedrowning

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Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this...

Summer has officially arrived. Regardless of the weather forecast, it is time to light the barbeque and enjoy spending some time in the garden. This month we have equipped our homes with these great Scandi items.

By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

A super-modern barbeque in stainless steel (for charcoal)

by Eva Solo. £399. www.95percentshop.co.uk

This garden trolley by Röshults in clean architectural lines provides the perfect workspace and storage space for outdoor cooking. £745. www.finnishdesignshop.com

Pretty floral paper cups and plates for a cool picnic or garden party. Cups £3.50, Plates £ 4.75 (both pack of 12). www.mithus.co.uk

12 | Issue 41 | June 2012

The oil lamps by Menu are inspired by the lighthouses along the Scandinavian coast. A great garden accessory year round.

From £59.95. www.scandiliving.com

Seat pads in green and white stripes by Linum. A chic and comfortable accessory for garden chairs. £19. www.scandiliving.com

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary...

It is that time of the year again when it is not only appropriate but almost mandatory to start showing a bit more skin. Explore the new summer collections in store now, and enjoy wearing skirts and sandals again.

By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

This is the jacket of the season – super versatile and superbly elegant. £299. shop.bymalenebirger.com

You can never go wrong with a simple Breton stripe dress like this one by Ganni – simple and chic! £88. www.anthropologie.eu

The crochet knit top is still a summer darling. This one by Vila comes in three colours. £14. shop.bestseller.com

A gorgeous skirt by Rützou. Use with a simple tee and flats during the day and high heels for a cool evening look. £110. shop.rutzou.com

Über-stylish wedge sandals by Acne. £330. shop.acnestudios.com

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 13

1. Brian Frandsen’s 3D work with the Ege carpet company

Denmark is world famous in Milan For the world’s interior design set, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, aka the Milan Furniture Fair or even the Milan Design Week, is the place to see and be seen. This year, Denmark’s designers really made a great impact. Here is a snapshot personal tour of this enormous show, from an Anglo-Dane’s point of view.

Text and photos by Kim Dohm

1. The Kolding School of Design showcased six talented students in collaboration with six Danish companies in six containers. The image shown here is Brian Frandsen’s 3D work with the Ege carpet company.

2. The doors open for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile at the Rho Exhibition Centre. With over 280,000 people attending the show from 154 Countries, it really has become the furniture Olympics!

3. There was a lot of talking and negotiating going on at the Danish LIVINGroom organised by the Consulate General of Denmark, in Milan. Featuring companies like anne black, Bang & Olufsen, ferm LIVING, FRAMA and Louise Poulsen. www.danishlivingroom.com

14 | Issue 41 | June 2012

2. The Rho Exhibition Centre

3. The Danish LIVINGroom

4. Kvadrat put on a really wonderful exhibition celebrating Hallingdal 65, the fabric that was designed by Nanna Ditzel back in 1965. Since then it has become as famous for its durability as for its rich colour palette. Today, more than 45 years later, it remains one of Kvadrat’s best-selling products and has earned its place as a design classic. Their exhibition was at the Jil Sander Showroom in the heart of Milan. In a celebration of Hallingdal 65’s longevity, Kvadrat has invited a new generation of designers to create entirely new applications for the fabric.

5. With seven renowned curators, 32 talented designers and the one iconic textile.

Shown here is Nanna by Hjortefar curated

by Søren Rose. This portrait was created using 60 × 60 pixels, each pixel being a 5

Scan Magazine | Design | Danish Design

× 5 cm small padded foam piece on a base of MDF. The pieces have been padded by inmates of Vridsløselille State Prison, using 29 colours from the Hallingdal colour scale. http://hallingdal65.kvadrat.dk/hallingdal 6. The 50-year-old manufacturer Erik Jørgensen with their deep respect for solid craftsmanship showed some great new pieces as well as classics like the Corona chair, which was shown in five new colour combinations. The sprung steel frame has been lacquered in five exciting colours: black, white, orange, red and turquoise. www.corona-spectrum.dk 7. &tradition launched a new collaboration with the Spanish designer Jaime Hayón during Milan Design Week. The prototype chair was shown in the Ventura Lambrate area, which has proved itself as the key event and is where the world’s leading and most innovative designers exhibit their design. Hayón has previously designed for international brands such as B.d. Barcelona, Lladró, Established & Sons and Fritz Hansen, and has exhibited at museums all over the world, including London’s Design Museum. With help from this great new chair, &tradition’s ambition is to bridge tradition with new designs, new materials, and with new manufacturing techniques. &tradition’s products are designed by Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Jørn Utzon, Benjamin Hubert, Kai Linke, Sofie Refer, Victor Vetterlein, NORM.architects, Mia Hamborg, Pernille Vea, KiBiSi, Samuel Wilkinson and now Jaime Hayón. www.andtradition.com Also in collaboration with the design group KiBiSi, &tradition has developed a new shelving system, which was used by the Danish Design Centre over at “The Temporary Museum for New Design” to present the magazine “Danish Design 2012”. The magazine includes interviews and articles with Danish designers and companies that were exhibiting in Milan this year. It also adds perspective to the story of Danish design and highlights Danish creative potential; it provides a rich mix of articles and discussion, and co-creative platforms suggest ambitious

4. Kvadrat put on a really wonderful exhibition celebrating Hallingdal 65

5. Shown here is Nanna by Hjortefar

6. The Corona chair by Erik Jørgensen

7. The prototype chair by &tradition

8. Poul Henningsen’s Artichoke lamps

answers to some serious matters regarding our society today. You can download a free PDF copy of this magazine from en.ddc.dk/milan2012

lamps from 1958, worked very well being displayed alongside new, innovative and experimental furniture designs. It has to be said that Denmark certainly made an impression among all the rather “flash” Italian stands.

8. Over at the Danish LIVINGroom, the great masterpieces from the past, like Poul Henningsen’s impressive Artichoke

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 15

Scan Magazine | Design | Anne Sofie Madsen

A new class of supernova: Anne Sofie Madsen When a new star first appears in the night sky, our first instinct is to assign a classification. The urge for fashion arbiters to put new emerging designers into a box is no less compelling. Anne Sofie Madsen’s mesmerising debut collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS2012 saw the scintillating emergence of an immensely talented designer who ticked all the boxes for potential stardom, but fit into none.

By Ian Morales | Photos: Copenhagen Fashion Week®

The young Dane first captured the attention of the fashion industry with her Maori-themed graduation project from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Design showcased in Copenhagen in 2009. The project drew inspiration from Maori plaiting, relief carving and tattoos and displayed her equally outstanding talent as an illustrator. The following year she was invited to show at London Fashion Week's Vauxhall Fashion Scout Show.

Born in southern Denmark, Madsen describes herself as a late starter. “I guess I was around 20 years old. I had a boyfriend who was really into fashion. He wanted to be a fashion photographer. I wanted to make cartoons. I started to study fashion and later on he began to make animation and motion graphics. Life is strange,” she says.

Since graduating, Madsen has stayed true to her signature tribal costume-inspired

16 | Issue 41 | June 2012

look combined with stunning prints of her illustrations. Her two collections to date, SS2012 and AW2012, have drawn inspiration from the samurai (featured in the popular Japanese animated film Princess Mononoke) and an Inuit goddess of the sea. “I am really interested in warriors.

What is human strength? How to look dangerous? How to make your enemy fear you? I am fascinated by contrasts like barbaric and civilised,” she explains.

Despite being a newcomer, Madsen has wowed fashion critics with her extraordinary level of craftsmanship, sophisticated juxtaposition of fabrics, unique prints and subtle use of colour. Her return to London Fashion Week this February as one of Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s “Ones to Watch” saw her being compared to Alexander McQueen. This may not be as surprising as it seems. Her stints as a trainee at John Galliano in Paris and a junior designer at Alexander McQueen shine through in her “couture for the masses”.

When asked about her design philosophy, Madsen replies: “I want to show the unknown through the well-known.” She describes the Anne Sofie Madsen woman as strong, vulnerable, natural, wild and sensual. As for the future, Madsen prefers not to predict the next five years for the label and simply opines: “I hope time will tell.”

Anne Sofie Madsen For more information, please visit: www.annesofiemadsen.com

SP MA ECIA DE L T IN HE SW ME ED : EN

Made in Sweden The high quality of Swedish products and services is well recognised worldwide, making Sweden a very attractive country to do business with. And this is also where the Swedish Trade Council steps in to make it easier for Swedish companies to grow internationally.

tween the various supply systems in the modern city, which simultaneously provide both environmental and economic benefits if you link them together properly.

By The Swedish Trade Council | Photo: Cecilia Larsson/imagebank.sweden.se

Swedish healthcare is one of the highest ranked in the world and has many competitive advantages, which is why the interest in export and internationalization is now greater than ever. This entails business opportunities for Swedish companies wanting to establish themselves in foreign markets. SymbioCare - Health by Sweden is an initiative founded by the government and industry to promote Swedish healthcare internationally.

Founded in 1972, The Swedish Trade Council promotes Swedish exports on behalf of the Swedish industry and government. With offices in 60 countries, they work closely with trade associations, embassies, consulates and chambers of commerce around the world.

The council promotes Swedish knowledge and companies within strategic industries, such as Energy & Environmental Technology (SymbioCity), Health & Medicine (SymbioCare) and Food (Food from Sweden).

Exporting sustainable urban development, energy and environmental technology Swedish companies in the energy and environmental technology industry have great potential to succeed internationally.

The Swedish Trade Council therefore is carrying out several projects in order to make it easier for companies to start exporting or to increase their exports.

SymbioCity is a Swedish export concept for sustainable urban development and construction. The concept emphasizes the synergies and symbioses that exist be-

For more information, please visit: www.swedishtrade.se/english

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 17

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

Packaging solutions that protect what’s good Tetra Pak’s founder Ruben Rausing coined the expression “a package should save more than it costs” 60 years ago, and while he was talking about efficiency and logistic principles, today this can also be seen as an environmental statement. Tetra Pak, the world’s leading food packaging and processing solutions company of Swedish origin, is all about protecting what is good, from the product itself to the environment.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Tetra Pak

Founded in 1952, Tetra Pak created a new packaging system for milk that would use minimum material and also provide maximum hygiene. Today, food safety is still high on the agenda, and a Tetra Pak package anywhere in the world will offer consumers the same integrity. Tetra Pak is known for creating attractive carton packaging with consumer convenience, easy opening and optimal shelf life in mind while at the same time keeping to their sustainability commitment.

“From the very beginning the company has looked to eradicate inefficiency – both

18 | Issue 41 | June 2012

in its production and in its products,” explains Environment Director Erik Lindroth.

“The environmental perspective is integrated at all levels in the company, in how we develop, produce and sell our products. It is therefore a key part of how we build competitiveness.”

environmental impact, and to do so they have to work with every step of the life cycle. Lindroth poses three questions that are crucial to their efforts: 1) What raw materials are being used?

2) What is the impact over the product’s entire life?

3) What happens to the packages after use?

Environment Director Erik Lindroth

“Good environment performance is good business” Erik Lindroth stresses the strong link between environmental performance and business performance, and this is also one of Tetra Pak’s key messages to its customers. Tetra Pak strives to minimise

“Not one of these points is more important than the other; they’re all interlinked,” he clarifies. Accordingly, making responsible choices all the way from

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

the raw material to the recycling process creates environmental savings. Customers benefit from packaging with a high share of renewable materials, strong life cycle profile and good recycling performance. And beyond packaging, food processing and filling equipment that offer low water and electricity consumption – thereby contributing to cost efficiency and environmental efficiency at the same time.

Demand for environmentally strong products While consumers today are becoming more aware of the impact their shopping has on the environment, Lindroth believes that this is the direction society in general

is heading. However, whether consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally sound products is open to debate.

ket, and we are excited about the opportunities that this creates,” says Lindroth.

Goal for 2020

“Clearly, there are specific consumer segments with environmentally conscious purchase behaviour. For them it’s about value, not just the cost, and around 30-40 per cent of Swedish consumers are clearly putting a priority on the environmental performance of products.”

However, what most consumers have in common is that they expect industry to take responsibility and offer products with good environmental performance, thereby making it easy for them to choose. “To me, this is an open invitation from the mar-

Among Tetra Pak’s ambitions for 2020, according to their 10-year strategy, is to double recycling rates globally, cap climate impact across the value chain despite strong forecasted business growth, and to offer fully renewable packages. According to Lindroth, it is all about customer competitiveness. “In the end, the products we sell become part of our customers’ performance. We need to deliver competitive solutions that offer outstanding environmental performance today, and even more so in the future.”

Facts about Tetra Pak • Founded: 7 September 1952 • Countries where Tetra Pak packages are available: >170 • Number of employees: 22,896 • Number of Tetra Pak packages sold in 2011 (million): 167,002 • Net sales in 2011 in P million: 10,360

For more information, please visit: www.tetrapak.com

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 19

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

Materials you encounter every day:

Polykemi from the land of Wallander – a world-class compounder Every day you encounter objects originating from Polykemi. The compound manufacturer has grown into an internationally renowned supplier of plastics since its birth in 1968 in the picturesque Ystad, the town of cross timber houses, in the Swedish county Skåne. Ystad is also home to the now world-famous policeman Kurt Wallander, played in the BBC films by acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: PAX Sjöholm

Branagh may be highly celebrated, but the material produced by Polykemi is spreading across the globe just as quickly as Branagh’s Inspector Wallander. Producing raw materials for car interior parts, mobile phones, home appliances, gardening tools, furniture, and many more items used daily throughout the world, Polykemi is simply the Swedish family-

20 | Issue 41 | June 2012

run business that has grown into a worldclass compounder.

Supplying raw materials to world-famous brands Imagine a family business increasing its revenue from around 500 million SEK to almost 1 billion SEK in less than five years. Then look at the wide range of

brands amongst Polykemi’s end customers, and you will understand how it happened – or how about Volvo, Scania, BMW, IKEA, Skoda, Kia, Ford, Porsche, Electrolux, Husqvarna and Bosch Siemens? These are only a few of the world-famous end customers for whom Polykemi produces raw materials.

Ola Hugoson and Lars Hugosson are the owners of the company and president and vice president respectively, and it was their father, Hugo Jönsson, who founded the business in 1968. “Ever since the business was founded in the spring of 1968, the business idea has remained the same: to manufacture customized plastic com-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

pounds and to strive to do so better than any other business in the world,” says Ola. “Initially, Scandinavia was our target market, but we now exist all over Europe and in many other locations globally.”

Always one step ahead “We’ve never had, and never will have, an ambition to become the world’s largest multinational manufacturer of plastic compounds,” his brother Lars adds. “Instead, our strength is in constantly being one step ahead and able to offer a customized range of products with solutions that are so unique and creative that it becomes difficult to compete with us.”

“A key part is our proven expertise in colour-matching, multiple reinforcements and fibres in a wide variety of polymers, and our explicit ambition to work closely with our customers to make reliability, world-class competency, problem-solving skills and close personal contacts our guiding principles,” says Ola. He goes on to explain why Polykemi succeeded in becoming a world-class compounder: “We are convinced that 70 per cent of the development is driven by our employees and the power of our dedicated staff. The rest is all about technology.”

“Finally,” Ola Hugoson concludes, “we are guided by a very clear motto: if you stop

About Polykemi Group

Polykemi subsidiaries

A family-owned business with around 250 employees, Polykemi develops technical plastic raw materials of high quality. The head office in Ystad in Sweden houses all the overall functions such as sales, technical support, purchasing, administrative support, and research and development. The business had a turnover of approximately 915 million SEK in 2011, giving a gross profit of 55 million SEK.

Polykemi China: In Kunshan, China, there has been since 2005 an independent subsidiary for sales, purchasing and production.

To learn more about Polykemi and watch a short film, go to www.polykemi.se.

Rondo Plast Ltd: Rondo Plast Ltd in Ystad is a recycling company with great potential. Its overall mission is to offer a quality-assured, recycled plastic raw material. The business was set up in 1980 and has since acquired highly qualified skills and experience in regards to the recycling of plastic.

Scanfill Ltd: Scanfill Ltd was founded in Ystad in 2008 and offers the packaging industry environmentally friendly plastic raw material. The unique Scanfill materials consist of 50 per cent chalk and 50 per cent polyolefin plastic.

Polykemi has its own sales businesses in Denmark, Germany and the Czech Republic and is represented by agents in most parts of the world.

getting better, you stop being good. We are constantly working to develop and improve. We want to remain a reliable supplier of plastic compounds to clients all over the world.”

Left: Ystad is home to the world-famous policeman Kurt Wallander, played in the BBC films by acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

For more information, please visit: www.polykemi.se

Left: Owners Ola Hugoson (president) and Lars Hugosson (vice president). Middle top: Polykemi regularly receives attention from all over the world. Below and right: Production at the factory.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 21

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

Left: Envac’s waste management solutions.

aim of increasing recycling rates and contributing to a more sustainable environment. The results were astonishing: the council’s recycling levels have increased by 50 per cent, which is twice that of the London average, and waste management related transport has been cut by 90 per cent.

The solution is an intricate system of 2,500 metres of pipework and a vacuum driven process, all linked to the one waste collection station servicing the entire area.

Thanks to international acclaim and a handful of awards received, the world is watching as the project extends to also include the area’s new Civic Centre in 2013.

Success does not even come close to describing it; this is ground-breaking in the most fundamental meaning of the word. first ever vacuum system was inClean, odour-free spaces with award- The stalled in 1961, and the systems are now found all over the world, with the Swedish winning waste management solutions company having grown to include 36 ofMost people probably never really think much about the waste management of their place of work or residential area, but we all want to live in a clean, energy-efficient environment. That is why Envac has set out to provide rational and sustainable waste collection systems and services, aiming to reduce the negative consequences of waste handling. Forget overflowing bins, odours and littered streets; if Envac gets its way, underground waste collection systems are paving the way for the future.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Envac

It has been four years since the groundbreaking underground waste vacuum management system in London’s Wembley City was completed. As part of a flag-

ship regeneration project, Quintain Estates & Developments commissioned Envac to design and implement a 21st century waste management solution with the

fices in 20 countries globally, making it the global market leader in sustainable waste management solutions. Providing stationary as well as mobile vacuum systems in addition to litter bin systems and kitchen waste solutions, Envac has an environmental policy that puts other businesses to shame. It seems the expression ‘to clean up’ just got a whole new meaning.

For more information, please visit: www.envacuk.co.uk and www.envac.se

Underground waste collection systems are paving the way for the future.

22 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Two countries, one destination…

…Malmö Arena!

Öresund Bridge: the link between Malmö and Copenhagen.

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

HTC 650 E grinding a concrete floor

Shiny, eco-friendly floors – it’s all about diamonds If it is good enough for Asda, Walmart, Tesco and Harrods, to name a few, chances are you do not want to miss out. Promises of saving you money and drastically minimising your carbon footprint will most likely have you happily queuing for days to get your hands on this industry miracle, but the HTC Twister is only one of many groundbreaking inventions courtesy of HTC Professional Floor Systems, and the Twister, as chief information officer Karl Thysell reveals, was merely discovered by a really lucky coincidence.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: HTC Sweden AB

It all started in 1992 with four employees and a desire to develop quality floor grinding and polishing equipment, with a focus on natural stone as the primary base material. It was not until the focus shifted to diamonds that things really started taking off. “It’s all about the diamonds,” Thysell laughs. “Suddenly polishing reached a whole new level, and the opportunities lined up ahead of us.”

24 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Now with 175 employees and a global presence, HTC Professional Floor Systems has changed the industry in a fundamental way. In addition to revolutionising the cleaning and polishing market, the company has provided world-leading technology for floor preparation and floor renovation, and has made the concept of polished concrete into a reality with their HTC Superfloor method.

HTC Superfloor™

Of the Superfloor product, Thysell says: “It’s crazy what you can do. It sounds silly, but the number of blue chip clients that we’ve made speechless at the sheer sight of HTC Superfloor is just insane!” And, naturally, if all it takes to transform a boring concrete floor surface into something beautiful is some polishing, with the added benefit of making it efficient in regard to both the ecosystem and the accounts, speechlessness seems like the natural reaction.

Just add water Once the benefits of diamonds had been discovered, it did not take long for the concept of the Twister to be born. With the diamond polishing system having a coarseness ranging from 6 grit to 3,000 grit, it soon became clear that the tool not only transformed concrete floors into stunning surfaces, but also worked a treat for daily cleaning and polishing on all types of floor surfaces – and best of all: all you add is water!

“The cleaning industry has always been about different types of chemicals,” says

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

Thysell. “So imagine the look on people’s faces when we tell them that they don’t need chemicals anymore – not a drop of it.

Most people don’t believe us.” The results are astounding: cost-effective, environmentally friendly, user-friendly, and of the highest possible quality.

Things that sound too good to be true normally are, but the HTC Twister appears to be the exception that proves the rule: an impressive 15 million square metres of flooring are currently being cleaned and polished using the Twister every day.

“Having nice-looking floors is suddenly a competitive advantage. It massively improves the shopping experience – no one stays in a shop with dirty floors,” says Thysell. “Market research shows that 70% of shoppers consider the cleanliness of floors really important.”

There is something other than old habits The secret behind the success of HTC Professional Floor Systems is in its constant urge to explore new ideas and conquer new ground. In fact, Thysell explains that the business has so many groundbreaking product solutions in its portfolio that it has no choice but to prioritise and select the very best few. A theme that runs through the entire operation is the belief that there is something other than old habits, so things can always improve.

A HTC 420 grinding a wooden floor at HTC's premises in Söderköping, Sweden.

Wood grinding action during the Partner Meet

“

Imagine the look on people’s faces when we tell them that they don’t need chemicals anymore – not a drop of it. Most people don’t believe us.

”

As such, 2004 saw the founding of the HTC Academy, a training and education facility where prospective clients and recent buyers get to learn all the tricks of the trade, as well as best practice in regard to applying HTC’s products. Up to 60 people can be trained at a time, and, just like all the other aspects of the business, the sky is the limit: “Send us staff from all levels: from the general cleaning staff who work for the local council or a handful of power-dressed business executives – we’ll show them how it’s done!”

A diamond is forever, goes the famous De Beers jewellery slogan. They might agree over at HTC, but their motto is a good bit more excitable than that: diamonds – it’s brilliant!

The new HTC Academy centre, opened in June 2009, Söderköping, Sweden

Twister™ pads

For more information, please visit: www.htc-floorsystems.com

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 25

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

The Åberg Museum – the world’s only art, cartoon and toy museum with its own jungle! roring typical Swedish life, always playing the iconic character Stig-Helmer Olsson: a quiet, tall spinster with a big heart. He is also an artist with a love for Disney, especially Mickey Mouse, featured in his many lithographs.

The Åberg Museum is a fun and inspiring art destination for both grownups and children.

Situated only 40 minutes outside Stockholm in a redeveloped barn, there is no excuse not to include a trip into the world of the most popular cartoon artists during your next trip to Stockholm.

Impressive cartoon collection

Lasse Åberg, the founder of the museum, is one of Sweden’s most popular actors, film directors, musicians and artists. Having become famous for his kid’s character Trazan in Trazan & Banarne, he is perhaps most well known for his comedy Sällskapsresan and sequels, mir-

The Åberg Museum has an impressive collection of cartoon-inspired art by Warhol, Lichtenstein and Picasso, to name a few. It also hosts cartoon originals such as works by Carl Barks (the Disney illustrator) and Burne Hogarth, who is the most famous Tarzan comic artist.

The world’s best Disney Collection What is unique about the museum is its permanent exhibition “Yellow Kid”, considered the world’s first cartoon. And make sure you do not miss one of the world’s best Disney Collections with items mainly from the 1930s.

Jungle adventure playground For the kids, the top favourite tends to be the three-storey jungle-like adventure, the Trazan hut, and outside, there are very nice surroundings with a big playground. For children of all ages, there is the shop, of course, and the restaurant with homemade food and cakes.

Guided tours Guided tours are available in English if you book in advance, and you can have your business conference or company event with a StigHelmer theme, a group dinner or host a kid’s party. The museum provides everything; all parents have to do is keep their eyes on the children. Welcome!

By Linnéa Mitchell Photos: The Åberg Museum

For more information, please visit: www.abersmuseum.se

Lasse Åberg

Event organiser for locals and visitors of all ages Luleå Expo is an event and fair organiser with deep local roots and a knack for everything from trade fairs to parties. But that is not all: Luleå Expo is also the organisation that was approached by the local council to put on the city’s first festival, Luleåkalaset, as a result of a local citizen survey that cried out for a party of its own.

Now facing its 10-year anniversary, the fourday family fest promises to delve in internationally renowned nostalgia with impressive headline acts like 10cc and Bonnie Tyler, alongside the very best of Swedish songwriters, including Lisa Miskovsky and Kapten Röd. For the less musically-excitable, there will also be frisbee golf, a climbing competition, an exhibition of local graffiti artists and much more.

A festival for people of all ages, Luleåkalaset takes the nostalgia theme further with the seniors’ party, a vintage car event for the older generation inspired by the annual secondary school graduation day procession of old automobile gems. “It’s nostalgia taken to the extreme,” says project manager Leif Renholm. ”The older people go absolutely crazy for it!”

26 | Issue 41 | June 2012

With the only open-water competition in the world that allows its participants to swim through the night in full daylight, Luleå Midnight Swim, coming up just after the midsummer celebrations, and a brand new element being added to Luleå Expo Höst in October, Luleå Expo sure has plenty of opportunities to showcase its event management expertise.

While 11- to 15-year-old talent takes to the stage during Kalastalang at Luleåkalaset, Livets Guldkant, the new addition to the annual autumn crafts fair, aims to help and inspire a modern, active pensioner. “Things have changed,” says CEO Margit Eklund. “Let’s just say the next generation of pensioners will expect a lot more from life than those who retired even just a decade ago. That’s what Luleå Expo Höst is all about.”

Bonnie Tyler

10cc

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Luleå Expo

For more information, please visit: www.luleaexpo.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

Traditional Swedish crispbread with an Egyptian twist In the heart of Dalarna lies the Pyramidbröd bakery where open-hearth ovens still fire up the production. Founder Emad Bayoumy, who was born into an Egyptian family of bakers, started it in 1991 using sourdough that he had brought over from his home country. Today the bakery proudly mixes Swedish farming culture with ancient Egyptian recipes.

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Pyramidbageriet AB

”Wood-oven baked temptations are what we are about,” says Pyramidbakery’s MD, Fred Henriksson. “No electricity whatsoever is used during the baking process.”

baking, and the heat they emit is then used to further bake the breadcakes as they are hung to dry. It is this final process that gives the bread its unique taste.

Every step of the production has been carefully planned and constructed by Emad Bayoumy. An environmentally friendly baking process teamed with the goodness of the bread itself makes this product a must have. Wood-fired ovens do the

The healthy crispbread is a staple in any Swedish home, and Pyramidbröd offers various types, including the traditional Spisknäcke and Spelt Dinkel, in two different sizes. Every single piece of bread is inspected by hand before it is packed. It

is easily recognised in its brown paper packet. Pyramidbröd has won acclaim from the Swedish Gastronomic Academy and the Sandahl Foundation.

As well as the round crispbreads, Pyramidbageriet offers a range called Bayoumy Gourmet, with flavours from Emad Bayoumy’s hometown of Batanun in Egypt.

Any Swede worth their salt has crispbread on the table. For expats and other enthusiasts, Pyramidbröd is available throughout Scandinavia, England and Germany.

For a closer look, visit the bakery shop in Hulån, Dala-Järna.

For more information, please visit: www.pyramidbrod.se

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 27

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Sweden

Left: Malmömässan (Photo: Julien Bourgeois) and right: Kistamässan (Photo: Gomer)

The value of a face-to-face meeting It is easy to think that the new technology and the explosion of social networks have made people less likely to want to meet in person. “Not at all,” says Bosse Magnusson, chief operations officer (COO) at Artexis Nordic, a fair organizer and venue manager of two of the main exhibition halls in Sweden. According to Magnusson, people are showing more and more interest in face-to-face meetings. Artexis wants to help facilitate those meetings.

By Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt

Since the start of 2012, the Belgian owned company Artexis has run Malmömässan and Kistamässan (outside Stockholm). Gothenburg is next. “With these three places we are covering the most important business regions in Sweden, enabling tailored conferences, trade fairs and meetings for a range of different industries and topics,” Magnusson says. “It is a good start.”

Personal meetings Artexis wants to provide people with the right venues and the right themes for personal meetings.

“When people take a day or two

28 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Bosse Magnusson

out of their busy lives to visit our fairs, it means that we have succeeded in providing them with something that they truly feel will enrich them in one way or another,” Magnusson says. “Many live under the misconception that with the Internet people are less interested in meetings like this.

But we are seeing quite the opposite. Whether it is commercial or knowledge sharing meetings, people are keener than ever before to meet and learn from each other. We facilitate that by enabling company events, trade fairs and

conferences.” The themes can vary from bakery to computer games.

Bringing visions and ideas to life The first place that Artexis started running was the Malmö fair, perfectly located only 15 minutes from Copenhagen. The exhibition hall in Kista came next. “Our mission is to create a meeting place that brings visions and ideas to life,” Magnusson says. A recent example is the conference SETT (Scandinavian Educational Technology Transformation) focusing on how schools should use digital technology in education. It is a very hot topic at the moment and quite challenging for many teachers. The response exceeded Magnusson’s expectations. “We were expecting 2,500 visitors, but more than 5,000 turned up. And we are already planning for the 2013 SETT fair.”

For more information, please visit: www.artexis.se

FOR AN ACTIVE STAY STA IN SWEDEN Gripsholmsviken offers severall possibilities for an active holidayy in beautiful surroundings. Take a jog in the Royal Deeer park, rentt our Bianchi sports bikes and take a ride on windinng roads or play golf at the Gripsholm golf course, jjust a few minutes walk from the hottel. In the eevenings you’ll enjoy a fine meal in oour restauraant before having a good night’s sleep in our newlly renovated hotel.

For further information, please call +46 15936700 or sendd an e-mail info@gripsholmsvikenn.se or visit our website: www.gripshoolmsviken.se

: ME E TH EN L L A CI RDA E SP ÄLA M

Be spoilt for choice in Mälardalen Mälardalen (the Mälaren Valley) is also known as the Stockholm-Mälaren Region and consists of five Swedish counties: Södermanland, Uppland, Västmanland, Närke and Östergötland. The area is known for its characteristic red cottages, impressive manor houses, and beautiful shorelines along Lake Mälaren.

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Mark Harris/imagebank.sweden.se

Nynäshamn, on the other hand, is only half an hour’s drive from Stockholm and is currently preparing for the Jubileumsregattan 2012, an Olympic jubilee sailing event taking place in the summer.

The port town is building Scandinavia’s largest pier for the event. You can also

30 | Issue 41 | June 2012

enjoy a game of golf at the familyfriendly and personable Nynäshamns Golf Club.

Right next to Lake Mälaren, you will find Skytteholm mansion, a stunning location perfect for both romantic weekends and conferences.

Within a two-hour drive from Stockholm, you can get a taste of culture and design at Reijmyre Glasbruk, the oldest glass factory in Sweden. Set at the very heart of Reijmyre in Östergötland, the factory keeps the cultural heritage of the glass mouth- and hand-blowing tradition alive.

Photo: Conny Fridh/imagebank.sweden.se

Örebro, which is located 200 kilometres from Stockholm, is an up-and-coming city in Sweden and boasts an impressive 13th century castle. It won the award for Sweden’s best student city and is also known as the European Capital of Sign Language. Home to 220 kilometres of bicycle paths, the area has a lot to offer for nature enthusiasts.

For another dose of culture and plenty of history, make sure to visit Sweden’s most accessible cultural centre, Karlsgatan 2, which incorporates the Västmanland County Museum and the Västerås Museum of Art.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Mälardalen

For the ultimate golfing experience Ideally situated just 30 minutes from central Stockholm in Mälardalen, Nynäshamns Golf Club provides the perfect setting for any golf enthusiast. The club boasts 27 holes covering three different courses: sea, mountain and valley, in a complete facility.

“It is very easily accessible,” says club manager Ingela Tisén, “and just far enough away from the city.”

meal at an award-winning restaurant and grab a drink after the end of a successful golfing day.

Good service is paramount at Nynäshamns Golf Club. There is a real commitment to the customers, members as well as beginners. The aim is to make everyone’s visit as personable as can be and to ensure that guests feel very well taken care of. The club is extremely family friendly and welcomes children of all ages.

Perfect your swing in the ‘Swing Studio’ or take a peek in the golf shop for a new set of professional clubs. This is where the Nordea Tour is played each year, and you have the chance to walk the same course.

Take advantage of the beautiful natural setting, amidst the water, woodlands and park life.

A four-star hotel, Körunda Golf & Konferenshotell, is situated right on the course.

Make a golf weekend of it or visit for a conference. No matter your preference, there will be something sure to satisfy.

Chill out in the relaxation areas, enjoy a

By Ulrika Osterlund Photos: Nynäshamns Golf Club

For more information, please visit: www.nynashamnsgk.a.se www.korunda.se

The Jubilee regatta in Nynäshamn

activities, hands-on sports, exhibitions as well as a large music festival featuring several Swedish artists, such as Amanda Jenssen,” explains project manager Nina Munters of the Nynäshamn Council.

At the same time, there will be an “Olympic day”, spanning five days, which will include a number of taster activities for young people. The Olympic day is organized in cooperation with the Olympic Committee (SOC), and several Swedish Olympians will be on site.

“We are hoping to inspire and challenge children and young people to get involved in sports and spread the Olympic values and somehow awake Olympic dreams,” explains Nina Munters.

Scandinavia's largest pier is currently being built in the harbour of Nynäshamn.

Photo: Heidi Ekberg

Situated in a picturesque archipelago, Nynäshamn is a stunning location to visit.

This Baltic port has almost two thousand islets and a coastline stretching over 1,000 kilometres, and its ferry terminal offers regular passage to Gotland, Poland and nearby islands.

During 17 days this summer, sailing races in seven different classes will be held, including both past and present Olympic classes, attracting 600 competitors from all over the world. There will also be a classic boat meet.

“The harbour will be visited by hundreds of classic boats, including some that attended the races in 1912. They moor in the harbour for public view and will participate in the show competitions and parades. There will also be various cultural

Photo: Jan Klingeborn

Nynäshamn is a pearl just half an hour’s drive from Stockholm. The town is currently preparing for an eventful summer including Jubileumsregattan 2012, a jubilee sailing event taking place between 20 July and 5 August. This will commemorate the Olympics of 1912 and will attract up to 50,000 visitors.

This impressive and almost 400-metrelong pier will be ready just in time for the anniversary.

By Emelie Krugly Hill

For more information, please visit: www.jubileumsregattan.se and www.visitnynashamn.se

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 31

Örebro Castle

Örebro guarantees a lasting impression Örebro is one of the most up-and-coming cities in Sweden; here you will find an entrepreneurial spirit and a down-to-earth approach to life, making it a very attractive area in which to settle down. Discover a corner of Sweden that has a whole world of experiences to offer and guarantees a lasting impression.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Örebrokompaniet

The actual town of Örebro is more than 700 years old, with an impressive castle at the heart of the city built during the 13th century. Örebro is situated in central Sweden, 200 kilometres from Stockholm and 300 kilometres from Gothenburg. There are approximately 137,000 people living in the municipality, making it the seventh largest in the country. In recent years, it has become a very popular area with the population growing steadily. In 2011, the number of residents increased by 1,661, the population hailing from all corners of

32 | Issue 41 | June 2012

the world, in fact 150 different countries are represented here. In Örebro, you will find everything a big city offers, but the difference is everything is happening around the corner. There are more than 12,000 registered companies in the area and a strong entrepreneurial spirit in the town of Örebro.

“Naturally, there are many reasons why Örebro is a great place to live,” says Sofia Strömberg, CEO of Örebrokompaniet, which coordinates the marketing of Öre-

bro. ”Our city offers recreation, culture, entertainment and shopping just around the corner.” Örebro has won numerous awards and titles, recently it was appointed Sweden's best sports city due to its successful men and women's football teams, as well as top-level teams in basketball, volleyball and ice hockey, among others.

“We are also proud to have won the award for Sweden's best student city. The university is one of the fastest growing in Sweden and has approximately 17,000 students and 1,200 employees. It is a world leader in robotics research, and offers education as well as research in humanities, law, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, nursing, medicine,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Mälardalen

teaching, music and sports,” says Strömberg. Örebro is also known as the European Capital of Sign Language and supports research in hearing and deafness. More than 1,500 people are using the services of the Centre of Interpretation in Tolkcentralen. It is also the only city in Sweden to host all forms of education, ranging from preschool to a national upper secondary school and university. Access to all these facilities has meant that many families have moved to the area for these benefits. Örebro is also a popular venue for meetings and conferences and competes with the big cities Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. “The Conventum centre is one of Sweden's premier meeting facilities, and we are proud to host, for instance, Microsoft Tech Days and the Moderaterna (the Moderate Party) national conference.” Örebro has also been appointed one of Sweden's finest outdoor communities. “An interesting fact is that there is an average of 98 square metres of park for each resident in Örebro,” Sofia Strömberg says.

There are many areas and inspiring natural habitats to experience, including the Oset and Rynninge Bay nature reserves; Tysslingen and Kvismaren are excellent areas for bird watching, and Kilsbergen features stunning forests, lakes, and skiing and hiking trails. In Örebro, there are approximately 220 kilometres of bike paths.

Every second year, the country’s biggest summer art event OpenART takes place in Örebro. Above: Stor Gul Kanin (The Big Yellow Rabbit) by Florentijn Hofman.

newspapers; it’s been described as a oneof-a-kind visual and sensory explosive experience,” explains Strömberg.

Every second year, from June to September, the country’s biggest summer art event OpenART takes place, featuring 50 artists from around the world. For 100 days during the summer, temporary outdoor artworks are showcased within and around the town. This exciting street art

exhibition has put Örebro on the cultural map both nationally and internationally.

Sweden's largest outdoor Christmas Concert and sing-along show O, Helga Natt also attracts around 25,000 people to sing together at the main town square during early December each year. So far around 275,000 people have experienced the show live, as well as approximately three million TV viewers.

For more information, please visit: www.orebrotown.com

“Örebro is the first city in Sweden to introduce this concept, and Visukalen has received excellent reviews in national

Photo: Therese Andersson

When it comes to cultural attractions, Örebro also has a lot to offer and is the home of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1995; its home stage is at the Örebro Concert Hall. The orchestra tours nationally as well as internationally. Currently, a new form of musical theatre is taking place in Örebro called FAME Visukalen, where sign language meets speech and music in a unique adaption of the popular musical Fame.

Top: The Conventum centre is one of Sweden's premier meeting facilities (Photo: Fredrik Kellen). Below: Örebro is home to the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Mälardalen

Karlsgatan 2

tural heritage, raise public awareness, increase understanding of the past, and enrich perspectives on the present and future. In June, a new exhibition called ‘Shake this town’ opens; it is all about the Swedish rockabilly culture,” says communications manager Lina Gatte Redin.

The Art Museum mainly exhibits Swedish art from its own permanent collections as well as temporary exhibitions focusing on contemporary art by Swedish artists. Coming soon is a Bror Hjorth (1894-1968) exhibition; he is one of Sweden's most famous sculptors and painters.

Later this autumn, during November, the Art Museum will be proud to present the Swedish Designer Lars Wallin in an exhibition entitled ‘Fashion Stories’.

Karlsgatan 2 has a well-stocked shop, café and a library, as well as an auditorium for lectures, conferences and various events; and admission is free.

– Two museums, one house Västmanland County Museum and the Västerås Museum of Art created a new arts and cultural scene in Sweden when they opened the doors to their new premises in September 2010. It has become known as Sweden’s most accessible cultural centre, which has been designed to be functional and has facilities for everyone.

The museums form a new arena for the arts and heritage in the county of Västmanland, offering exhibitions all under one roof, conducting a broad range of operations with a particular focus on education and cultural heritage, and welcoming no less than 172,000 visitors last year.

“Our mission at the County Museum is to increase knowledge of the Västmanland cul-

Photo: Bertil Lindgren

Situated in an industrial building, characterized by red brick and large original windows, it bears influences from early industrial architecture hailing from America and Germany, and was designed by city architect Eric Hahr. The building was constructed between 1911 and 1915 and has become a cultural, symbolic building, where ASEA’s (General Swedish Electric Company) had its early operations.

By Emelie Krugly Hill Photos: Västmanland County Museum & the Västerås Museum of Art

For more information, please visit: www.vastmanlandslansmuseum.se www.vasteraskonstmuseum.se

Indulge yourself in a mansion weekend Skytteholm mansion is set in breathtaking surroundings. Whether you are planning a romantic weekend, a yearly conference, a golf trip or a weekend of gourmet meals in a mansion dating back to 1623, Skytteholm provides solace for the soul.

By Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt | Photos: Skytteholm

Skytteholm mansion is situated right next to the Lake Mälaren, providing an outdoor scene unlike anything else. Whether you are attending a conference or sneaking off for a romantic weekend, you are in for a treat that will get you through everyday life for a long time.

Guests choose to stay put “Many of our guests intend to visit Stockholm during their stay. However, more often than not, once here, they prefer to stay and enjoy everything that Skytteholm has to offer,” says Lotta Ahlin, site manager.

Skytteholm has the capacity to host conferences for up to 130 people, as well as to

34 | Issue 41 | June 2012

give personal service to smaller groups and couples. “Being so close to the lake, our guests like to go fishing, swim in the lake or enjoy a sauna right next to the water. Many also take advantage of the excellent Mälarö 27-hole golf course next door. And we offer a range of activities such as hunting, and wine and chocolate tastings,” Ahlin tells us.

Romance in fantastic surroundings The surroundings are truly beautiful and romantic. “We have weddings every weekend in the summer,” Ahlin says. Her own favourite spot is the dock. “Just sitting there with a blanket looking out is beautiful.”

For more information, please visit: www.skytteholm.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Mälardalen

Above left: Fiore glasses designed by Margareta Hennix. Right: Christening gift to Princess Estelle, designed by Margareta Hennix.

Mouth-blown glass for 200 years and counting The idea was that Ulf Ericsson would retire, having worked as CEO of several listed Swedish companies like the porcelain, glassware and cutlery group Upsala-Ekeby and computer businesses Datatronic and Victor Technologies. But then he was asked to take on the revival of the old glass factory in Reijmyre, and over one decade later, he is still active as the main owner and chairman of the board of the second oldest glass factory that is still in use in Sweden.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Reijmyre Glasbruk

You may have come across the limited edition pinstripe Absolut bottles, and if you have dined at Stockholm’s renowned Operakällaren, you have eaten off plates and drunk out of glasses designed especially for them. Both designs, as well as the famous Rubin glass by Monica Bratt, belong to the award-winning contemporary part of the over 200-year-old Reijmyre tradition.

Having been one of the main attractions of Sweden’s Östergötland alongside Kolmården wildlife park, Reijmyre saw its number of visitors decline back in the 1980s, with the devastating fire at the local inn

becoming the nail in the coffin. But together with the county board and Finspång local council, Ericsson has managed to turn things around, with new production facilities and an outstanding restaurant in a restored building from the early 1900s.

Of the nearby glass factories in Småland, he says: “If they’re the belly, we’re the head, only a two-hour drive from Stockholm. And this is a more intimate experience: you get right into the heat and can see exactly what glass blowing is like.” In addition, a museum demonstrates the entire production process from start to fin-

ish, and the big, modern factory shop overlooks the production in action.

With award-winning glassware by designers like Margareta Hennix and Richard Juhlin, Reijmyre Glasbruk is still very much a vibrant stronghold of the mouthand hand-blowing glass making tradition.

Having celebrated its 200th birthday in 2010 and won a coveted Hagdahlsakademien award this year, it seems the glory days are far from over.

The now 25 permanent employees may sound modest compared to the crowd of 350 at the turn of the century, but that is still a 25% increase since the lowest point. “The factory is at the very heart of the village and always open to visitors. Reijmyre keeps the cultural heritage of the mouth- and handblowing tradition alive,” says Ericsson.

For more information, please visit: www.reijmyre.se

Left: Production of a serving plate, designed by Monica Bratt, and below: the finished plate

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 35

: ME AY E TH RW L A I NO EC IN P S IGN S DE

20 young talents through 20 years. Exhibition by the Norwegian Design Council, 2011.

Photo: Kristian Paulsen

Norwegian creations within various disciplines.

Design has, however, still played a strong part in Norway’s history and the everyday lives of its populace for many years, meaning that innovative design is not necessarily a new development, but rather it has now finally found its audience as well as a new crop of designers that are able to break out across its borders.

Design in Norway While Norwegian design has not always made a strong impact, and its reputation had until recently not reached that many corners of the world, today the outlook is very different. Norwegian design has garnered a lot of attention for being exciting, fresh and innovative.

The Norwegian Design Council, which was set up in 1963, helps promote Norwegian design to businesses as a tool to improve competitiveness. While the design industry in Norway is somewhat small, it is still actively promoted with the help of the council.

The council, together with Innovation Norway, encourages Norwegian industry to use professional design when developing their products. According to Gunn Ovesen, Managing Director of Innovation Norway, “Employing design as a business tool fills customers with enthusiasm, distinguishes manufacturers from their competitors and helps improve companies’ profitability.”

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Norwegian Design Council

This sudden interest for everything Norwegian has of course a lot to do with emerging new talents that were able to

captivate the attention of design aficionados. Accordingly, these new design stars were able to enhance the appeal of

Every year, the Norwegian Design Council acknowledges the very best innovative solutions, created by companies and designers, with its annual Award for Design Excellence. Among these, the jury also chooses projects for the Honours Award for Design Excellence. Aspiring designers are also acknowledged through the Young Talent Award. Furthermore, the Norwegian Design Council has the role of coordinating the process for the Innovation Award for Universal Design.

Please read on to discover a selection of design companies in Norway that Scan Magazine wants to highlight.

For more information, please visit: www.norskdesign.no The 2011 finalists for the Innovation Award

36 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Left: Fjord Line corporate and ship identity. (Photo: Fjord Line) Right top: A range of the organic series Go Eco. Below: Brand identity for Hennig-Olsen’s premium ice cream Crème

Become a winner with advice from BrandHouse As one of Norway’s leading agencies within graphic design, strategy and branding, BrandHouse is behind well-known brands such as TINE, Hennig-Olsen Is, Color Line and Fjord Line. With extensive experience and knowledge of the market, BrandHouse creates strong identities and winner brands.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: BrandHouse

BrandHouse offers expertise in packaging design, corporate identity development, brand name creation and strategic advisory. “In order to create strong concepts and winning brands, you need to combine strategic insight, aesthetics and functionality. It is fierce competition, and you need to create brands that attract interest and stand for something,” says managing director Brita Kvanlid.

“We create winners” With a slogan that generates high expectations, BrandHouse attributes its impressive portfolio of strong brands to highly qualified branding and creative specialists. “We create winners by under-

standing our customers and the market place they operate in, and after decades in the business, we know what works and what does not,” Kvanlid explains.

“Whether it is a product or a company, we aim to create strong identities.” Being behind brands that have naturally slipped into the Norwegian vocabulary, such as Cubus, TINE and Color Line, there is little doubt that their methods work. “We dare to challenge, and appreciate an open dialogue in order to achieve the best results,” notes Kvanlid and uses the Norwegian dairy producer TINE as an example. “We approached TINE, then Norske Meierier, in the early 1990s to discuss branding and how they would meet increased competi-

tion once the dairy market was deregulated and they no longer had a monopoly.

This led to the process that resulted in TINE, now one of Norway’s strongest brands.”

Strong identities BrandHouse’s extensive portfolio ranges from fast moving consumer goods to insurance companies. “We work with all types of projects, local and cross-borders, and our aim is always to develop strong identities that generate positive business results for our clients,” says Kvanlid.

“Have a challenge? Call us for a non-binding chat and find out how we can help you out.”

For more information, please visit: www.brandhouse.no or call (+47) 22 12 23 80

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 37

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Into thin air With ‘Storytelling’, Diiz Design has taken architectural visualisation further steps forward. “It is a tremendous pleasure for us to be able to work on projects that combine form and content across the Internet, iPad and smartphone,” says Lars Thorenfeldt of Diiz.

have made it possible for us to use techniques previously only used by the film industry and expensive 3D animation projects,” explains Thorenfeldt.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Diiz Design

“Although a cliché, the mantra of 'show, don't tell' is what it is all about. A ten second video can set the scene and make more of an impression than a two-minutelong animation. One of our clients recently said that ‘traditional animation is just so nineties!’ - maybe he has got a point,” laughs Thorenfeldt.

The architects here combine various storytelling techniques and formats, working on projects where they visualise building projects, landscape and city development, alongside products and ideas.

“What makes this concept such fun is that it has grown naturally out of still image production,” says Thorenfeldt. “Our clients are looking to present themselves, their projects and products more broadly these days, and as a result, our aim now is that everything we make should last the entire lifespan of the project.”

38 | Issue 41 | June 2012

For buildings, this means everything from the first drawings to when the property is ready for use. “Visualisations are initially used to be presented to developers and decision makers, and then to the general public and to attract potential buyers.”

So nineties!

Diiz produces both traditional still images and 3D animation, and during the last few years, the company has combined these increasingly with more technologies and formats. “New software and technology

“By combining graphics and animation with live images from a property, ideally with a film of moving images, it becomes much more real,” he says. “When brainstorming ideas, our creative team start off very freely and always end up with a storyboard. Images of people blend in

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

with images and landscapes that are not yet real, creating very powerful impressions.”

Transferring images “We want to bring to life those ‘images’ that the architect and property developers see for themselves, to make it easier for all to see the same thing, to obtain a common understanding. We contribute to explaining the project, emphasising the ideas around the building and landscapes,” he explains.

“As architects ourselves, we have an understanding of what the architects are trying to say with their projects. We make sure our clients are always completely aware of our role,” says Thorenfeldt.

“We receive sketches on paper, 2D drawings and 3D models on files, and we build the visualisations from these. The aim is to show the planned buildings and sizes alongside what is already there, just as it would appear to the human eye when complete, in 1:1 perspectives.”

Visualising building projects and landscape and city development is a speciality of Diiz Design.

“If we allow ourselves to be a bit pretentious, we could perhaps say that our visualisations are to architecture what rhetoric is to the power of speech,” he says with a smile.

Visualising ideas The combination of video, animation and still images has also proved very powerful outside of building and landscape images.

Over the last few years, Diiz has completed an increasing number of projects visualising industrial products, showing how these solutions work in any given context, whether at the bottom of the ocean or high up in the air.

“We are getting more assignments from typical industrial, design and engineer environments, where our ‘storytelling’ shows new sides to the solutions and puts them into the right context,” says Thorenfeldt.

“We are able to see the solutions with fresh eyes and ask fundamental questions. It is such a privilege to be a part of this design process; we have fun at work every day!”

There is often a need to be both detailed and general at the same time, pretty much in the same image. Products and solutions are part of a bigger picture, working with other products or, for example, under water. Results are created to be suitable to be shown online, on iPads and smartphones, but also for trade fairs and on large screens.

ideas that way. When I was studying I was very aware that I wanted to produce something every day, not just sit and think.

This idea is the cornerstone for us here at Diiz,” says one of the architects.

“Here, the combination of images, rendering and analogue video are fantastic tools, and you just need to use them in an intelligent manner,” says Thorenfeldt.

“Some are fascinated by digital possibilities, but we have tried to keep a more low-key approach in our choices of tools, not just going all out with visual effects,” he says. By managing the visual technologies and using the storytelling principle, we can help make even loose concepts into concrete ideas.”

“Our basic business idea is to quickly become concrete in the visual, to try out

For more information, please visit: www.diiz.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 39

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Before

After

Before

After

Bringing life to empty surfaces For a company to be successful, it needs a strong design profile, a brand that the man in the street recognises. With years of experience working in traditional graphic design, specialising in branding and corporate design, Lena K. Torp and her company Strong Design are now branching out and looking to bring those profiles from print and into the work environment.

a few advisory comments to some of our customers and got some great responses, and being creative people, we decided to go for it. A lot of companies want help with these sorts of things.”

By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Strong Design & Strong Art

Lena admits competing with larger advertising companies and graphic design studios can be testing at times and sees this new branch of her business as another opportunity to reach out to customers. It is also an opportunity for her to let her creativity flow in yet another way.

Strong Design is a small graphic design company with a large network and years of experience within its field.

Offering complete solutions covering everything from design to the finished product, Lena and her team aim to push boundaries and create a complete design profile for the businesses they work with.

With the introduction of the branch Strong Art, that complete profile is expanded even further – moving off paper and the digital platform and into the company’s office spaces, bringing new life to empty walls and surfaces.

40 | Issue 41 | June 2012

“Strong Art brings a company’s profile into the work environment. We can work with a company’s already established profile and take it one step further, or we can provide a completely new profile altogether,” says Lena. Decorating everything from meeting rooms to reception areas and elevators, Strong Art will work to give an office environment that unique feel, incorporating the company’s familiar design and colour schemes.

“We saw a need for this type of design when working with customers. We made

Located in Son, a short drive south of Oslo, Strong Design works mainly in south-east Norway, in the area surrounding the capital, but with a strong network of suppliers, Lena is open to expansion, and welcomes interest even from outside Norway’s borders.

For more information, please visit: www.strongart.no www.strongdesign.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Left: Dalen Primary and Middle School, view of canteen. Right: Riddersand Primary and Middle School, social space.

Be proud of your workplace with advice from CADI By focusing on functional furniture in addition to aesthetic appearances, CADI transforms public places into working places to thrive in.

The Oslo-based interior architect company consists of five employees, including interior architects and product designers.

With CADI on board, you are guaranteed comfortable chairs, opportunities to move around and good light settings, as well as aesthetic interiors. “We do far more than choosing colours and furniture,” emphasises owner Elin Skjeseth Bashevkin.

tant task of giving public spaces functional and good solutions. “Our work is predominantly linked to public spaces, schools in particular. Everyone deserves a well-functioning and inspiring working environment, children as well as adults,” Skjeseth Bashevkin says. “I firmly believe that people who are proud of their workplace and feel comfortable are healthier and more productive and happy.”

Making public spaces functional and aesthetic

The users’ ombudsmen

CADI’s name is self-explanatory and stands for contemporary architecture design interior. With a mix of disciplines, the company has taken upon itself the impor-

CADI focuses on interaction between aesthetics, functionality and details, as well as looking after the needs of each individual. “The interior needs to reflect the new

ways of working, with increased cooperation and yet focus on individual needs,” Skjeseth Bashevkin explains. By working closely with the client, they have a clear understanding of expectations and desires. “I say that we are the users’ ombudsmen. In the building business, it often happens that users are surprised by the final result, which does not necessarily meet their needs and expectations, since they do not always know how to read architectural drawings. However, with our varied backgrounds from architecture and product design, we understand how the different disciplines can, and should, go hand in hand, and thus create solutions that satisfy the users.” She highlights completeness, where every detail is connected, and continues to emphasise the importance of comfortable interiors for people’s well-being. “Our work is inspired by our overriding engagement with society,” Skjeseth Bashevkin explains.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: CADI

Below: Kirkenes Primary and Middle School, entrance detail to custom-designed library.

For more information, please visit: www.cadi.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 41

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Odd Thorsen AS, together with Vulkan Smith, has launched a new series of outdoor furniture, ParkCity, which includes different benches, lights and rubbish bins.

Odd Thorsen AS maintains values of the past while developing products for the future The Oslo-based industrial design studio continues to influence and mark public as well as private spaces with its timeless and functional solutions. Whether involving a kitchen sink or metro stations across Oslo, Odd Thorsen AS provides compelling designs.

little room for surprises. “No projects are alike, but the way we work creates a sense of security on our side as well as the client’s side.”

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Odd Thorsen AS

“Design for public and private spaces”

Odd Thorsen AS draws on its experience as an established office as well as the innovative approach of a young workforce, which combined create the atmosphere that is reflected in its slogan: Maintaining values of the past with an eye toward the future. “As opposed to mobile phones, which are exchanged once a new and better model is released, we strive to develop designs that last a lifetime,” notes managing director and owner Halvor Thorsen.

Supporting framework for each and every project Odd Thorsen established the company with the same name in the early 1980s,

42 | Issue 41 | June 2012

and after he passed away in 2005, his son Halvor Thorsen took over as managing director. The company changed considerably after the takeover, although the initial values and ideology remain important guidelines, with focus on a fundamental framework underlying each and every project. “Our methodology is the same regardless of the size and nature of a project, which provides us with guidelines throughout the process, and ensures that nothing is accidental,” Thorsen explains.

“Our approach is quite Scandinavian in the way that the theoretical framework underlies every project.” Combined with close cooperation with the client, there is

Odd Thorsen AS has a varied portfolio, ranging from kitchen sinks to public transportation systems. Having been involved in projects related to the Olympic Games at Lillehammer in 1994, the Oslo Airport Express Train (1998) and the Oslo Subway (2008), Odd Thorsen AS has left its touch on numerous spaces. The studio continues to steer its attention toward public spaces, and together with Vulkan Smith, they have just launched a new series of outdoor furniture, ParkCity, which includes different benches, lights and rubbish bins. “We predominantly work on typical ‘everyday products’, which people normally do not notice but are crucial in the public space. It is particularly rewarding to

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

work on these projects as it reaches a broader audience,” Thorsen says. He emphasises the reach of their products, and the importance of developing products for the general public.

One of their most distributed designs, however, is a product for the private market: Frame, a range of kitchen sinks for Intra, which is sold in many parts of the world. “Someone once noted that it is sold from Berlevåg in northern Norway to Bangkok. It is fun when something you have worked on for so long, often years, is appreciated and used by so many people,” Thorsen notes. “Most people take products like their kitchen sink for granted, but it can actually take up to three years of research, concept and detail development, prototyping and marketing before a product is ready for the public.”

Timeless and functional products for users around the world “Norway is a limited market, and it is often necessary to approach the international market as well. This allows not only

Frame - a range of kitchen sinks for Intra

for a better economic situation, but also for new ways to think. Homeowners in Norway are likely to have different priorities and tastes than homeowners in Spain, and it is challenging and interesting to find solutions that make both happy,” Thorsen says. Equally important as the aesthetic considerations is the lifespan of the products. “Our designs do not necessarily reflect the current trends in society, rather we are more driven by the use of material and form to create something that potentially could last a lifetime,” Thorsen notes. Simultaneously it is important not to create new versions of the

neighbour’s products, and Odd Thorsen AS exploits the opportunity of thinking new while avoiding trends. “Although we do not have a particular style, people may be able to recognise our sensible and functional solutions. My father always said to avoid antics in design, meaning that the products should be beautiful in their simplicity and not be ‘over designed’, and I believe that describes our products very well,” Thorsen says.

For more information, please visit: www.oddthorsen.no

The Oslo Airport Express Train (1998) project

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 43

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

VilVite - Bergen Science Centre Photo: Thor Brødreskift

Cooperation and teamwork prove a winning formula

project strategies is always done in groups. The thinking is that by ensuring all angles, problems and solutions are investigated and considered from different points of view, the result will be an all-encompassing strategy, and ultimately a complete final project.

“The cooperation we do, whether with architects or others, is always done to make sure we get the ultimate solutions for our clients,” says Irminger. “Having done this for such a long time now, we feel we are very good at knowing when we and the client will benefit from extra expertise from someone else, and that gives us an edge over many others in the same field of work.”

Graphic design solutions with a hefty dose of girl power Set up and run by four young women, two-year-old Pur Design in Drammen has proved a hit with small and medium companies looking for the full package when it comes to branding and visual identity.

Working across traditional and new media, the company offers graphic design, photography, web design and illustration, covering everything from developing a logo to setting up a company’s Facebook page.

“Design for various Internet platforms often plays a large part in the jobs we do,” says general manager Marianne Wåhlberg, “and we can complement the graphic design aspect with web design and design solutions for social media and blogs.”

All four are graphic designers but have an added area of specialization, meaning that large projects can be completed in-

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house. Wåhlberg herself is a photographer, and two of the others are an illustrator and web designer respectively.

They have nothing but good experiences in setting up a company as women and friends, if anything, most people think it is exciting and fun that they have done it, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “We have always had a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve and feel that so far we have achieved what we set out to do,” says Wåhlberg.

“I think our real strong point is the addition of each of our speciality fields,” she

Bybanen, light railway, Bergen.

Photo: Daniel Clements

Set up by interior architect MNIL Bente Irminger and graphic designer Lasse Berntzen in 1998, the company has worked on some very large and prestigious projects, including the award-winning branding and design job for Bybanen, the light rail public transport system in Bergen, where they are based.

“The cross-discipline approach is very much at the heart of what we do, but as an office, our expertise covers the various design aspects,” says Irminger. “All in all, we are eight people working here, a combination of interior, furniture, visual art and graphic designers.”

Teamwork is key when it comes to project management, and development of

Fuggi Baggi Design team.

Photo: Chris Aadland

A cross-discipline approach is behind the success of designers Fuggi Baggi Design, who work with anyone from architects to psychologists in order to find the very best solutions for their clients.

By Karin Modig

For more information, please visit: www.fuggibaggidesign.com Facebook: Fuggibaggi

says. “We work well together and can deliver tailor-made, complete solutions without outside help, meaning that the whole process is both easier and more efficient for clients.”

By Karin Modig | Photos: Pur Design

For further information, please visit: http://

For more information, please visit: www.purdesign.no Facebook: PurDesign

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

companies and entrepreneurs, both Norwegian and international. Ghost creates total design and branding solutions for companies and design strategies for different platforms. In addition, they design unique products with innovative solutions.

Beautiful and Functional

Henriksen believes that international companies look to Scandinavia for inspiration, including Apple with their playful and minimalistic design. “I believe we have a different approach to design and that we are considered exotic, and that is why Scandinavian design is so popular.” Compared to designs in other countries, Scandinavian design seems to have created its own unique trademark. “Most people associate Scandinavian design with minimalism and functionality,” explains Henriksen. He believes that Norway has found inspiration from Danish and Finnish design, both countries that have fronted the practical and simplistic approach. “But I believe Norwegian design has a stronger focus on functionality,” he adds. “At Ghost, we emphasize the functional.”

Eco-friendly

With a practical yet unconventional approach to design, Ghost proves to be a prime example of why Scandinavian design is so sought after. At Ghost, design is more than just aesthetics.

By Anette Berve | Photos: Ghost

The Stavanger-based Ghost is a small design company that is making a big mark on the Norwegian graphics design scene. Founded in 1998 by Mats Henriksen and two partners, the company filled a gap in the Stavanger market for a multi-disciplinary design company. “We initially envisioned working as a multidisciplinary company,” Henriksen explains. “As we have grown and progressed, we now find ourselves focusing

mostly on graphics, industrial and interactive design.”

Minimalism Scandinavians cultivate shapes and forms in a very simplistic way, and it is an approach that has spread across to everything from web solutions and software to interactive design. Ghost works with clients from larger multinational companies as well as smaller ones, and new

The company has been recognised on several occasions for its designs, winning numerous awards for best design. Henriksen points to “InPed” as one of their more successful projects. The learning and activity cards for kindergartens won them a nomination for the Honours Award for Design Excellence and the Award for Design Excellence; their low-tech approach was praised by the Norwegian Design Council.

“The relationship and closeness with nature is a major focus in Scandinavian design. We try to be eco-friendly and not produce any excess waste when designing, and I think that shows.”

Beautiful design is something that everyone enjoys, but Henriksen explains how Ghost tries to come up with unconventional solutions to break the mould. “Design does not always have to be beautiful,” Henriksen concludes. “The most important thing is that is fulfils its function.”

For more information, please visit: www.ghost.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 45

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Left: The restaurant at Thon Hotel EU - "Twelve" are the chairs in pink, lime and turquoise. A large image with plummeting men fills one wall of the restaurant. Right: The bar at Thon Hotel EU can be observed from the next floor. Lime green plastic chairs and black tables create a flowery expression.

Trond Ramsøskar AS surprises and engages with colourful and playful designs The company is renowned for its colourful designs and thrives by engaging and surprising users nationally and abroad. Spending a night at a hotel will never be the same again after Trond Ramsøskar AS has worked its magic with theatrical solutions and colours to remember.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Trond Ramsøskar AS

The Oslo-based interior architect firm dates back to 1998, although it appeared in its current form in 2010. The man behind the company, Trond Ramsøskar, has developed a company well known for its desire to surprise and entertain with the use of colours and fun designs. “I am constantly using interesting materials and lots of colours,” Ramsøskar says.

Colourful impressions “I am generally a fan of using more colour, particularly in hotels. These days people have white walls wherever they are, whether at work or at home. It is therefore important that hotels stand out,” Ram-

46 | Issue 41 | June 2012

søskar says. “Many market their hotels as your home away from home. I see it completely the other way around, staying at a hotel should be an experience, and colours make people happier.” While hotels are his main area of work, he also works on private properties and office buildings. The common factor for all three areas is that people spend a great amount of time there. “People should be more demanding towards their surroundings and require enjoyable spaces,” Ramsøskar says.

When designing offices, he carefully transfers the identity of the company into the building. “Every company has an atti-

tude, which should be evident in their workplace. If your company works with people, the office should reflect openness and light and encourage communication.

By thinking strategically about your design, you are also able to visualise your business strategy,” Ramsøskar elaborates.

Redesigning one of Scandinavia’s largest hotel chains Trond Ramsøskar AS is currently setting its mark on one of Scandinavia’s largest hotel chains, Thon Hotels. With his eye for attention and favouring of strong colours, Ramsøskar is playing a big part in the redesign of the chain. “I thoroughly enjoy working on these projects as we are bringing out a fun and edgy character in a chain that has been confined to normal hotel design,” Ramsøskar says. One of his most striking works is the newly opened Thon Hotel EU in Brussels, where

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

guests will be struck by an imaginative use of bright colours. “In all my projects, I aim to adapt the style to the users. On this particular project, I chose to bring out the exact opposite of most of its clientele. Based in Brussels, it attracts a majority of men in grey suits, and I wanted to surprise them with lively interiors and use of colours,” elaborates Ramsøskar, who also successfully collaborated with architect Celine Bilquin from Altiplan on the project.

The idea underlying the Thon Hotel in Brussels is miles away from the theatrical appearance of Thon Hotel Opera, which he was assigned shortly after the success in Brussels. With a clear referral to its location just opposite the opera and ballet house in Oslo, Ramsøskar designed rooms worthy of a world-class ballet dancer. “We brought the ballet theme into the rooms, encouraging awareness that guests are indeed staying at an opera and ballet hotel,” Ramsøskar elaborates.

A prerequisite of the results has been his active collaboration with Sissel Berdal Haga, responsible for design at Thon Hotels. “We spend a lot of time together to agree on the right colours and materials for the specific projects, and our close collaboration has been crucial for the outcomes,” Ramsøskar emphasises.

The bar at Thon Hotel EU is right next to a garden. Specially designed LED lamps hang from the ceiling.

stand their needs and expectations. It is important to engage the users, and to achieve that I need to challenge them.

The most successful projects are those where the users have had a say,” Ramsøskar emphasises, and thus lives by the company motto analysing and conveying your personality.

Trond Ramsøskar is also President of NIL – Norwegian interior architects and furniture design association.

For more information, please visit: www.ramsoskar.no

Free yourself from trends Similarly to other creative occupations, interior architects are also subject to trends and current desires within society.

Ramsøskar, however, is sceptical and prefers to stick to lasting solutions. “Many follow trends without questioning whether it suits them or their usage. It is important for me to, rather than following current trends, understand the usage of a particular house, office or hotel, and adapt the style accordingly,” Ramsøskar notes.

Ramsøskar has a personal interest in each and every project he commissions, and a large proportion of his time is therefore filled with analysis of the users and purposes of the buildings. “I need to understand what sort of people will stay at a hotel or work at an office, and I spend a lot of time with the actual users to under-

Clockwise from top left: The reception desk at Thon Hotel EU is made of glass and stone and is luminous and constantly changes colour; The rooms at Thon Hotel Opera have an illuminated back wall behind the bed. This provides a scenic evening mood; The rooms at Thon Hotel EU are in the same fresh colours of pink and lime; The conference rooms at Thon Hotel EU have specially designed rugs in violet and pink. Lime green chairs give the rooms a fresh look.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Meeting points and break rooms at Kongsberg Maritime.

Brighten your workplace Interior architect Trine Hjelle plans, draws, creates and administers herself through an ordinary day bustling with projects as the sole employee of annet format as, or “different format” in English. Why the somewhat unusual name? “Because this is not an A4 kind of company,” she explains.

In 2010, annet format as was hired for the big project Kongsberg Maritime, where interaction between the company’s employees was the main focus. Working closely with architects Ljøterud og Ødegård, annet format as created a landscape that made information and communication easier to access for all.

Through meeting points, break rooms and alternatively placed furniture, Hjelle created spaces that opened up for more dialogue.

By Ingrid Marie Holmeide | Photos: Jiri Havran

Working mainly with public and company clients, annet format as in Norway has through the years gained a lot of experience in developing public environments.

Focusing on conceptual and whole solutions, Hjelle includes the importance of bringing the client into the process of each project. “Part of my job is to identify and analyze the client’s needs. It’s an in-depth process that gives me an understanding of the challenges we face and how to best approach them to improve the clients’ well-being at work.” For one of annet format as’s main goals is to generate a positivity through its work, to create spaces, areas and environments that people want to be in.

Though working on her own, Trine Hjelle rarely works alone. Cooperation is an im-

48 | Issue 41 | June 2012

would be working out the logistics of each room or space to ensure we maintain the client’s identity, and lighting.”

portant factor in the running of annet format as. “I work closely with architects in particular, and both parties draw on each others’ competence and experience,” she says. For the best results, the interior architect is introduced to the project as early as possible, often in the first stages of planning. “My main focus at this stage

“Along with the idea and the execution, a thought-through and well-constructed plan when it comes to colours and choice of materials makes up the project’s identity. And that’s what annet format as brings to each job we take on,” Hjelle says.

For more information, please visit: www.annetformat.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Dine Tenner dentist

Social interaction through interior architecture A space has to facilitate interaction between people in order for the design to work, whether it is a nightclub, office or clothes shop. Seeing interior as a social occasion in this way is key, according to interior designers Cox Strategisk Design in Trondheim.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Cox Strategisk Design

Cox has been around since 1998 and is based just outside the city centre in a building that oozes creativity, with artists and filmmakers amongst their neighbours. Their main body of work has been for commercial premises, from offices to nightclubs. They are behind some of the city’s best-loved cafés, as well as a dentist office that is more ‘trendy bar’ than clinical office.

5 Bord restaurant

Carma clothes shop

It is not only the ‘set’ spaces that are important though, explains interior architect Asle Heggset. “The empty spaces between furniture, offices and meeting rooms are just as important as the defined spaces,” he says. “A big part of a project is often to make a plan for what happens when people move between A and B, so we have to make those ‘dead’ spaces suitable for unplanned meetings.”

“The dentist office was one of my favourite projects, and it really captures the core of our job, showing that it is about more than colour schemes,” he says. “We managed to add something more and made the space about something other than the anxiety a lot of people feel when they go there.”

Branding is becoming an increasingly important concept in business, and for interior architects this often means close collaborations with graphic designers.

Interior choices have to match the company’s branding and image as well as the surroundings and the audience.

Once a client’s vision has been captured, they can start the process, which entails solving logistics and technical issues as well as choosing the right fabrics and furniture. “For us it is imperative that we work closely with the client throughout the process; we have to fully get to the bottom of their vision in order to create that for them,” says Heggset. “The better the communication we have with our clients, the better the finished product will be.”

For more information, please visit: www.coxsd.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 49

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Above: UKM explosion and right: UKM poster

Dare to explode in colours Imagine a rabbit chained in his cage breaking free. Reading manuals, pushing buttons, doing research, he sets up a bomb in a house buried deep in the Norwegian woods. He is practising. Distancing himself from the house, he seeks cover behind a pile of snow. The ignition key is turned and within seconds, the house explodes. With colour.

By Ingrid Marie Holmeide | Photos: UREDD

This rabbit-narrated video promoted the biggest youth cultural happening in Norway in 2011: UKM, Ungdommens Kulturmønstring. He brings colour to your city, and this video won the designers at UREDD first place in the advertising competition “Sterk Reklame”. UREDD means unafraid. Not fearless, but unafraid.

“We define our name as a quality, to dare when you‘re afraid to.

Imagine standing on a springboard ten metres off the ground, looking down at the water, heart racing. And then you jump. That feeling is UREDD,” creative director Gaute Busch explains.

branding and design. Creating the ideas that give their client the attention their

UREDD is a design and branding agency based in Trondheim, Norway. The core of their philosophy can be summed up by the three words always in focus: attention,

brand needs is perhaps the most challenging part, on which the whole team of five often work together. “This is where we can stand out, be different and better. By

50 | Issue 41 | June 2012

challenging ourselves, stepping outside our comfort zones, we learn more and become better designers. That’s what our company’s about.”

And the UREDD team do not sit idly by and wait for the opportunities to come to them. Every Friday they practise; new techniques are tested, new idea processes are tried out and the craftsmanship is perfected. Their own workshop in the office makes it easier to access the creativity. “Each client is different and looks for different things. It’s our job to be one step ahead and be able to provide the quality each project deserves,” Busch says.

In many ways, UREDD’s clients become a part of their team. Being unafraid, innovative and new is something they must do together.

The process from idea to strategy to craft involves the clients.

Pushing the limits and always searching for the absolute best idea has got UREDD far. Add to that their ideology that good art should fulfil a fantastic idea, and above all,

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

that good craftsmanship always wins, and you have the recipe for a successful business. The list of merits is long. Numerous publications and awards testify that their unconventional ways of approaching art pay off. UREDD often receives invitations to participate in competitions, and sometimes they do. But not always. “We do sometimes say no to competitions if our schedule is full. Every project deserves our full attention, and if we can’t provide perfect quality, we won’t take it. We don’t work half way,” says Busch.

The identity of UREDD’s design draws on their base in northern Scandinavia, and they place themselves within the Scandinavian design traditions. Yet within that there is room to create colourful, playful and challenging designs, and here,

UREDD aims to be among the top contributors. Providing knowledge, competence and innovation, there are few things UREDD’s team has not done throughout the past seven years. Web design, brochures, magazines and visual identity are only a few of the services they offer.

“To us, there is no difference between big and small clients. We’ve done extensive work for both private and public clients.

It’s the project that interests us, the challenge.”

As a part of UREDD’s philosophy to push boundaries, they are now looking at the market outside of Norway. “We are definitely widening our horizon. It’s all about daring, pushing ourselves and our creativity further. We want to keep going forward, and being a creative business based

in Trondheim, Norway, is no hindrance for us to look internationally,” Busch assures.

So maybe the rabbit is ready to take wings and fly. To spread UREDD’s word, work and wonder outside Norway’s boundaries.

To share a little of the magic that Scandinavian design has to offer. The UREDD team are travellers, searching for the next fantastic idea that will set their fingers and minds itching to get going. So embark on a journey with them, visit their website and see where they come from, where the rabbit starts his story. Who knows, perhaps he will come to colourize your town next?

For more information, please visit: www.uredd.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 51

Combining the right elements The secret to a successful work environment is office spaces that look presentable and promote well-being. Self-employed interior architect Camilla Christensen plays with the balance between giving her customers what they know and love and pushing them to try new solutions.

By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Innom AS

Founding her company Innom AS in 2006, interior architect Camilla Christensen has worked on a variety of projects and gained a wide range of expertise. Hesitant to pinpoint any one speciality, she focuses on giving every individual customer that little bit extra to create something unique for them.

“I think I am good at reading the customer and working with them to create an environment they will be happy with. At the same time, I try to push them to go a step

further and give them things they haven’t thought of themselves. That’s my job after all; if I didn’t, they might as well have designed the space themselves,” says Christensen.

Working mainly with businesses and the public sector, Christensen has drawn everything from schools to offices to cafes.

She says a lot of the same elements can be used in different settings. The challenge lies in combining these elements in a unique way for each customer.

“All of my customers want to create something they can proudly present to the public that represents their unique signature. Having presentable premises creates well-being and can also help companies attract the right employees. This is even more important if your office is based outside of the big cities.”

Christensen herself is located in Drammen, just outside of Oslo, and shares an office with a fellow interior architect. While enjoying the company of her colleague, she has considered expanding her own company as well. “But it’s not necessarily a bad thing to be a small company either as customers often like a more personal touch.”

Despite having more than enough work on her hands, Christensen is always open to new customers.

“I strive to deliver quality work, and I hope that will make customers remember me and in turn generate more work,” she says. And no matter how busy she might be, she will always find time to squeeze in the right project.

For more information, please visit: www.innom.no

52 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Dynamic Norwegian interior design company expands internationally

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Interiørplan

Interiørplan was established in Bergen in 1980 by general manager Einar Salomonsen and interior designer/owner Anne Bjørnstad.

In 2005, the company moved to Oslo, and today, it has five employees including the two owners. Interiørplan offers interior design solutions for hotels, bars, restaurants, spas, and public spaces as part of shopping centres and offices. Salomonsen describes a normal day in the office (along with the business in general) as fun, demanding and sometimes a little stressful when deadlines get tight.

Salomonsen explains that they have both regular and ad-hoc clients. Since forming the company 32 years ago, he says they are responsible for 600 restaurants. Most of them are in Norway and some in the Baltic countries. Amongst recent successes Salomonsen highlights some examples: the company was recently re-

sponsible for a hotel in Bergen’s Hanseatic area with 40 rooms. The building is from the 1700s. Another recently completed hotel was the Fredheim Hotel in Flaam (next to Sognefjorden with 1.5 million visitors annually), which will open on 30 May. Norwegian artist Nina von Hirsch contributed with handicraft and textiles. In Trysil, they renovated the Radisson Blu Hotel and its restaurants. A solution was also developed for Bergen’s Matboersen restaurant, with its eight concepts, which will open on 8 June. In Oslo, clients include Onda Restaurant (Aker Brygge), Bygdo Allé Restaurant/BAR (Bygdoy Allé, Tjuvholmen and Akerselva), La Belle Sole Nightclub (Solli Plass) and Hanami (Japanese restaurant at Tjuvholmen). Outside of Norway’s borders, Interiørplan has completed the interior design of five restaurants in Estonia, four in Latvia, a hotel and two restaurants in Lithuania, and two shopping centres in Poland.

After more than 30 years of success, Salomonsen and his four colleagues are keen to take Interiørplan further. In order to follow the latest trends in interior design and architecture and to develop new ideas, Salomonsen spends a significant amount of his time travelling across Norway and abroad to London and other cities in Europe and the USA. For more info on their groundbreaking interior design, please visit: www.iplan.no or their Facebook page.

BAR Vulkan (Bygdøy Allé Restaurant)

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Left: Edvard Grieg Square, Bergen. Top middle: Vincent Lunges Square, and below: Edvard Grieg Square, Bergen. Right: Festplassen, Bergen

Bringing ocean, mountain and fjord into the cities In 2001, professor and landscape architect Arne Sælen started Landskap Design AS, one of Norway’s leading offices within city space planning. Based in the west of Norway, Landskap Design draws inspiration from its surroundings; ocean, fjords, coast and mountains are important factors in the office profile. A perfect example of this is one of Sælen’s most recent projects: the Edvard Grieg Plass, or Edvard Grieg Square, outside the famous Edvard Grieg Music Theatre in Bergen.

Built in two turns, the Edvard Grieg Square represents the contrasts in Norwegian nature: one part, covering the parking area GriegPark, is rough and versatile, a popular place for outdoor concerts. The northern part that surrounds the entrance of the Grieghall is calmer, with seating areas and a garden filled with cherry trees. The Edvard Grieg Square project was a competition by invitation, and Landskap Design, together with Mette and Morten Molden, won.

Landskap Design’s main focus is public spaces and shaping streets and squares.

Working both in Norway and Denmark, there is definitely enough to do for Sælen, who manages the workload alone. “I have between four and five projects running at

54 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Velje Theatre Square

the same time. It’s a lot of travelling, and I insist on following each project through from the first drawing until the final stone is in place. This way I don’t distance myself from later critiques.”

Festplassen in Bergen is another of Landskap Design’s latest projects: an open space surrounding a small lake. A nearly

fifty-metre-long stone stair leads down to the lake. Another project is Velje Theatre Square, an ordinary roundabout transformed into a large pool with a stone sculpture and a fountain, which people can walk across. “Western Norway provides a basis for my inspiration; Norwegians are surrounded by rocks and stones, we live in it. It’s a great starting point for projects like Festplassen,” Sælen explains.

Though a one-man business, Landskap Design is not afraid to bring in competence and ideas from others. “Cooperation is important in this line of work, drawing inspiration from others. For me, it’s particularly important to imbed art in my projects, and I often work with visual artists.”

Arne Sælen has an impressive list of merits and awarded work, and concludes: “There’s no better feeling than walking away from a complete project, thinking ‘this is exactly how I imagined it’.”

By Ingrid Marie Holmeide Photos: Bent René Synnevåg, Christine Nundal and Arne Sælen

For more information, please visit: www.landskapdesign.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

The Holocaust Centre in Oslo

Illustration for the ongoing World Park project in Oslo

Norwegian landscape architects celebrate more than 40 years of success Sundt & Thomassen AS Landskapsarkitekter is a Norwegian landscape architect company, established in 1971. They specialize in landscape architecture involving landscape studies, urban planning, planning of large-scale landscape constructions and infrastructure projects. Landscape design is also a main task implemented by the office.

By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Sundt & Thomassen AS

Founder/partner Trygve Sundt argues that their competitive advantage is their philosophy to develop existing qualities in the landscape in an efficient and aesthetic way. He emphasises the importance of understanding the natural components in an area in order to create sustainable projects for clients. To do so one needs to utilise existing terrain and vegetation in the best way, Sundt says. Thus, he concludes, biological knowledge and how to optimize local biological components is essential to create the landscape.

Over the years, the company has been successful with the Norwegian public being a large client. The company has worked with projects including the out-

Saltstraumen bridge

door areas for Norway’s Central Bank, the Saltstraumen bridge, schools, kindergarten parks and recreational areas.

Currently Bergen’s new tramline, parks in Oslo and the new concert hall of Stavanger are amongst the main tasks of the office.

Sundt says Verdensparken (the World Park) in the Groruddalen suburb of Oslo is one of their largest and most demanding projects. Its objective is to combine land-

scape design with art reflecting the local ethnic diversity. It is an environmental project, aiming to make the best of current components of Norwegian vegetation. It will consist of seven different places, three with berries and fruit. Paving stones are imported from China, Brazil, Portugal and South Africa to give identity to the plazas of the park. Completion is due next year with construction starting in July.

Sundt says the plan for the future is to continue expanding their client mass, in order to ensure growth. He explains that they will continue utilising their employees’ skills to develop new ideas. Anyone looking to invest in new or improve on existing green areas, making the best of existing landscape qualities to develop sustainable landscape architecture, may find more information on the company’s website.

For more information, please visit: www.st-landskap.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 55

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway

Above left: Schandorffs Square, Oslo – Innovation prize 2011. Top right: Vollen, Asker – Beautiful roads prize 2008. Below: Gjerdrum High School - National building prize 2010

Paints the city green Østengen & Bergo AS Landskapsarkitekter is inspired by Norwegian nature and brings a green environment to city centres as well as schoolyards.

By Anne Line Kaxrude | Photos: Østengen & Bergo AS

The landscape architect firm was set up in 1996 and is managed by the two partners Kari Bergo and Johan Østengen. Having established themselves as a leading firm within landscape architecture, they have contributed to greener outdoor areas all over Norway. “We work towards a green aesthetic and a sustainable environment,” partner Johan Østengen says.

Working towards a green environment The company offers a varied portfolio, ranging from schoolyards to residential areas and parks. “We take on a variety of projects,” Østengen notes. Regardless of the project, however, the focus on a green environment lies at the heart of all their work, referring to both green aesthetics and sustainable development. “We are inspired by Norwegian nature, which is defined by its green appearance, which is a quality we try to incorporate in all our

56 | Issue 41 | June 2012

projects,” Østengen says. The company can show several prizes for their work, including the RIBA international Awards in 2006.

Schandorffs Square – an oasis in central Oslo The newly transformed Schandorffs Square in central Oslo is a symbol of their work. Having been a parking space and a largely abandoned area for years, Østengen & Bergo began the work of making the place a focal point in the city. “As opposed to many of Oslo’s other squares, which are largely characterised by the use of grey stone, we wished to create a green lung, with a variety of flower schemes,” Østengen says. “The square is a steep connection between two larger streets, and it was important for us to turn it into an accessible area, whether in a wheelchair or with a pram.” With simple but

sober means, the square is hailed as an example of how the private sector can contribute to a development of public infrastructure.

Another project that will set its mark on Oslo is undoubtedly the ongoing work with the new national museum at Vestbanen, which is said to be the largest current museum project in Europe. “It is a large project and exciting to be working on,” Østengen says.

Nasjonalbiblioteket, Oslo – 1st prize, competition

For more information, please visit: www.ostengen-bergo.no

Does your company take responsibility for its packaging?

ns, then your company has an environmental and If the answer is “yes” to one or more of the following questio 7R DFKLHYH WKLV MRLQ *UHHQ 'RW 1RUZD\ WRGD\ IXO¿OO WR \RX KHOS FDQ VRFLDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ *UHHQ 'RW 1RUZD\

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As a member of Green Dot Norway you have the right to label your packaging with the Green Dot symbol. This documents WKDW \RXU FRPSDQ\ IXO¿OV LWV HQYLURQPHQWDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ E\ paying for recycling of used packaging.

Most purchasers now require that their suppliers are members of a recycling scheme for used packaging.

Green Dot Norway makes it easier to be a social responsible company.

©

www.grontpunkt.no/english

: ME E Y H L T RWA A I EC NO SP ORD FJ

Pining for the Fjords The fjords in western Norway have inspired artists and painters for centuries and continue to have an important role today – in art, culture and, most importantly, tourism.

By Innovation Norway | Photo: Sveinung Myrlid/visitnorway.com

The fjords are unique and awe-inspiring in themselves, but they also invite you to enjoy exciting activities, such as hiking in mountains dropping hundreds of metres down into the water, glacier walking, kayaking, fishing and cycling. You can be as active as you like or sit back and enjoy the peaceful views from one of the many

58 | Issue 41 | June 2012

daily fjord cruises. If you are driving, there are several roads, named National Tourist Routes, with spectacularly designed viewpoints to see the fjords, mountains and surrounding valleys.

Travelling around in Fjord Norway and its beauty - you have to be there to believe it!

Along the fjords, you will find some of Norway’s oldest and most charming hotels, offering local food and great views from your room. However, if you feel like trying something different, you can stay on a mountain farm or in one of the many lighthouses along the coastal landscape.

Up and down the coast, there are beautiful towns well worth exploring: Ålesund with its amazing art nouveau architecture and fresh seafood, and Bergen crowned by its seven mountains and Hanseatic Wharf, Bryggen, yet another World Heritage at-

Photo: CH/visitnorway.com

The crown jewels, the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, are both on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, but thousands of tourists also travel to experience the Lysefjord near Stavanger, where they can see the wonder that is the Pulpit Rock, or to the Hardangerfjord, whose blossoming orchards in May are a sight to behold.

Norway also has the world’s second longest fjord, the Sognefjord, and plenty of jaw-droppingly tall waterfalls to take in.

traction. And so is Urnes stave church, which has weathered 850 years, on a headland overlooking the Lustrafjord, far from any town.

For more information, please visit: www.visitnorway.com

year-round in areas closer to the coast.

Destination Stryn & Nordfjord are currently in the process of colour coding walking routes according to difficulty, making them even more accessible for visitors.

Photo: Ernst Riha

Glacier walking and activities that come to you For those wanting a bit more structure and guidance in their holiday, several local companies offer an array of activities, and one of those is long-established Briksdal Adventure.

“When we started out, glacier walking was our main activity,” says general manager Frode Briksdal. “This is still hugely popular, but we have strengthened our offerings enormously in recent years, and today glacier walking is one of many activities.”

Photo: Thomas Bickhardt/BickFoto

Photo: Kai Storjohann

Fjords, mountains and glaciers – and activities for everyone “What is most special about this part of Norway is that we have such varied nature in a small area,” says marketing manager of Destination Stryn & Nordfjord, Beate Vik Hauge. ”The sea, fjord, glaciers, sandy beaches and high mountains are all within short distances.”

By Karin Modig

Amongst the numerous attractions are Briksdalsbreen, an arm of the largest glacier in mainland Europe, Jostedalsbreen, and the stunning and varied scenery lends itself well to a number of outdoor activities.

initially it was the fantastic fishing opportunities that made people come here.” There are still great opportunities for both freshwater and sea fishing, but nowadays the fjord and the mountains are the big draw.

“It was the English who first started coming here in big numbers,” says Vik Hauge, “and

Although inland areas get a lot of snow in wintertime, you can go mountain hiking

Photo: Even Flo

Photo: Briksdal Adventure

From axe throwing to RIB boat trips on the fjord, there is something for all ages and abilities. An activity park has an array of challenging activities out in nature, and they even offer a mobile activity park that travels to where the customers are.

Briksdal Adventure prides themselves on their ability to adapt to what the customers want. “The types of activities we offer are suitable for everyone; extreme activities are not on our agenda, but apart from that, we rarely say no to an enquiry,” says Briksdal. “We travel around a lot, the customer is our main priority and we can tailor-make activities to suit.”

For more information, please visit: www.nordfjord.no www.briksdal-adventure.com

Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic Life/Fjord Norway

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 59

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Fjord Norway

Folgefonni Breførarlag – Experience a glacier up close and personal

Folgefonni Breførarlag has been arranging tours on the glacier since 1994 and can also offer a wide spectrum of other outdoor activities, such as kayaking and mountain climbing, all in the vicinity of the village of Jondal.

“The whole concept behind Folgefonni Breførarlag is that within a small village, we can offer all that Fjord Norway stands for,” says Åsmund Bakke, general manager and glacier guide. “You can experience the glacier, go fishing or kayaking in the fjord, and hiking in the mountains, all in one day.”

Folgefonni Breførarlag runs the tourist information called Juklafjord in the centre of the village in an old school building from 1895. It was picked up and moved to

make way for new developments and is now a one-stop shop for both tour and travel bookings.

“Our most popular tours are the glacier trips,” says Bakke. “What is special about Folgefonna is that the road goes all the way up to it, making it extremely accessible and easy to get to.”

“We are only about two hours’ drive from Bergen as well, and daytrips that include both glacier walking and seeing the fjord are very popular.”

Generally glacier tours are between four and six hours long, either on foot or skis. They are suitable for most ages and promise to be an unforgettable experience for all.

For more information, please visit: www.folgefonni-breforarlag.no

A cosy hotel with a turtle collection Idyllically situated on a peninsula in the fjord Sognefjorden is Sognefjord Hotel.

Established shortly after the Second World War, it is still family run and is much loved both for its personal service and location.

By Karin Modig Photos: Fotograf Valderhaug, Creativision, Rolf M Sørensen

“Visitors to this area largely come for the mountains and the fjords, and we are perfectly located for experiencing both,” says hotel director Jack Eggum. “In addition, we are close to many famous attractions, from a UNESCO World Heritage site via stave churches to a wild salmon centre.”

The area offers opportunities for fishing, glacier walking, cycling trips and much more. You can rent boats or cycles through Sognefjord Hotel, and they will

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help you organize a vast range of activities in the area, anything from mountain climbing to beer making.

The medium-sized hotel has 105 beds over 55 rooms; they serve both breakfast and dinner and are also able to cater for private parties such as weddings. “Being the size we are means guests easily feel at home here, and it allows us to develop closer, more personal relationships with them,” says Eggum.

Recently featured on Norwegian television, the hotel is also known for their turtle logo and collection. There is a fascinating story behind the turtle association, and rest assured, it does not mean that customers can expect slow service!

Rather, it is a story of escaping war, the high seas and a lucky encounter with a large sea turtle, and Eggum will happily tell you the story and show off their collection.

For further information, and to learn the story behind the turtle, please visit: www.sognefjordhotel.no

By Karin Modig | Photos: Folgefonni Breførarlag

Alongside beautiful fjords and impressive mountains, the west of Norway is also home to the country’s third largest glacier, Folgefonna, covering an area of more than 200 square kilometres.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Fjord Norway

Historical base camp with a view Eager to showcase the treasures of Møre and Romsdal, Hotel Videseter is the ideal base camp for the adventurous and the more relaxed traveller alike.

By Anette Berve | Photos: Hotel Videseter

family, who took over the hotel twelve years ago.

In the Hjelle Valley, with views over Strynevatnet lake, lies Hotel Videseter, a summer hotel with a keen interest in showcasing what the county has to offer.

Owner Per Garen proclaims that at Hotel Videseter location is given a new definition. “We are very central in the middle of nothing,” he explains. “Some of Norway’s most historic and popular tourist destinations are only a short drive away from the hotel, so it is perfect as a base camp.”

Hotel Videseter is open only during the summer season and is a traditional tourist hotel. Garen explains how their restaurant can house up to 450 people in order to be able to cater to guests of large cruise ships; but it is clear that his interest lies with making sure that the individual guest is taken good care of.

Historical but modern

Cycling – green and personal

The hotel has quite the history itself. The hotel was built in 1903 for travellers passing through on horse and carriage, but in 1960, it was badly damaged by an avalanche. However, through hard work, the hotel reopened the following season. Today, the hotel is run by Per Garen and his

Garen recommends cycling as a perfect activity to get up close and personal with the spectacular nature. A route from Grotli to Videseter is a day trip that has been popular for over 100 years and takes you through several historic places at your own pace. With several information spots

along the route, the Old Stryne Mountain Road makes for the perfect way to navigate through the scenery while learning more about Norway. “There are several varder, or stone constructions, used as road navigation, dating as far back as the time of Harald Finehair, the first Norwegian king in the late 800s,” Garen explains.

Due to the high altitude, the snow does not melt until late summer, creating an almost all-year-round skiing season.

Stryn Summer Ski is just a short drive away, which means that a summer holiday can be combined with a ski trip. It is quite a surreal experience to ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon. At Hotel Videseter, it is quite clear that you can have your cake and eat it too.

For more information, please visit: www.videseter.com

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 61

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Fjord Norway

Organic apples, fjords and glaciers Enjoying your own place in the heart of the most spectacular fjords in Norway could present the opportunity to truly experience the country on your own terms.

Organic apples and organic farming

Sognefjord and attractions Amblegaard is located only a short distance from world-famous attractions such as the old Flåm Railway, the UNESCOlisted Nærøyfjord, the biggest glacier in Europe, Jostedalsbreen, and the Jotunheimen national park. You can also find many old wooden stave churches and nice museums in the region. Ingebjørg recommends taking the ferry from Kaupanger down the Nærøyfjord to truly see the fjords. The area is perfect for hiking, and

When visiting Amblegaard, you will experience a bustling farm up close and personal. You will find many beautiful houses on the farm, with the oldest dating back to 1690. Although the animals they keep are there for ambiance, the foresting and hay production give you an insight into busy farm life. An important part of the farming is also the growth of organic apples. In 2011, Amblegaard won the award for Norway’s best apple juice. Amblegaard puts you on the doorstep of a scenic part of Norway and at the same time lets you experience the Norwegian farming lifestyle.

For more information, please visit: www.amblegaard.no or call: +4757678170

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By Anette Berve | Photo: Amblegaard

The Amblegaard Farm is situated in Kaupanger in the inner part of Sognefjord and has been in the Heiberg family since 1690.

Seven generations of the Heiberg family have run the farm through the centuries, and current owners Ingebjørg and Gjert Heiberg have opened their farm to accommodate guests from all over the world, who come to see the spectacular nature.

Today seven different farm houses are rented out to visitors who want to discover the region. They are all traditional houses and cottages, and are fully restored and modernized. “The old houses date back to 1900-1937 and have a lot of history to them,” explains Ingebjørg. “But we also have two new houses that were built in 2011, all made from our own wood and designed in true Scandinavian style by Ingrid, their ‘architect daughter’. Everything at Amblegaard is treated as a family project.”

all guests are supplied with maps to navigate the terrain. If you like fishing for trout, Amblegaard gives you the opportunity to fish for free in their lakes in the mountains.

ÅL MIN AN D A I THE ND ME TH : ES EA

Life by the sea in Åland and on the coast of Finland The coast of Finland is a beautiful and multifaceted area that seems never-ending; it includes bustling cities and old wooden towns, as well as plenty of nature to explore. The archipelago is full of picturesque islands that invite visitors to relax and enjoy the Finnish summer cottage lifestyle.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Visit Finland

Coastal Finland and its archipelago include a thousand kilometres of coastline and tens of thousands of islands. Some of the most well-known cities and towns along the coast are Turku, Rauma, Hanko and Vaasa.

The small town of Hanko, located only a short distance from Helsinki, is known as the sunniest place in Finland and boasts 130 kilometres of shoreline, of which 30 kilometres consist of beaches with fine sand. Known for its seafaring history, ornate villas and marine charm, Hanko is indeed a unique place within Finland.

For a slice of authentic archipelago life, visit the Åland Islands, which are situated in between Finland and Sweden in the Baltic Sea – only a few nautical miles from Hanko. Boasting plenty of hours of sunshine, the islands are known for hot summers and mild winters.

The Åland Islands form an autonomous and monolingual Swedish region of Finland. With 6,500 islands altogether, 65 of them inhabited, Åland's archipelago is one of the largest in the world. The region is home to 27,500 people; about 11,000 of them live in its only town, Mariehamn.

There is so much to discover and experience in the Finnish coastal area and the archipelago, from culturally thriving cities to seaside cottages with their ubiquitous saunas; you just have to decide whether you want to kick back and take it easy, or explore the varying natural terrain through, for example, boating, cycling or hiking.

For more information, please visit: www.visitfinland.com www.visitaland.com tourism.hanko.fi

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 63

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Åland and the Sea

Drottningberget has been designed with the wellbeing of the residents in mind: the building and its surroundings have to be convenient, functional and comfortable.

Quality housing by the sea in sunny Hanko The town of Hanko is located on the south coast of Finland, only a short distance from Helsinki, and boasts a mild climate and plenty of sunshine. Characterised by its sandy beaches, charming villas and seaside allure, Hanko is an attractive destination for tourists as well as a great hometown for its locals. The Merihanko real estate development project is adding some high-quality waterfront accommodation and a new hotel to the townscape.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Quattrogroup

The Merihanko real estate development project aims to create a modern neighbourhood and housing in an idyllic setting on the Hanko waterfront. The project consist of three parts: the villa-like Hanko Grand, with 26 high-class apartments and commercial premises, Drottningberget, with 170 new apartments by a marina, and Hotel Hanko, a high-quality hotel with Marina Resort Spa & Wellness.

The building of Hanko Grand started in the spring of 2011, with residents moving into

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their new homes at the beginning of July 2012. The apartments aroused great interest and were sold almost immediately.

Drottningberget is currently in its premarketing stage, with around half of the apartments already pre-booked. The first stage will see 48 apartments completed.

Small town charm “The centrally located modern accommodation will have a positive effect on the townscape; new apartments and residents will liven up Hanko. The new project

has also been designed with the town’s history and building traditions in mind,” says marketing manager Anni Saarinen.

Known for its seafaring history, ornate villas and marine charm, Hanko is a unique place within Finland. It is called the sunniest place in Finland, and there is no better place to soak in the rays than on the 130 kilometres of shoreline, 30 kilometres of which consist of beaches with fine sand. The town’s genuine charm makes Hanko a great place to live, and there is never a lack of activities or events to enjoy, from golf to art exhibitions. The archipelago of the Gulf of Finland, the Åland Islands and Turku are only a few nautical miles from Hanko, and you can easily sail to Stockholm, Tallinn or St. Petersburg.

All of the new apartments will afford beautiful sea views, as well as plenty of

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Åland and the Sea

Photos: Tomi Parkkonen

Photo: Hernan Patino, © Hanko Tourist Office

balcony space that totals five tennis courts worth of square metres. “With a marina and the town’s amenities close by, the prerequisites for high-quality accommodation and general satisfaction throughout the year are set in place. The bright apartments have been designed to maximise functionality, comfort and spaciousness,” explains Saarinen.

Drottningberget has been designed with the wellbeing of the future residents in mind: the building and its surroundings have to be convenient, functional and comfortable all year round. The apartments are suitable for both permanent as well as holiday housing. With the project emphasising energy efficiency, social interaction and a modern lifestyle, it will create an intimate and lively milieu within a small town community.

Inspired by the surroundings The Merihanko real estate development project has been inspired by Hanko’s building traditions, colourful history and nature. While the design relies heavily on these aspects, it also still represents modern necessities within a small town.

Photo: Hernan Patino, © Hanko Tourist Office

Drottningberget will offer residents the opportunity to make the most out of each season and enjoy the maritime atmosphere to the fullest, while their lives take on a new rhythm.

Hanko in a nutshell: Founded: 1874 Inhabitants: 9,426 - Finnish speaking 53.6 % - Swedish speaking 43.8 % - others 2.6 % Distances: Helsinki: 127 km Turku: 141 km Tampere: 242 km Quattrogroup: Hangon Rantakiinteistöt Oy, which is part of Quattrogroup, is responsible for the The Merihanko real estate development project. The works are executed by Quattrorakennus Oy. Quattrogroup has gained wide-ranging experience implementing challenging real estate development projects within Finland and internationally.

For more information, please visit: www.merihanko.fi www.quattrogroup.fi tourism.hanko.fi

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 65

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Åland and the Sea

A deep dive into the Åland Islands’ fascinating shipping history The Åland Islands’ Maritime Museum has reopened after two and a half years of renovation and extension works. The permanent exhibition has been redesigned, and it has gone from being a museum mainly for sea dogs to becoming an interactive maritime experience which landlubbers can also enjoy.

By Sara Schedin | Photos: Ålands Sjöfartsmuseum

“We’ve had so much positive feedback since we opened in April, and we’re incredibly proud of our new museum,” says director Hanna Hagmark-Cooper.

The extension to the original building was designed by Johanna Vuorinen and Esa Kangas, and the company Amerikka has done the exhibition design.

“Amerikka has helped us create a space that is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. They have, for example, turned the navigation room into something of an art installation. It used to be only for those who had an interest in compasses, but now it can also be enjoyed just for its beauty alone,” says Hagmark-Cooper.

66 | Issue 41 | June 2012

The idea has been to turn the museum into a hands-on experience, so they have tried to put as little as possible behind glass. For example, you can get into a life raft, climb a mast or load a ship. You can also enter elegant captains’ lounges, the crew’s sleeping quarters, or have a go at singing in the karaoke room.

In addition to all the interactive stations, there is a room especially designed for children, where the ship rat Ruby lives.

Ruby has also built mini exhibitions throughout the museum. One of the museum’s great treasures is a late 18th century North African pirate flag, which was brought to the Åland Islands by a sailor in the 1830s. It is one of two preserved pirate flags in the world.

“We keep it in the curiosity cabinet together with things such as a shark jaw, albatross wings and even a stuffed whale penis! We have a great collection of crazy and fun items that sailors have brought to the island,” says Hagmark-Cooper and laughs.

Entry to the museum’s four-masted cargo-carrying sailing ship Pommern is included in the ticket price. It is the only ship of its kind that has been kept in its original state.

“A visit to the museum and Pommern is important if you want to understand the Åland Islands and our society. Historically, shipping has been very important to us and it still is,” says Hagmark-Cooper.

Opening hours: Summer: Daily 10am – 5pm Winter: Daily 11am – 4pm

For more information, please visit: www.sjofartsmuseum.ax

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

Photo: Anders Westerlind

Hotel of the Month, Sweden

Walk in Wallander’s footsteps and sleep in one of Sweden’s oldest hotels Few places have as much to offer in a small area as Österlen in the south of Sweden.

One of the major towns in the area is Ystad, a picturesque yet modern town. Lately Ystad has received a lot of international attention thanks to the popular police inspector Kurt Wallander. In the middle of the historic town, you will find one of Sweden’s oldest hotels: Hotel Continental Ystad.

By Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt | Photos: Peter Carlsson

Known for its beautiful scenery, gourmet restaurants and rich cultural life, Österlen in the province of Skåne in the south of Sweden has throughout history been home to artists and writers. The pretty town of Ystad is located in the western part of Österlen on the Baltic coast, 40 miles southeast of Malmö. The old characteristic cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings give Ystad a cosy personal atmosphere. Take the plane to Copenhagen, continue on a beautiful car ride to Sweden, crossing the world’s longest border-crossing bridge, and within 90 minutes check in at Hotel Continental in Ystad. Built in1829, it is one of the oldest

hotels in Sweden. Today it is equipped with all the facilities a modern guest can ask for.

for a weekend or during the long and warm summer months when the sun sets late in the evenings.” Garnaeus’s own favourite place is the tiny fishing village of Kåseberga, 18 kilometres east of the town. Here you will find a fish smoke house with a café, a top-quality restaurant and the majestic Ale’s Stones, a “ship setting” of stones dating back to the Iron Age. The stones are situated high above the fishing village. From there you have a 180 degree view of the sea and horizon.

A perfect weekend getaway Annika and Staffan Garnaeus have run Continental Hotel since 1996 and take pride in the personal touch. “It is a small hotel, with only 52 guestrooms,” Garnaeus says. “We can accommodate 50 people for a conference, and the guests are welcome to design their own menus from our extensive selection of international and regional dishes.” The hotel is visited by both conference and private guests. “Being so easy to get to, it is a perfect getaway

Walk in Kurt Wallander’s footsteps The guided tours of Wallander sites are very popular. If you enjoy Henning Mankell’s detective stories about the chief inspector, the tours will take you to all the places you have read about or seen on film.

For more information, please visit: www.hotelcontinental-ystad.se www.ystad.se/tourism

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 67

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

Havreholm Slot – Wake up feeling like royalty Spend the night at Havreholm Slot and you will find yourself waking up in genuine Danish 19th century decadence. Though situated only 35 minutes from Copenhagen, it offers both calmness and picturesque landscapes. Add to this a beautiful sandy beach around the corner.

Culmsee. The castle-like look and the fact that the big boss lived there meant that soon it was commonly known as “the Castle”.

By Katrine Kirch Kirkegaard | Photos: Havreholm Slot

“Today some people still think that this place is only for bourgeois people and that scares them away. But really it isn’t,” says Sørensen.

Even though it really is not a castle – and never was – the word “slot” means castle in Danish. And you could be fooled. Judging by appearance and atmosphere this is a hotel experience out of the ordinary, and you will feel a splash of fairy tales and royalty whilst spending a sunny day in the garden or enjoying an exquisite dinner in the renowned restaurant.

“Havreholm Slot might have a price range slightly above other hotels in the area, but

68 | Issue 41 | June 2012

only slightly. We want to keep it accessible for all, and the whole experience of Havreholm Slot is also worth so much more,” explains Bjarke Sørensen, the proud hotel manager.

He has been in charge of Havreholm Slot since 1 February this year, but the hotel has existed for many years. The main building was originally built in 1872 as the private villa of the Danish lumber baron and paper manufacturer Valdemar

Traditionally Danish Still, Bjarke Sørensen likes to be reminded of the decadent history of the hotel on a daily basis.

“We find it very important to preserve history and the many tales of old traditional Denmark in the hotel. So many stories and so many great Danes have imprinted

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

the rooms here,” tells Bjarke Sørensen.

Several classic cultural icons actually have their roots at Havreholm Slot. The famous Danish writer and Nobel Prize winner Henrik Pontoppidan lived in the tall tower of Havreholm in 1898-1904 when writing “Lucky Per” – his widely acclaimed eight-volume work. And so did the poet Holger Drachmann in 1885 as he composed “Midsommervisen” (Midsummer Hymn) – the unofficial Danish national hymn.

A more physical piece of evidence of history is in the great dining room, where the walls are decorated with six large and six smaller mural paintings displaying the Creation and the Garden of Eden. These were made when the villa was founded by the Danish painter and artist Joakim Skovgaard, who spent three years working on the project.

Popular getaway Many years have passed since Valdemar Culmsee was king of the castle, and the building has served several purposes during the years. In 1984, it was turned into a hotel, and 27 new guest houses were added to the property.

Today, Havreholm Slot is a popular getaway surrounded by forest, parks and lakes, and it is visited by people from all over the country, who enjoy the hotel as

well as the nature and beach nearby.

Many large companies use the facilities for conferences and courses, and the hotel is also ideal for hosting big parties like weddings and anniversaries.

“As the host of the hotel, I prioritize warm and personal service, high quality and an excellent cuisine. The gastronomic experience really is key in giving our guests the best stay,” Bjarke Sørensen stresses.

The kitchen at Havreholm serves traditional gourmet food made with local, organic ingredients. And the restaurant can also be visited by guests not staying at the hotel. A three-course dinner in the restaurant costs around £50.

So if you need a relaxing weekend laying on the terrace, an active stay with golfing, tennis and swimming, or just a perfect dinner in historical settings, Havreholm Slot is the place.

“We are proud of the quality of the service at Havreholm Slot, and we take pride in giving our guests a personal experience.

From the first phone call you make to the hotel until the day you check out, you will meet the same professional receptionist – especially assigned to your booking.

That’s important to us,” says Bjarke Sørensen.

In the near future, Havreholm Slot will also offer different theme weekends such as “Spa & Massage Weekend” for the girls or “Gentlemen’s Lounge” for the gents.

Havreholm Slot Klosterrisvej 4, 3100 Hornbæk Tel. +45 49 75 86 00 Email: havreholm@havreholm.dk

For more information, please visit: www.havreholm.dk

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 69

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway

A harmonious hotel in the heart of Hardanger With its glaciers and waterfalls, its famous mountain plateau, blooming apple trees and majestic mountains crashing into a clear, blue fjord, the district of Hardanger is the epitome of Norwegian nature at its finest. In the small village of Ulvik at the head of the Hardangerfjord lies Brakanes Hotel, a traditional hotel with top facilities and a long and colourful history.

community, is the reason why guests come back year after year. “Some of the employees at the hotel have worked here for 40 years, and they take excellent care of our guests.”

Quality and tradition

By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Brakanes Hotel

Founded by Sjur Lindebrekke as far back as in 1860, Brakanes Hotel started out as a coaching inn hosting travellers looking for a bed for the night. In 2010, the hotel celebrated its 150th anniversary, having seen three centuries and two world wars, the second of which saw German ships bombing Ulvik village and burning the hotel to the ground. Undaunted Lindebrekke’s two granddaughters, Sara and Marta, rebuilt the hotel that today hosts an endless stream of

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tourists wishing to experience Ulvik – the pearl of Hardanger.

“Our guests get to open their veranda doors in the morning and experience the peace and quiet while being surrounded by incredible nature you won’t find anywhere else in the world,” says sales consultant for the hotel Ingrid Prestegard. She believes the relaxing and secluded atmosphere, along with the hospitality of both the hotel and the

Brakanes Hotel combines the comforts of modern-day life with traditions from the 19th century. “There are no plastic furniture or modern gadgets at our hotel,” says Prestegard. The hotel has a traditional Norwegian interior with large, sturdy romantic furniture. It has everything you need in terms of facilities with 143 guestrooms, conference rooms, a restaurant, salon and bar, aroma therapy, fitness amenities, wireless internet throughout the hotel, a play room for the kids, a patio to relax on, and a beautiful garden that ends in the fjord.

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Owned by Per Ove Pedersen, the hotel is the flagship of Brakanes Hotel Group, a group of six hotels spread out in Hardanger and neighbouring district Voss, all offering unique locations to visit. Sitting at the head of the Hardangerfjord, Brakanes Hotel is a natural gathering point in the Hardanger district and hosts a myriad of guests throughout the year – from international tourists from every corner of the world to conferences and conventions, as well as banquet dinners and wedding parties.

Known for hosting large gatherings of up to 500 people, the hotel prides itself on serving only the best quality food, no matter how many people are seated at the table.

“We make most of the food ourselves and focus on using local produce,” says Prestegard. Everything from the plum jam you spread on a piece of toast in the morning and the glass of apple juice that goes with it, to the tender lamb roast on your dinner plate in the evening comes from farms just around the corner from the hotel.

Apple Tree Walk Apart from the beautiful Hardangerfjord and the mountain plateau Hardangervidda, Hardanger is perhaps best known for its fruit groves and especially the blooming apple trees in spring time. In cooperation with three local farms, Brakanes Hotel created the Apple Tree Walk - a day trip during which participants visit Hardanger Saft og Siderfabrikk (Hardanger Squash and Cider Pro-

Above left: Known for hosting large gatherings of up to 500 people, the hotel prides itself on serving only the best quality food. Below: Taste some local cider on the Apple Tree Walk. Right: Hardanger is known for its fruit groves and especially the blooming apple trees in spring time.

duction), Syse Gard (Syse Farm) and Ulvik Frukt og Cideri (Ulvik Fruit and Cidery).

these to bring out the best tastes. “It is a great hike that a lot of people can enjoy.”

“This is a very special adventure on which people get to experience something very different. It’s the perfect break from a business conference,” says Prestegard. The three farms all have something special to offer. At Hardanger Saft og Siderfabrikk, guests get to taste local apple squash, cider and apple liquor. Syse Gard invites people in for a closer look at the everyday life at a family-run fruit and sheep farm, as well as for a taste of the food it produces.

Ulvik Frukt og Cideri focuses on older, traditional apple types and experiments with

There are plenty of other activities around the hotel as well, amongst them a Stone Age-themed base camp. “The good thing about a small place like Ulvik is that people are always together. They don’t run off in separate directions to go shopping or go to the pub,” says Prestegard. “So take a trip to Ulvik and Brakanes Hotel, and enjoy a glass of cider by the fjord!”

For more information, please visit: www.brakanes-hotel.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 71

Photo: Haukur Snorrason

Some great thematic ideas for personalised tours with Isafold Travel that might inspire travellers include bird watching, culinary, photography, hiking and geology.

Attraction of the Month, Iceland

Experience Iceland – on your own terms “Private Tours – Personal Touch”, Isafold Travel’s slogan already gives you a good idea of how much freedom you will have with this dynamic tour operator. With customer satisfaction as their top priority, Isafold Travel offers scheduled, thematic tours, as well as private, personalised tours, created from scratch.

each group; so we are able to suggest the right kind of tour experience. In the end, we do as the client wishes, from pickups from the airport to sorting out their food and accommodation.”

Some great thematic ideas that might inspire travellers include bird watching, culinary, photography, hiking, geology, and soon available, an Arctic art tour. You can, of course, just choose one of the prearranged tours without amending it further.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Isafold Travel

“We pretty much invent the wheel with every personalised tour,” says Jón Baldur Þorbjörnsson, who founded Isafold Travel in 1997. “We like to be creative as it helps us keep going. We listen to the requests of our customers, see what they’re all about, what their vision is, and make a new tour from scratch.”

The original idea behind Isafold Travel has always been to include a more personal touch in smaller group tours. Jón Baldur believes that smaller groups afford them much more flexibility, with their usual group size being around 6-12 people.

Isafold Travel started off as a “one-man band” and today includes, together with sister company 4x4 rental Isak ltd., eight employees. The tour operator does not

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employ full-time guides, but instead relies on a range of quality guides with the best credentials and in-depth knowledge of the area and activities available.

With all kinds of groups, from families to experience-hungry friends, contacting Isafold Travel for their private guided tours, Jón Baldur and his team have their work cut out for them to create experiences especially suited for each group.

“A lot of people want to see the sights of Iceland, the geysers and glaciers, but the activities differ a lot. People are always interested in experiencing the space of Iceland to enjoy the nature. They might have something special in mind like, for example, a day of angling, but we normally get a feeling of what would be interesting for

Most of the tours include a guide, but you could also choose a U-Drive Package, which gives individuals the chance to drive a specially modified Land Rover Defender into the interior of Iceland on their own, with the routes prearranged in a GPS device. This is the first time a tour operator is offering travellers the opportunity to rent such a car – a real innovation, Jón Baldur notes.

For more information, please visit: www.isafoldtravel.is

Above left: With its many tracks and activities, Musicon is a haven for roller skaters and skateboarders. Top middle: This is how amazing Musicon will look when Denmark’s Museum of Rock Music and the Roskilde Festival headquarters are finished (Photo: MVRDV & Cobe). Below: The musical swings in the Pixl Park are one of Musicon’s many popular attractions for youngsters. Right and below: Musicon’s visitors can experience a wide range of events like art exhibitions, concerts, markets and dance performances.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Enjoy a musical swing in Roskilde’s new cultural hub In the vacated buildings of an old concrete factory in Roskilde, a new neighbourhood, unlike any other, is under way. Musicon is the name of the 250,000-square-metre area, which is set to house Denmark’s Museum of Rock Music, the headquarters of the world famous Roskilde Festival and much, much more.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Musicon

The ambitious project, which was initiated by Roskilde municipality, took off in 2008, when the first four investors signed up. Today, more than 30 small and big projects are part of the development, or on their way to be so, and visitors can experience not just a unique development project with remarkable parks and activities but also an array of events – last year more than 70 took place.

Making music Among Musicon’s newest projects, being finalised in August this summer, is the Rabalder Park, the world’s first industrial drainage system, which is also a park with skate activities. “If you visit us during the weekends, there are always an array of experiences to try out; I would stop by the open art workshops, visit the skate centre, where youths from all over Zealand

gather, go for a walk in the 40,000square-metre Rabalder Park or swing in the Pixl Park,” explains communications manager at Musicon Lise Hammershøj.

The Pixl Park is an interactive playground for kids and youngsters, which includes a very popular set of musical swings (music is activated by the motion of the swings).

The parks are open 24/7, and Musicon also provides the setting for a range of bigger events, such as concerts, dance performances and flea markets (for dates see website).

Room for more Though much is already happening and much more is under way, there is still plenty of room for new ideas and projects.

The vision is that in ten to fifteen years, the new area should be complete with cafes, businesses, workshops and creative housing quarters side by side. “The ambition of the municipality is to create a musical neighbourhood, where there is room for both events and activities, and creative homes, businesses and shops. We aim to create 650 new homes and 2,000 new workplaces,” explains Hammershøj.

If you are interested in visiting Musicon or becoming part of the development, you can find more information on: www.musicon.dk

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 73

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden

Above left: Mario Merz, Objet Cache-Toi, 1968. © Mario Merz, Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg. Photo: Helge Mundt. Right: Mario Merz, Salamino, 1966. © Mario Merz, Col. Fundação de Serralves - Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Porto. Photo: Filipe Braga

Attraction of the Month, Sweden

Where local culture and academia meet global art Having just opened the doors to its brand new seven-floor museum building, there is an exciting time ahead for Bildmuseet in Umeå. Designed by the Danish architect firm Henning Larsen Architects, the building with its eye-catching larch wood façade was built as part of its new Arts Campus right on the bank of the Ume River, alongside the architecture, fine arts and design institutions of Umeå University.

By Linnea Dunne

“We are a public art museum, but we’re part of the university,” museum director Katarina Pierre explains. “The new location means that we can establish new, exciting collaborations with the different academic institutions.”

A 30-year-old institution in the northern Swedish town, Bildmuseet has been housing the graduate exhibitions of the university’s fine arts students for two decades, a tradition bound to continue.

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The connection to the university is a resource rather than a restriction, with access to researchers and students of all different academic disciplines opening the door to artistic collaborations with political scientists, gender studies researchers and everything in between.

The main focus, however, is and always was on international contemporary art, which is evident from a quick glance at the upcoming programme. “We have a lot of

creative freedom,” says Pierre. “We do what we want and always try to produce as exciting exhibitions as possible, including a huge effort put in educational activities and an open pre-school. It’s all about the place where the local meets the global – that’s what I love about my job.”

Summer exhibition with breadth 20 June marks an important milestone as four summer exhibitions are opening then. International collaborations have always played a key role in Bildmuseet’s offerings, and this summer is no different.

The main attraction is expected to be the Mario Merz exhibition, What Is to Be Done?, which is the Italian Arte Povera artist’s first solo show in Sweden since 1983. Presented in collaboration with the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, the retro-

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden

spective exhibition ponders the role of the artist in society and showcases Merz’s famous igloo structures and other sculptures and installations.

Kirunatopia: In the Shadow of the Future is an exhibition of an even more groundbreaking kind, exploring a town in transition. Having taken up residence in the old mining town of Kiruna, 12 Swedish and international artists examine the effects of a rapidly changing town on its inhabitants, as a result of the geographical move of the town itself away from the ore mining area which is closing in on itself due to erosion.

As Sweden’s northernmost town and one of the most lucrative ore deposits in the world, Kiruna has a strong economic, political and social history, and the exhibition asks what memories will disappear and what new ones will be created.

The show is presented in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Sweden and Konsthall C in Stockholm.

A window for the public Complemented by another two exhibitions, Marco Scotini’s Disobedience Archive (The Parliament) and Björn Berg’s Not a Day Without a Line Drawn, as well as a series of public lectures, film screenings and artist talks, the shows promise to make Bildmuseet’s first summer in the new premises at the Umeå Arts Campus one to remember – and one pinpointing the breadth and ambition of the museum.

“Our main focus is international contemporary art, but we want to make sure that our offering is varied, and will always complement the contemporary shows with retrospective exhibitions or exhibitions on visual culture,” says Pierre. Having worked at Bildmuseet in one capacity or another ever since 1995, she cannot imagine a more rewarding job. “It really is something quite special to get to be a part of the university and to be in contact with researchers and students in all fields and disciplines.”

For more information, please visit: www.bildmuseet.umu.se

Top left: Museum director Katarina Pierre and the view from Bildmuseet at the new Arts Campus. Photo: Polly Yassin.

Below: Exhibition hall at the new Bildmuseet premises at Arts Campus. Architecture: Henning Larsen Architects. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman.© Åke E:son Lindman.

Right top: Brand new seven-floor premises at Arts Campus (the tallest building visible here), designed by the Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects.

Below: Interior design and winter view across the Ume River from the reception area. Photo: Mikael Lundgren.

Above left: Florian Zeyfang, Ghosttrain (video still), 2012. Kirunatopia.

Right: Liselotte Wajstedt, Framtid (from the documentary film Rymdvägen), 2012. Kirunatopia

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

20 Jun to 2 Sep

Mario Merz: What Is to Be Done?

Disobedience Archive (The Parliament): Marco Scotini

Major retrospective exhibition about the late Arte Povera artist. Collaboration between Bildmuseet and the Henry Moore Institute.

A video archive stretching from the 70s until today, discussing the relationship between artistic practices and political action.

20 Jun to 30 Sep

20 Jun to 28 Oct

Kirunatopia: In the Shadow of the Future A changing city, interpreted by 12 Swedish and international artists.

20 Jun to 2 Sep

Björn Berg: Not a Day Without a Line Drawn Exhibition showcasing the work of one of Sweden’s most beloved children’s book illustrators.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 75

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

Attraction of the Month, Norway

Secret-recipe buns and spectacular views high above Bergen Unrivalled panoramic views and fine locally produced food are just some of the things on offer at the top of Ulriken, the highest of seven mountains that surround Norway’s second largest city.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Ulriken643

Ulriken can be reached by cable car from the city centre, a trip that offers stunning views of the city below, the fjords and the surrounding mountains. The popular cable cars have been running since 1961 and underwent substantial refurbishment in 2009.

“What is so fantastic about the cable car is that it takes you straight from the city centre to the top of a mountain and into nature in five to ten minutes,” says Anthony Hutchinson, general manager of Ulriken 643. “It is pretty wild up there, and the views are unbelievable.”

Ulriken 643 is the joint brand for all businesses connected to the 643-metre high

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mountain, and is a one-stop shop to everything on offer. From marvelling at the view from the viewing platform to shopping for designer mountain wear, Ulriken has something for everyone.

The mountain is also home to Bergen’s highest restaurant, the three-year-old Restaurant sky:scraper, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer everything from simple lunchtime snacks, such as their famous secret-recipe Ulriken Bun, of which they sold over 14,000 last year, to an evening à la carte menu.

“Our menu is very much dictated by what produce is available to us, and we have a great kitchen team working their magic

with locally sourced and produced food,” says Hutchinson. The view obviously adds to the dining experience and so does the perfectly formed wine list. With a fourcourse set menu priced at 643 Norwegian kroner, the price is right as well.

“The restaurant is often used for meetings and private functions,” says Hutchinson, “and has proven to be a very popular spot for weddings in particular.” Ulriken 643 is licensed to hold wedding ceremonies, so it can offer the full package, from transport by cable car to ceremony and wedding reception, perfect for those looking for a wedding venue with a difference.

Ulriken 643 is a year-round operation, and summer opening times (May – September) are 9am to 9pm.

For more information, please visit: www.ulriken643.no

Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | Bosøre Strand Feriepark

Fairy tales and friendliness make Bøsøre the number one campsite in Scandinavia At Scandinavia’s number one campsite, Bøsøre Strand Feriepark, fairy tales, friendliness and beautiful surroundings make camping in Denmark a five-star experience.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Bøsøre Strand Feriepark

The eastern Funen campsite, which was, after a three-year survey by the Norwegian newspaper VG, rated number one out of all campsites in Scandinavia, is run and owned by Helle Ålkjær Skifter. Twenty years ago, she took over the then onestar site and has, since then, inspired by Denmark’s greatest writer Hans Christian Andersen, turned the site into a fivestar fairy-tale land.

“All the activities we have here, the playground, the water park and mini-golf course, are decorated with items and figures from H.C. Andersen’s fairy tales,” says Helle. “It seemed natural to create a fairy tale themed park because it fitted the beautiful surroundings with all the old manor houses so well. H.C. Andersen himself spent much time in the nearby

Glorup Castle and favoured, it is said, long walks on our beach.”

Bøsøre Strand Feriepark is based around the characteristic Bøsøre manor house and a 200-year-old old farm, in which many of the site’s leisure facilities are found; the old byre has been converted into a cinema, and, in the manor house, the Fairytale Inn serves up traditional Danish dishes. “During the summer, we also have a string of events; we have a very popular children’s entertainer doing magic and games on the beach, live music in the old byre, and horseback trips for all levels, from pony rides to nature tracks,” says Helle.

It is, however, not all about activities at Bøsøre; spanning 14 hectares of land and

with beach and nature walks right by, there are plenty of possibilities to find a quiet corner to just unwind and listen to the birds. “We actually have a very relaxed and tranquil atmosphere here because a lot of the activities are centred around the manor house and farm, which means that it is even quieter on the campsite because a lot of guests, especially children, are drawn to the centre,” explains Helle.

Facts: Bøsøre Strand Feriepark rents out huts and caravans and has 350 spots for camping.

Bøsøre Strand Feriepark has been awarded five stars (the highest possible number) by the Danish Camping Board.

For more information, please visit: www.bosore.dk

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 77

Scan Magazine | Retsaurant of the Month | Norway

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Asian cuisine in a trendy package Nodee Asian Cooking is not your average local Asian restaurant. Located opposite the Frogner Park in the Norwegian capital, Nodee attracts a fashionable and trendy crowd matching the vibe of the restaurant itself. This is a restaurant with focus on high-quality Asian food where guests can enjoy dishes from several Asian cuisines – including Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese.

By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Nodee Asian Cooking

Founded in 2003, Nodee has traditionally appealed to a financially strong clientele, an image CEO Sanh Tran Ngoc says is now changing. “We have a menu suited for all kinds of customers and wish to reach out to the public as a whole,” says Mr Tran. He wants to attract customers of all ages and from all social groups.

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He stresses that even though Nodee brands itself as a high-class Asian restaurant, the prices are not as high as those of most gourmet places in Oslo. “When it comes to our prices, we are probably slightly above the average, but for the type of restaurant we wish to be, I would say our prices are good, especially in regard to the quality of the food,” he says.

Nine years in the running, the restaurant has built up a solid reputation among diners in the capital and has received several good reviews in papers and magazines.

Mr Tran has gathered an experienced staff and creative chefs committed to giving guests a dining experience they will remember fondly.

He is quick to praise his head chefs – Tat, the head sushi chef, and Lung, head chef of the Asian kitchen. The restaurant features several signature dishes made by the two. “Some examples from our sushi menu are foie gras with sliced breast of duck on red wine marinated sushi rice or a lightly grilled hamachi belly with

manchego cheese,” says Mr Tran. From the Asian kitchen, guests can choose to start their meal with a signature entrée of lightly smoked, grilled king crab and lobster with mizo and yuzu sauce.

Something for everyone Nodee Asian Cooking is divided into four areas and recently completed a facelift.

The main room has a bright, relaxing feel to it and has a cosy fireplace to warm the guests during the cold Norwegian winters.

In the traditional sushi-bar, guests are seated around the cooking area and may order their food directly from the skilled and experienced chefs preparing the meal in the middle of the bar, right in front of the customers.

The Zen Room is Nodee’s secluded function room, available for reservation for groups of up to 30 people. “This is a room that really stands out as it is almost entirely separated from the rest of the restaurant and has a view to our extensive wine cellar,” says Mr Tran. Traditionally used for company dinners, the function room is suitable for most dinner events.

“We offer set menus, or we can take orders from the individual guests. We can adjust to whatever the customer wishes and provide an offer tailor-made for each customer.”

Have a drink on the patio Nodee has a fully licensed outdoor patio area with a new bar and a stocked drinks menu. Perfect for hot summer days, a pergola roof and heating lamps make sure customers can enjoy outdoor service in all weather conditions. An option for those who wish to enjoy their meal outside in the sun, this is also a place where friends can meet for cocktails or enjoy one of several brands of Asian beer. Of course the menu also offers traditional Japanese sake, as well as Shōchū, a type of Japanese spirits rapidly growing in popularity on the Asian market.

Another thing that adds to Nodee’s reputation as a modern and trendy place to dine is its late service hours. While the

kitchen and the outdoor alcohol service close at 11 pm, guests are welcome to stay as late as 1 am most days. Combined with a vibrant scene around Majorstuen, where the restaurant is located, and easy access to the city centre, this makes Nodee a great place to start a night out as

well as having a nice relaxed dinner with friends or family.

For more information, please visit: www.nodee.no

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 79

Scan Magazine | Retsaurant of the Month | Denmark

Restaurant Manager Aziz Hansen and Head Chef Jonas Arildsen have big ambitions for the newly opened Restaurant G.

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Find the food, wine and atmosphere of Provence in the heart of Copenhagen Located in the buzzing Gyldenløvesgade a few minutes’ walk from Copenhagen’s beautiful Town Hall, newly opened Restaurant G gives Francophiles full value for their money with a classic Provence menu and atmosphere.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Restaurant G

Having been put into the ambitious hands of head chef Jonas Arildsen and restaurant manager Aziz Hansen, the restaurant, which is owned by the adjoining First Hotel, opened up in September last year.

“What has been my ambition from when I first started here and what I think we have successfully created is a classic French bistro focusing on the Provence area with high service levels and a friendly down-toearth atmosphere,” explains restaurant manager Aziz Hansen, who has gathered his experience in restaurant management

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and development from a series of wellknown and successful venues, including Lundum’s Restaurant in London, Soho Hotel and, most recently, Bar Jacobsen at the Carlsberg Breweries.

Superb classics In charge of Restaurant G’s kitchen is head chef Arildsen. Trained in classic French cuisine and with first-hand experience of the kitchen of Provence from La Petite Sirene in Nice, Arildsen has created a classic à la carte bistro menu, with sig-

nature French dishes, such as moules frites and crème brûlée. This menu is complemented by an à la carte lunch menu with a mix of light freshly prepared lunch dishes, such as croque-monsieur and steak sandwich, and, finally, a set monthly dinner menu offers the ultimate treat for discerning palates with three to five delicate courses with fresh seasonal ingredients. “Our food originates from my French cooking with high-quality Nordic and European ingredients; it’s a refined bistro menu, which follows the times,” explains Arildsen.

The menu can be accompanied by a carefully selected wine menu, with wines from France and the rest of Europe as well as the new wine regions. “We will be serving

Scan Magazine | Retsaurant of the Month | Denmark

top-quality French wines but at a price level where people will recognize some of the bottles,” explains Aiziz Hansen.

Provence, outside in the sun or on warm summer nights.

The real experience

Come inside Just as the food, the interior and style of Restaurant G is kept in line with the setting of a Provence bistro, creating a comfortable and down-to-earth atmosphere.

Together with the reasonable price levels (a three-course dinner menu is priced at 300DKKR), this attracts a wide range of guests. “We have everyone coming here: travellers who just stumble upon us and enjoy a simple lunch, couples out for a romantic dinner, and, of course, business travellers and conference guests from the adjoining First Hotel. Some come to just relax after a long day and others bring their business connections; we can cater for it all,” explains Aziz Hansen. “In the evening, we touch up the table arrangements a notch or two with wine glasses and so on to adjust to our guests and create a more classic setting matching the menu.”

With traditional bistro tables surrounding the restaurant, it is also possible, the Danish summer weather permitting, to enjoy your Provence meal the way they do in

With more than a decade of experience in the business, Aziz Hansen has no doubt that Restaurant G will become one of Copenhagen’s favourite French restaurants. “We have fantastic food, fantastic service, a relaxed atmosphere and a recognizable concept, which makes it easy for people to know what kind of experience they will get if they come back,” he explains. “When I started here, I had very specific ambitions and visions for the place; when people come here, I want to give them a special experience - that is very important to me. Some people only go out once a year, others once a month, but no matter what, that one experience has to be worth it; it has to be something they remember.”

Watching life go by in the buzzing centre of Copenhagen while enjoying a bowl of moules frites and a cold glass of white wine is, a Francophile like me would think, definitely worth remembering. If you too fancy a bite of France and a night out in the Danish capital, take the short stroll from the city’s centre and see for yourself

what Copenhagen’s new French haven can offer.

Special offer for Scan Magazine readers: Guests at Restaurant G referring to this article will receive: For lunch: free coffee and 15 per cent off all desserts For dinner: A free glass of Crémant Offer valid until 1 August 2012.

For more information, please visit: www.restaurantg.dk

Top left: Head Chef Jonas Arildsen is trained in the classic French cuisine having gathered experience from, among other places, the Provence region. Below: Restaurant Manager Aziz Hansen has gathered experience in restaurant management at a series of well-known venues including the Lundums Restaurant in London, Soho Hotel and, most recently, Bar Jacobsen at the Carlsberg Breweries. Right: Restaurant G specialises in French cuisine with high-quality Nordic and European ingredients.

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Scan Magazine | Column | A Bridge too Far

A Bridge too Far Column by Lars Tharp | Photo: Agnete Schlichtkrull, DR

I was six on the day our boat arrived in England, on 27 March 1960. Each year thereafter our family returned to Denmark for holidays. At first it was by train from Liverpool Street to Harwich; then 19 hours by boat over the North Sea. A cabin with laddered bunk beds where, if not feeling sick, you could read. Next day, if the wind was in the east, we sometimes caught the smell of herring factories in Esbjerg as the smudge of the Danish coastline crept onto the horizon. Hours later, usually around noon, once tied up alongside, the crated VIP cars were hoisted out of the ship’s hold by quayside cranes while we foot passengers, bulging with baggage, shuffled in line down the bouncing gangplank onto the Danish tarmac below. Always a frisson as I passed over that immense drop into green water between ship and quayside. A few hundred yards, through customs, and we climb onto the rust brown carriages of “Englænderen”, a train so important to Anglo-Danish relations that it actually had its own swanky name. Then across the flat neck of Jutland, first to Fredericia, where Onkel Knud and Tante Helga would find our carriage during our 15-minute stop. They came armed with flowers, liquorice and sweets, as well as a 10-Krone note to be

treasured and spent later in Copenhagen’s Tivoli or in Thorngreen - the best toy shop in the world.

The old bridge over the Little Belt. Photo: Ole Olsen

Smiles and tears, waving handkerchiefs, and slowly the train pulls out, disconcertingly in the direction we had come in.

Eventually the train banks and squeaks along a track which curves off towards the impressive grey iron bridge connecting Jutland to Fyn. The roar of girders as we rattle high above the blue water of the Little Belt - a crossing previously monopolized by one of those toy ferries which to this day still operate among the more obscure Scandinavian islands. We just catch a fleeting, flying view below of the naughtily named town of Middelfart, a once busy little ferry town, its ferrying days long since gone, now sleeping under the Bridge.

Then on through the Garden Island of Fyn, stopping briefly in Odense, and then to Fyn’s eastern seaboard at Nyborg, with its railway marshalling yards. Carriage by carriage the train is divided; we are shunted in pairs back and forth and down the ramp we creak, clattering onto the tracks of one of the team of Great Belt ferries. These old workhorses, with their cylindrical funnels banded in black, red and white - the DSB livery - churned the waters twixt Fyn and Sjaelland, day in, day out, come rain or shine. In winter, icebreakers are needed to plough a channel through the slushy grey ice flows. Secured on board, we descend from the railway carriage and edge along oily bulkheads through the greasy smell of diesel towards an incredibly heavy sliding iron door, rust leaking along its edges. The clanking crowd ascends a near-vertical flight of steps, and we spill out into a saloon selling all those things hankered for in the months of exile in England: Danish salt liquorice, the weekly Anders And (Donald Duck) comic and, aha, smørrebrød. Those famous open sandwiches, the best being a warm, breaded fish fillet served on rye with dollops of yellow remoulade (a sort of gherkin-based tartar sauce). And now, as I tuck into the au-

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 83

Scan Magazine | Column | A Bridge too Far The Great Belt Bridge. Photo: Nicolai Perjesi

But then, a few years ago, mysterious giant towers appeared at sea, right in the middle of the Great Belt, seen off to port as we sailed past. They were building a bridge: a spectacular bridge, 17 kilometres long, part tunnelled in rock. And soon after that, another bridge-cum-tunnel was to link Copenhagen to Malmö – the very Bridge on which the latest SwedishDanish thriller TV epic opens and closes.

And there’s more: with a project already approved, a 19-kilometre bridge is planned, linking Denmark and Germany across the Fehmarn Strait (opening 2018).

Soon it will be possible to drive from Gibraltar to Norway’s North Cape (5615 km) in less than two and a half days - no ferries required. And should the plans to link Spain and Africa across/under the Straits of Gibraltar (agreed in principle in 2003) come to pass… welcome to the PanEuro-African Highway! Just as we all run out of petrol or the money to pay for it. thentic taste of Denmark for the first time in ten months, the ship’s propellers grind and rumble; cranes and bollards pass our windows as we head out into the Great Belt. Fifty minutes at sea.

We know we’ve arrived in Korsør when, having been called to return to our carriages and blind to the outside world, we lurch as the ferry nudges into the stanchions, once, twice, sometimes three times. Bells, the clank of chains, the whine of the ship’s bows as they lift, the

rattle of couplings as all the carriages are heaved like entrails from the ferry’s belly and reconnected ashore. As the afternoon tires, it’s another two hours over Zealand to Copenhagen, a capital on the eastern extreme of the country it rules. In those early years, my grandparents would be there at Copenhagen Central, waiting with great big smiles at the top of the stairs. Their ghosts still hover there today as we meet our daughters. And the station remains the stylish beamed space created in 1911.

The Øresund Bridge. Photo: Nikos Roussos, Wikimedia Commons

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This headlong haste to iron out the sights, the sounds, the smells and the difference of place seems part of our human madness. It brings to mind another famous bridge, the one on which stands a skullheaded figure, clasping his ears. And just in case you hadn’t heard (see my column in Scan Magazine, Issue 39), Munch’s much publicised Scream (#4) did indeed achieve the anticipated world record auction price in New York, thehammer falling at $119.9m (£74m). It’s an image which should signpost all our bridges.

Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia from the crime hit The Bridge. Photo: Malthe Risager Jørgensen, DR

Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who sometimes feels confused about the social code of phone communication?

I mean, how are you supposed to react upon hearing this last bit of a voicemail left on my phone: “It’s Julie. Call me back. It’s urgent.

I’m about to book the tickets for our trip to Rome”?

Logic would dictate that step one would be to call Julie. What held me back was the minor detail that Julie started the message with a confident “Hi Bill”.

And I don’t know who Bill is. Nor do I know Julie. Which is why I found it a bit much to call her back. What was I supposed to say? “Hi Julie. I just wanted to let you know I’m not Bill.” Wouldn’t that seem weird? Adding a polite “Oh, and have a great trip to Rome” would seem downright creepy.

Still, I couldn’t stop wondering about Julie. Did Bill call her by coincidence, or had she been cursing him for hours for

not calling her back? Maybe she never went to Rome? Or maybe she went with someone else, thinking “That will teach Bill not to call me back.”

That was Julie, but then there was Jennifer. She left me about a gazillion messages in the firm belief that my name was Richard. She would call late at night when my phone was off, thus leading her straight to my generic voicemail. Jennifer, it seemed, preferred to get a little buzz on before contacting Richard. She would start out with an inviting “Richard, honey” and would become progressively sultry as the evening went into the wee hours. At a certain point frustration set in, and “Richard honey” would be exchanged with a “Richard you f******* bastard”.

At first I thought it was a one-time mistake (much like Richard must have thought of Jennifer, it seemed) but when

Midsummer crayfish

My boyfriend has acquired a lot of his knowledge of Sweden from watching the TV series Wallander. Consequently, he has an image in his head of us Swedes running tirelessly through glorious rape fields, gun in hand, chasing criminals, or standing around in seaside cottages, sipping on large glasses of whiskey while staring mournfully out at the sea. (Not an altogether incorrect view of Sweden minus the gun and the criminal-chasing.)

this pattern repeated itself I had no choice. I had to end the madness.

I have now, in anticipation of avoiding further mishaps, recorded a personal voicemail introduction to substitute the generic one: “Hi. My name is neither Richard nor Bill. Please leave a message ONLY if you want to speak to Mette.”

Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.

By Maria Smedstad

One of the things that has particularly embedded itself in my other half’s brain is a scene where the Wallander characters are enjoying a kräftskiva, a traditional yearly event celebrating the crayfish season. For those of you not familiar with a kräftskiva, picture a small gathering of inebriated, cold people sitting stubbornly around an outdoor table despite the autumn chill, sucking at the innards of a crustacean and drinking snaps, all whilst wearing a conical little paper hat, secured with an elastic band under the chin. This – in my boyfriend’s mind – seems like heaven. Enough so for him to book us tickets to go and see my family this midsummer, which he has assumed is the correct time for the kräftskiva. It’s an easy mistake to make – midsummer is the time of year when Swedes sit around an outdoor table and drink snaps wearing hats made out of flowers, not paper. My mum has happily taken on the challenge of an out-of-season kräftskiva with promises

of imported crayfish and improvised hats.

This might even become a new tradition!

Perhaps it could replace some of the traditional midsummer activities, like the one where we dance around a giant phallic symbol, pretending to be frogs? I don’t think that even Wallander could make that tradition seem appealing.

Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 85

Scan Business | Key Note | Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There!

Scan Business Business Column 86 | Business Features 88 | Conferences of the Month 98 | Business Calendar 104

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Don’t just do something, sit there!

By Paul Blackhurst, Client Director, Mannaz

It feels good to be wanted. I watch in amazement every time my plane lands and the “Crackberry” addicts fire up their machines as soon as the tyres hit the runway, well before the engines have stopped, and despite the requests of the cabin crew not to risk interfering with aircraft communications.

To improve things rather than repeating the past, we need to stop running. Learning theory informs us that reflecting on activity, making meaning of our experiences and planning to do something differently next time is as essential as being busy doing the activity. Your golf swing does not get better through mindless repetition, but from conscious practice, which includes feedback from reality and conscious adjustments until the objective of a decent swing or a decent putt is achieved.

It’s the same challenge with client relationships, business presentations, sales meetings, etc. We need to create space for reflection and planning and to do that we may need to quit our addiction to activity and adrenaline.

Nothing wrong with that you might say – I love hard work, I could watch it all day!

And consider the productivity. In the old days, if you were kept waiting, you “wasted” your time. The sheer volume of communication taking place these days must be good for business, surely? Well, yes and no. Sometimes the activity is truly useful, taking people towards their objectives and goals. But often the activity is just mindless activity and the sense of progress is merely an illusion.

More than ever our European business world needs creativity and innovation, and these things rarely show up in a rush of activity. Creativity occurs when a prepared mind is left to dwell on a problem, when apparently random connections can be made and when the quiet voice of intuition can be heard. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and Crick and Watson’s discovery of the double helix structure of DNA came through dreams and daydreams. So it’s OK to stop and look out of the window.

Isn’t technology a wonderful thing? Take a look around you in offices, restaurants and airports, and you will see people frantically busy thanks to the technology that connects us all. E-mail, SMS and even some good old-fashioned phone calls tend to keep business people running like hamsters on wheels (usually on their way to yet another meeting!).

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Empty your mind and daydream. And when you find your colleagues in a flurry of activity tell them the headline of this piece: “Don’t just do something, sit there.”

Paul Blackhurst, Client Director, Mannaz Photo: Karla Gowlett

Danske Bank International S.A., R.C.S. Luxembourg, No. B. 14.101, Aut. 24859

Don’t fail to ask WHY Column by Rasmus Ankersen

Mastering your successes is just as important as mastering your failures. It does seem, however, that people find it more natural to dig for the causes of their failures than for those of their successes. When we do not succeed, we struggle to understand why, but when we are successful, we make do with enjoying it rather than reflecting on the cause or causes.

“I don’t spend valuable time on managing my wealth. I leave that to the experts” Stefan, 44, Sales Director, International Private Banking client

This is what I call the failure-to-ask-why syndrome – the tendency not to systematically investigate the causes of good performance.

First of all, you must understand that there can be many reasons for success. Yet it is all too common for executives, athletes and performers in general to attribute their success to their own insights and skills and ignore or downplay random events or external factors outside their control. Imagine, for instance, that you are a tennis player and have just won a match. You may have won for many reasons that have nothing to do with your abilities. Perhaps your opponent played well below standard, the umpire may have made some bad decisions, or maybe the weather and court conditions suited your playing style better than your opponent's.

Or imagine, for instance, that you are leading a team whose numbers are great: It’s tempting to credit yourself or your team’s actions for that achievement, though it may actually just be a stroke of good luck or the result of your competitors’ problems.

Success can easily make us believe that we are better than we actually are unless we also use it to revise our theories or expand our knowledge of what really works.

The reality is that while success (or a string of successes) may mean you’re on the right track, you can’t assume this to be true without further testing, experimentation and reflection. It’s all about digging to the roots of your successes like you would do with your failures.

Bestselling author, motivational speaker and advisor for worldclass athletes and businesses around the world.

Read more: www.rasmusankersen.com

Portfolio Management.

A solution beyond the ordinary Stefan has created his wealth and wishes to see it grow. As he would rather spend his time on work and family, he has decided to use our Portfolio Management solution. Based on his desired risk level and target return, we have agreed with Stefan on a tailor-made investment strategy. By closely monitoring his portfolio and taking appropriate action, we help Stefan reach his financial goals while allowing him to focus on other things.

If you need help with Portfolio Management, Danske Bank International might have the solution for you. To obtain more information and to take our test, please visit our website www.danskebank.lu.

Scan Business | Feature | Niels Brock Continues to Expand in Asia

Head of Administration Morten S. Petersen and Niels Brock’s Director Anya Eskildsen celebrate the joint venture with (left) Professor and Headmaster of the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh and (right) Ho Thuy Ngoc.

Danish business school Niels Brock continues to expand in Asia With 1,500 students in Asia and numbers still growing, Niels Brock Business School is one of the few, if not the only, educational institutions in Denmark that is anticipating having more Asian than Danish students within the next decade. The latest addition to the school’s international ventures is a four-year Bachelor of International Financial Management and Services programme in Vietnam.

tion worldwide is enormous, but it is something that Danish universities are not playing a big role in, not yet. It’s a pity because we have a lot to offer, and we too would benefit from being more active.”

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Niels Brock Business School

The realisation of a shared vision

Niels Brock, a school of 25,000 students, established the new bachelor programme jointly with the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi in 2010 - ten years after opening up its first joint Asian programme with Shanghai Finance University. “When we first started the cooperation in China, the students were so shy. They did not say anything even when asked; it was so foreign to them to have an opinion or idea

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about their own teaching. Now, when I visit, they all speak at once,” explains director of Niels Brock Business School Anya Eskildsen. “What our Asian partners require from us is not so much the hard facts of the curriculum; it is the way we teach – our special Scandinavian way of teaching. They can see that implementing our teaching methods will make huge changes for them. The market for educa-

The idea of a Danish campus in Vietnam was that of former Minister of Education Bertel Haarder, or rather, it was a vision he shared and developed with his Vietnamese counterpart during a visit to Vietnam. “They wanted Denmark to establish a university in Vietnam, but as not that many universities were interested, Bertel Haarder ended up calling me saying: ‘I know that you are active in China; would you consider starting a school in Viet-

Scan Business | Feature | Niels Brock Continues to Expand in Asia

nam?’ And I said: ‘Yes, I would love that’,” enthuses Eskildsen.

Today, Niels Brock has approximately 360 students in Vietnam. Fifty of them study at the newly opened institute in Ho Chi Minh City, where a new campus is under way.

Eskildsen says: “We have a very ambitious and visionary project for an entirely new campus in Ho Chi Minh’s District 7 planned. We have discussed it a lot with the Minister of Education in Denmark, and we hope that we will have the approval from the board of directors very soon.”

education and access to western universities is a great opportunity for us. By going into partnership with foreign training centres, we provide far greater opportunities for the youth staying in Vietnam and enable them to continue following the Vietnamese economy at close range.”

One third of the teachers at the Niels Brock courses in Vietnam are Danish, and those teachers can, Eskildsen points out, bring back valuable knowledge. “That’s part of being truly international.”

Opening up for new opportunities All the courses at Niels Brock’s schools in Asia are taught in English, and the Vietnamese graduates will all benefit from having a Danish diploma which, based on ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), gives access to training centres in Europe as well as the United States. This means that students can stay in Vietnam for longer, which benefits both the students, their families and Vietnam, believes Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh, professor and headmaster of the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi. “It costs a lot of money for a family to send a child abroad. Being able to stay in Vietnam and obtain a qualifying

“For us it is important to be at the forefront of what is happening within international trade. Everyone knows that the ‘tiger economies’ are going to be even more important for us in the future, and it is necessary to be able to teach the future business students how to act, and we have to be able to do it ourselves.”

A win-win situation Of course the Vietnamese students are not the only ones to benefit from the cooperation. Niels Brock as an institution, their Danish students and teachers, and even Danish society gain just as much from the collaboration as their Vietnamese counterparts, believes Eskildsen.

Anya Eskildsen also believes she can already see positive results from Niels Brock’s 18 years of presence on the Chinese education market. “A lot of students have graduated from Danish programmes in China, and they are very good ambassadors. Not only for our school but also for our whole country because they know Denmark and the Danish system, which will make it much easier for Danish companies to recruit Chinese students from our programmes.”

For more information, please visit: www.brock.dk

Above left: Vietnamese Niels Brock student, Lien Nguyen. Middle top: Anya Eskildsen and former Minister of Education Bertel Haarder sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Below: Students at Niels Brock’s programme in Shanghai.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 89

Scan Business | Feature | The Art of Pipe Smoking

With an 18-carat gold band completing its beautiful design, the Savinelli Gold is the perfect gift for a dedicated pipe smoker.

The Stanwell Vintage pipes are created by Danish pipe makers using only the best Bruyere roots, which are polished to highlight the beautiful grain of the wood.

The art of pipe smoking Throughout the last century, pipe smoking was, fortuitously, seen as a sign of sophistication and intellectual merit, though recently it has perhaps, in the minds of many, also become a characteristic of the past. But for those who hold on to the practice, the art and craftsmanship involved in pipe manufacturing and smoking play a significant role in their enjoyment, and this is the reason a small family business on the island of Funen in Denmark has become successful selling high-quality, handcrafted pipes to the rest of the world.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Piber.dk

Piber.dk was founded by Mette Karmisholt and her husband in 2002 and has been selling pipes online ever since; their extensive collection of pipes and tobacco and guidelines on how to smoke have made them popular with both long-time pipe smokers and newcomers. And there is actually a fair share of people who are choosing to pick up pipe smoking at the moment. “A lot of new pipe smokers, most often men in their 30s and 40s, write or call us. They might have started up a pipe

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club and need help to get started; a big part of our website’s appeal is that they can get help and instructions. If people go to a store, they might be served by a 17year-old who has no clue about pipe smoking, and it can actually be a bit tricky,” says Karmisholt. “A lot of young people buy a curved pipe because they like the look of it, but it can be really hard to pack, and as a result people can burn their tongues, and then the pipe smoking experience is usually a short one!”

This can, of course, be avoided. The trick is, explains Karmisholt, to pack the bottom of the pipe with a child’s hand, the middle with a woman’s hand and the top with a man’s hand.

Finding the right pipe and tobacco If you do not know much about pipes, it might come as a surprise how many choices there are to be made when selecting your smoking companion: should it be long or short stemmed; straight or curved; wood, Meerschaum or clay; and most importantly, possibly, how much are you willing to pay? Pipes can, explains Karmisholt, vary hugely in quality, purpose and price, from the simple machinemade corn-cob pipe to exclusive handmade implements by renowned pipe makers often created in special collectors’ editions. “We sell all sorts of pipes; the only thing we reject are pipes that

Scan Business | Feature | The Art of Pipe Smoking

Left: The stylish H.C. Andersen pipe is designed after the long models popular at the time of the writer. Right: After several enquiries, Mette Karmisholt and her husband founded piber.dk in 2002.

don’t live up to our quality demands. Of course you can get incredibly fancy and expensive pipes as well, and that is not what we are looking for either; we go for the classic well manufactured pipes. Our prices range from 400 to 26,000 DKKR for the most outstanding Savinelli pipe, a jubilee edition commemorating the Titanic voyage.”

Piber.dk has a selection of around 500 pipes many of which, like the Italian Savinelli made just outside Milan and the Stanwell selection made by Danish pipe makers, are handmade. Of course the pipe is only the first step; the next is finding the right tobacco. “For many of the newcomers to pipe smoking the smell and quality of the tobacco is very important; they don’t mind paying a bit extra, and, really, good quality tobacco lasts longer than the cheap one, it is like chocolate,” explains Karmisholt.

Savinelli Autograph

tomers are elderly people, who are maybe in care homes and not able to get around or whose local tobacco store has closed.

Of course, we also get a lot of children or grandchildren looking for a special present for their granddad,” says Karmisholt.

“With the care and time put into many of the pipes, it can indeed be a very special and unique present. Take for instance the Stanwell flawless pipe; it is made from only the best pieces of Bruyere roots (only six out of 1,000 are used), which are aged

3-6 years before the pipe is drilled and then polished so that the wood grain really stands out. Or the Savinelli Golden Jubilee, which is decorated with 18 crt. gold on the mouth piece, both popular as gifts, just as our unique H.C. Andersen pipe from Stanwell, designed after the pipes popular around the time of H.C. Andersen.”

No doubt making a choice can be hard, but buyers are welcome to make an appointment to stop by for a little qualified guidance and first-hand assessment at the storeroom on Funen.

For more information, please visit: www.piber.dk

A gift for granddad Though piber.dk sells pipes to people all over the world, including Danish troops in Afghanistan, pipe enthusiasts in Norway and collectors from further abroad, a great majority of the pipes sold are still for the “granddad” buyers. “A lot of our cus-

Left: Meerschaum pipes are imported from Turkey where the meerschaum, which is traditionally carved by hand, became popular because of the cool, dry and flavourful smoke it generates. Right: Stanwell Black Bamboo.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 91

Scan Business | Feature | From Locally to Globally Mobile Workforces

Lisa Herold Ferbing, chairman of Djøf, believes that global mobility will benefit not just Djøf’s members but the Danish economy and society as well.

From locally to globally mobile workforces With the pressure of the financial crisis creating increasing challenges for new graduates trying to enter the job market, the incentive to consider global and not just local possibilities is becoming more compelling than ever. Lisa Herold Ferbing, chairman of Djøf, the Danish union for law graduates, economists, and political and social science graduates, and their students, for one believes that global mobility will benefit not just Djøf’s members but the economy and society as well.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Djøf

With 75,000 members employed in a wide range of positions in the private and public sectors, many of which have been subjected to saving cuts, Djøf has adopted a global outlook and engaged in a range of measures to encourage their members to consider opportunities on the international job market.

“First of all, it is the current employment situation that has made us focus on help-

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ing our members realise the potentials of the global job market out there, but there is also a social commitment involved; Denmark is so integrated in the global market and the EU specifically that our future depends on our ability to make it globally.”

The scheme includes information meetings, counselling and established networks in several cities, as well as different initiatives to make Danish SMEs realise

the potential of employing members with international experience.

Getting more Danes “in there” Djøf is not the only institution that wishes to see more of their members gain new influence on the global job market; the organisation recently arranged an information meeting with the Danish Minister for European Affairs, whose government specifically wishes to see more well-educated Danes working within the EU and UN bodies.

“Partly, it is important to open up the gates for jobs in international companies in and outside Denmark but also to position more of our members in the EU and UN institutions. The Danish government has an understandable wish to get more people into global positions because we

Scan Business | Feature | From Locally to Globally Mobile Workforces

have to not only integrate the global economy and politics here but also integrate ourselves into it abroad,” says Ferbing.

“We need to be competitively strong, and that’s why we need to consider the skills our members returning from global positions will bring back with them. We try to combine our strategies so that we, at the same time as encouraging our members to seek international experience, have a dialogue with the SMEs and their unions to make them realise the potential of the new competences that our members can bring back home.”

This is a much needed effort as eight out of ten SMEs do not employ any master’s level professionals at all, much to the regret of Djøf’s chairman. “This is a real shame because it is well documented that employees with higher education contribute positively to the company’s growth and development by increasing productivity and assisting in creating efficient leadership and administration. When companies employ our members, it reflects directly on the bottom-line figures.”

From local to global mobility With Denmark known to have one of the most mobile workforces in the world, guiding Djøf’s highly educated members to extend that mobility to the rest of the world is well on its way to becoming a success. Djøf has seen an increasing number of graduates seek work abroad during the last decade, with approximately 1,000 members currently registered as working outside Denmark, and networks established in New York, Brussels, Paris and London. Especially students have, says Ferbing, embraced the global outlook. “Within the last six to seven years, we have seen a big increase in students who take a half or whole year abroad; it is actually quite unusual now to see a CV from someone who does not have some sort of international experience studying or interning abroad, and then, of course, it does become more natural to look for work abroad after graduating as well.”

Just do it!

Although spurred by the rise in unemployment and the consequential need to

Djøf is the Danish union for law graduates, economists, and political and social science graduates, and their students, and has more than 75,000 members.

expand the job market to prevent years of new graduates getting marginalised, taking a spell abroad can, of course, be more than a necessity for the individual employee; it can be a powerful CV booster and life-changing experience. Having herself spent a stint in the USA at the beginning of her career, Ferbing has no doubts of the professional and personal benefits global experiences can bring. “I gained tremendously from it. It inspired me to work in different ways, and I learned a lot about working in teams and respecting people’s differences regarding both competences and cultures,” she says. “The advice I would give to someone considering going abroad is that they should do it; don’t let it stay at the thought, be active in finding out if it is something for you; you

can talk to our career and competence centre, and they can help you get in contact with other members who are already out there. What I would say is: Consider it, research it, go for it and do it!”

For more information, please visit: www.djoef.dk

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 93

At the Monthly Food Market in Aalborg, foodies and distributors can browse a wide array of local produce.

The taste of North Jutland Many people want their food to be much more than just food; they want food that contains history, standpoints and love instead of E-numbers, and one place to find that is in North Jutland. With Smagen Nordjylland (the taste of North Jutland), the region’s many quality-minded food producers have, for the first time, been gathered under one umbrella, making it easy for distributors and gourmands to find what they are looking for in an area bursting with choice.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Courtesy of Smagen Nordjylland

Judged by several international chefs to have some of the best mussels and oysters in the world, the taste of North Jutland has already made a name for itself on an international scale. But the region’s treats are not limited to those that can be pulled up from the sea, stresses Bente Al-

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beck-Madsen, director of Smagen Nordjylland. “Of course we are best known for our mussels and oysters because they are, basically, unique, but we also have large agricultural areas and livestock. With Smagen Nordjylland, we have created a forum for the area’s uncompromising food

artisans, who work with curiosity, patience and care to create unique products.”

The pantry of Denmark It is not without reason that North Jutland has become known as the pantry of Denmark; bread, honey, beer, aquavit, cheese and marmalade are all among the products that are successfully exported from the area. Many of the specific products owe their popularity partly to their unique history and traditional methods of production, believes salt producer Poul Christensen from Læsø, where salt seething has been an important part of the community for 500 years. “With Sma-

Scan Business | Feature | The Taste of North Jutland

Top left: North Jutland has a long tradition of beer brewing. Below: At Læsø, salt seething has been an important part of the community for more than 500 years. Right: North Jutland is commonly known to have some of the best mussels and oysters in the world.

gen Nordjylland, we have the opportunity to become more visible because we can tell our story about ‘the white gold’ to our customers, and more guests will visit us and see our unique production system.

Both things are important because I believe that the difference between our product and regular table salt has to be experienced. When you know the history, the product will taste even better.”

Bente Albeck-Madsen agrees: “Many of our producers are small and mediumsized businesses that have inherited their recipes from their parents or grandparents; the recipes have lived here – they are born here.”

Taking the time it takes While we cannot get some products fast enough, for example, we prefer our vegetables straight from the soil, with other things, like good matured cheese, beer and pickled herring, we want the producers to take the time it takes to get it right.

“In North Jutland, we are known for the saying that things take the time things take, and that also goes very much for our traditional methods of production.

Quality is not something you produce by

coincidence; it is about not making any compromises and having the right approach to, for instance, ingredients and time,” stresses Bente Albeck-Madsen.

“We might be known for being thrifty up here, but we do appreciate good quality!”

One of the ways for local producers and consumers to interact is at the Monthly Food Market at Nordkraft, a huge power plant converted into a buzzing cultural centre in Aalborg. At the market, which is arranged by Smagen Nordjylland, producers from all over the region can present their products directly to consumers and distributors. Meanwhile, some of the region’s best-known chefs show what their creativity matched with the ingredients of the area can result in. “The chefs prepare a three-course dinner served with local beer in tasting portions; it’s extremely popular and seats are always fully booked,” enthuses the director.

No need to go anywhere else On Smagen Nordjylland’s website, interested visitors and potential distributors can find an extensive register of the different producers, restaurants and recipes from North Jutland that fulfil the organi-

sation’s vision of refined production and genuineness. “Even free birds fly in flocks; we strongly believe in that, and by that we mean that by standing together we have a chance of reaching even further than we could one by one,” explains Bente AlbeckMadsen.

One of the companies to have benefitted from this is Aalborg Chokoladen, a young company that honours old traditions by making exclusive chocolate using local recipes dating back to 1934. “What is really great for us is that there are a lot of small producers gathered in one place, which means that we can draw on each other’s knowledge and experience, and we can source products from each other.

We, for instance, use preserved rosehips from Bondegårdshyben, a local farm, and others use our liquorice in their products,” explains director John Aslak Jensen. “It’s a really good organisation; of course they don’t solve our problems for us, but they enable us to talk and find solutions together.”

For more information, please visit: www.smagen.dk

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 95

take up to 100 years to dissolve each individual bottle. “Bottled water is an ever-increasing environmental problem, and our business concept is built around the question of how to improve access to firstclass drinking water without damaging the environment,” Øiseth says. By using well-known purification and filtration methods, combined with high-quality coolers and winning design, the PURE Water Company was born. “It is unnecessary to import bottles of water from Italy or Fiji to Norway when we already have water of good quality available in the buildings already. In the Western world, we have enough water of a decent quality to cover our needs, and the sensible thing is to use what we already have,” Øiseth says. People obviously agree as the company has delivered continuously strong growth each year the last 12 years.

PURE, fresh and chilled, without costing the earth With an elegant design and an engaged voice, the PURE Water Company has gained momentum with its innovative approach to drinking water solutions. Companies ranging from Ernst & Young to the Rezidor Hotel Group have fallen for PURE’s fresh water to the benefit of both their finances and the environment.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: The PURE Water Company

The PURE Water Company was established in 1997 and has since become one of the market leaders in drinking water solutions, based on the utilisation of the existing water supply. While the company was founded in Oslo, it has its own subsidiary in London and an increasing number of installations in Sweden and Denmark. “We can provide water in an effective, economic and eco-friendly way,” CEO Axel Øiseth says.

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First-class drinking water in a simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly way The idea was born out of an increasing awareness of environmental challenges, many of which derive directly from the large market for bottled water. Put into perspective, it takes 1,500 to 2,000 times more energy to produce a bottle of water than it is does to use tap water. Following on that, 60-70% of all plastic bottles worldwide end up in nature, and it can

Opposed to many of its competitors who deliver local placed units, PURE’s system distributes water from large LINK coolers.

This solution makes it possible to have many dispense points on each cooler, and the chilled and purified water is distributed in a closed system from the cooler to the dispensing points. The water is constantly circulating, which guarantees freshness and the correct temperature.

“Water quality is exposed to three threats, namely the sun, temperature and a lack of movement. Our system prevents the water from being exposed to any of these, which makes it clean, fresh and cold, and the water normally scores high in independent consumer tests,” Øiseth explains.

“Our clients, who traditionally have a large consumption of bottled water, not only benefit from the simplicity of the system but also the financial aspect. It is a costeffective way of providing your guests and employees with fresh water 24 hours a day.”

A winning solution among great international companies The PURE Water Company supplies substantial restaurant and hotel chains, including the Rezidor Hotel Group and Nordic Choice Hotels. While they remain big in the HORECA market, they are also gaining increasing momentum among

Scan Business | Feature | The PURE Water Company

CEO Axel Øiseth

large international companies, including Ernst & Young, KPMG and Statoil. “PURE Water becomes an integrated part of the building, just like your ventilation system.

We are therefore working closely with architects and contractors in order to incorporate our system into the infrastructure,” Øiseth explains and points to the new Statoil building and DNB head offices in Oslo. PURE Water has been involved in the building processes for the past couple of years, and their system will be an integrated part of both buildings when they open shortly.

The company hires out the full package of equipment, installation and service to the clients, and provides a product which is easy to use as well as reducing security risks. “You will not see our staff in the building as they only need access to the cooler in the basement. Companies thus reduce security risks as they do not need

to grant strangers access to the building,” Øiseth notes. “This is a particularly important factor for financial and governmental institutions.”

An award-winning design The PURE Water Company has designed an award-winning serving set, with carafes and glasses, and is currently developing individual bottles for the individual employees. “Numerous consumer tests confirm that consumers are unable to differentiate between bottled water producers. Water is water, and consumers make their choices based on design and brand affiliation. It was therefore impor-

tant to have a design that captured people’s attention,” Øiseth says. There is no doubt that their branding has been a success, having won several prestigious prizes for design and environment, and an ever-increasing client portfolio. “We focus on environmental considerations, quality and price, aspects that have proven crucial also to our clients,” Øiseth says.

For more information, please visit: www.purewater.no www.thepurewaterco.co.uk

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 97

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Norway

“By being a small-sized, independent hotel, we are able to customise offers and accommodate particular requirements from our guests that larger hotels normally cannot do,” explains hotel owner Olav Lie Nilsen.

Conference of the Month, Norway

Enjoy your next conference in majestic surroundings at Thorbjørnrud Hotel Thorbjørnrud Hotel invites you to a conference out of the ordinary, with a superb location and stunning building worthy a prince. With its art collection and own farm, the hotel has more to offer than just a comfortable bed.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Thorbjørnrud Hotel

Located an hour’s drive from Oslo and 45 minutes from Oslo Airport Hotel Gardermoen, Thorbjørnrud Hotel is an oasis out in the Rands Fjord in Jevnaker. It is the ultimate place to host your next conference if a majestic atmosphere and entertaining activities as well as modern facilities are desired.

An intriguing glimpse into local history You can find mentions of Thorbjørnrud Hotel from as far back as the 15th century, and history books refer to a property with

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a variety of functions in society, as it was part of Hadeland Glassverk, a nearby glassworks renowned for its high-quality products, and was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War, before it was rebuilt as a hotel in 1985. The current owner bought the hotel in 2009, after being director there for 10 years.

“We are more than just a box-standard conference hotel,” hotel owner Olav Lie Nilsen says. A quick internet search reveals feedback like “lovely service and beautiful surroundings with a fantastic at-

mosphere”, two of the main attributes also emphasised by Lie Nilsen. “People seem to be able to relax and enjoy themselves while also being productive during the conferences,” he notes.

“The best working conditions for both employees and guests” Thorbjørnrud Hotel is an independent establishment, which can be clearly detected. “The hotel has a distinctive look, which continues to amaze people. By being a small-sized, independent hotel, we are also able to customise offers and accommodate particular requirements from our guests that larger hotels normally cannot do,” Lie Nilsen says. The hotel has 82 rooms, and offers modern conference facilities in addition to catering services

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Norway

and events. With a returning guest rate of 85 per cent, there is hardly any doubt that the hotel meets the wishes of its guests.

“We live according to our slogan: the best working conditions for both guests and employees,” Lie Nilsen notes.

More than just a conference hotel with its own art collection The conference market in and around Oslo is competitive, and it is therefore important to offer that added extra. “We offer more than just conference facilities and a bed. Most hotels can provide comfortable beds, but not all hotels can offer what I like to call softer values,” Lie Nilsen notes and points to a variety of examples. The hotel has a long tradition of being an inspiration for local artists and takes pride in an extensive art collection, which is exhibited from time to time. “It is important for us to maintain our cultural heritage in a sustainable way, and the art creates positive experiences for the guests and for us who work here,” Lie Nilsen says.

After intensive work since 2010, the historical garden has now been restored to its original, impressive state. Exotic trees and a gazebo are found in the flourishing garden, providing a setting for an enjoyable break. “Everyone has a stake in the garden, as the whole staff was involved in

the process,” Lie Nilsen says. Not only does it provide a beautiful sight, the garden is also important for the hotel’s kitchen. With almost all of their vegetables home grown, they are a contributing factor in the hotel’s innovative kitchen.

“We take great pride in our kitchen, and the chefs enjoy experimenting whether they are putting a new twist on old recipes or creating new recipes,” says Lie Nilsen.

Self-sustained and activities at the connected farm One of the more unusual and noteworthy activities is the connected farm. Lie Nilsen bought the farm with the intention of being self-sufficient for both vegetables and meat. “We already grow most of our own vegetables, and with a variety of animals

at the farm, we aim to be serving locally produced produce shortly,” Lie Nilsen says and adds that guests will soon also be able to visit the farm.

However, Lie Nilsen attributes the success to one particular feature, namely the staff. “The staff creates the atmosphere, and it is crucial that they are happy for our guests to be happy. Many of our returning guests emphasise our friendly staff, and how they feel like they’re coming to someone’s home rather than a hotel,” Lie Nilsen says.

For more information, please visit: www.thorbjornrudhotell.no

The hotel has a long tradition of being an inspiration for local artists and takes pride in an extensive art collection, which is exhibited from time to time.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 99

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Sweden

Conference of the Month, Sweden

Nature’s own conference venue Amid scenic surroundings in the heart of the beech wood forest of Småland in southern Sweden, Möckelsnäs Herrgård provides a beautiful backdrop for inspiring conferences and relaxing holidays.

By Inna Allen | Photos: Möckelsnäs Herrgård

Dating back to the 14th century, Möckelsnäs Herrgård effortlessly mixes historic elegance with modern conveniences. The manor house sits in landscape that bathes in natural Scandinavian beauty.

With nature parks Kronan, Taxås and Höö nearby, the area has a wide variety of different specimens of plants and birds, making it highly popular amongst botanists and birdwatchers.

Surrounded by peace and quiet Located by the serene Lake Möckeln and open all year round, the manor has 46 bedrooms, each tastefully decorated in warm, natural colours. With free Wi-Fi and parking, plus 60 international TV channels to choose from, the hotel is highly desirable for both business and leisure visits. And although in a remote and peaceful location, the manor is within

100 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Seating 150 diners, the light and beautiful dining hall boasts fantastic views over the lake, making your culinary experience a real moment of pleasure. The kitchen serves organic and local food whenever possible, and the menu contains traditional Swedish delicacies with an international touch.

An abundance of possibilities

good transport connections and is easily reached by car, train or plane.

The conference rooms at Möckelsnäs Herrgård are designed to make visitors feel as if they are out in nature. “We provide a quiet and creative environment, so guests can focus on the conference itself,” says owner Marina Beunders. “All of our seven conference rooms have a lakeside view and are fully equipped with beamers, flat-screen TVs, printer /copy facilities and other necessary features.”

From romantic weekend breaks to gourmet experiences, and from activity holidays to weddings, this Countryside Hotel can host all types of events. Here you can rest and relax, enjoy a delicious fourcourse gourmet dinner or get active with kayaking, cycling, fishing and golf. Surrounded by a wealth of attractions, Möckelsnäs Herrgård really creates an inspiring and unforgettable experience.

For more information, please visit: www.mockelsnas.se Address: Möckelsnäs 1, 343 71 Diö, Älmhult, Sweden

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Finland

Conference of the Month, Finland

A green congress centre ready for any challenge Dipoli Congress Centre is among the greenest conference and event venues in Finland, and with its reputation for tailor-made solutions and accommodating service, it is one of the most popular congress centres in the greater Helsinki area.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Dipoli Congress Centre

Located in the heart of the scientific community of Otaniemi in Espoo and only a 15-minute drive from Helsinki, Dipoli is quite an attraction on its own already. Featuring striking architectural design by the renowned Finnish architect Reima Pietilä, the building is unique and unusual in many ways. Dipoli is surrounded by beautiful nature and is a part of the exciting scientific and artistic environment of Aalto University, also hosting some of the university’s international congresses.

“It’s about cooperation and great customer service, taking into account all the wishes and needs of our customers. We create tailor-made congresses and events.”

Tailor-made conferences and events

Dipoli is also known as one of the largest venues for parties and festive gatherings in the greater Helsinki area. With room for up to 1,300 seated dinner guests or 2,000

“One of our strengths is the flexibility and modifiability of our services and facilities,” explains congress manager Mervi Kivistö.

Dipoli’s staff have a knack for organising events to suit the specific needs of their customers. The adaptable meeting rooms with movable walls and state-of-the-art presentation technology ensure that all conferences are a success, no matter the size of the assembly.

cocktail reception guests, Dipoli is perfect for both big and small events.

A top chef and convenient accommodation Chef Rôtisseur Juha Jaakonsaari and his kitchen staff create both tasty conference lunches and special evening menus for the congress centre. All meals are prepared from scratch in-house and can be tailor-made to fit the style of any event.

Located only 150 metres from Dipoli, Radisson Blu Hotel, Espoo offers newly renovated premier accommodation. In their 209 guestrooms, Dipoli’s congress guests can enjoy a good night’s sleep by the beautiful Otaranta waterfront.

Green and clean Dipoli was the first Finnish conference centre to receive the WWF Green Office certificate, making it a frontrunner in environmentally friendly conference services. The congress centre keeps a close eye on energy and paper consumption, as well as waste management. Both staff and customers are encouraged to minimise their carbon footprint.

For more information, please visit: dipoli.aalto.fi

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 101

The Ragnarok Hall, which seats up to 100 dining guests, is adorned by classic sculptures as well as a marvellous frieze depicting the final clash between the Gods and Jötnars (Giants) from Nordic mythology.

Conference of the Month, Denmark

If Carlsberg did conferences...

They would probably be the best conferences in the world. Well, of course it all depends on taste, but if a historic yet modern meeting centre, which combines unique architecture and art with industrial history and, of course, ‘probably the best beer in the world’, is to your taste, then having your next company event at the Carlsberg Museum and Business Centre in Copenhagen might, in any case, not be the worst idea in the world.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Carlsberg Museum and Business Centre

Located right next to the old Carlsberg Breweries, which have been converted into a popular visitor centre, the meeting centre’s guests are literally walking through the history of Danish industry.

This is one of the reasons Carlsberg Museum presents an obvious choice for companies looking for something other than an ordinary meeting room, says sales manager at Visit Carlsberg Michael Frandsen. “What we offer our guests is

102 | Issue 41 | June 2012

quite simply unique settings; our meeting rooms are unparalleled in their beautiful architecture, and besides that you can offer your guests a guided tour of the old breweries or a beer tasting event in the atmospheric Bar Jacobsen.”

Unparalleled architecture Originally built to house the founder of Ny Carlsberg’s, Carl Jacobsen’s, huge art collection, the Carlsberg Museum was,

for years, a centre for artistic gatherings.

In 1897, much of this collection was, however, moved to the current Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in the centre of Copenhagen, and following Jacobsen’s death in 1914, most activity at the museum ceased and the remaining artwork was rarely seen by anyone but a few Carlsberg employees.

Fortunately, however, the premises have in recent years once again been opened up as the installation of modern conference facilities has created a meeting centre suitable for everything from large gala dinners to intimate meetings. “The rooms are very individual, but all are adorned with sculptures and artwork from the original collection; it’s a very special atmosphere, very different from regular meeting centres,” explains Frandsen.

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Denmark

The museum comprises nine stunning meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 168 guests. For a more informal atmosphere, there is also the option of using the atmospheric Bar Jacobsen, which is located in the heart of the old brewery on top of the only still existing brewery on site, Jacobsen’s Brewhouse.

The best beer in the world and food to match it It almost goes without saying that the Carlsberg Museum and Business Centre has its own stylish bar, providing the perfect place to end a busy day for conference guests; it also has its own kitchen, and the food served is, says Frandsen, sure to match the famous high quality of the beer.

“We have our own kitchen connected to the meeting centre, which makes incredibly delicious Nordic-inspired food with fresh seasonal ingredients. Of course, we also create beer menus to go along with the food, and we always make sure everything goes together – this is one of the many areas where people are sure to be reminded that they are in the hands of the creators of one of the most successful beers in the world.” The kitchen prepares everything from simple breakfasts and snack packs to delicious lunches and gourmet dinners.

A snapshot of Danish art, history and culture Dinners and lunches can also be booked separately for groups of up to 450 people when using the entire museum; smaller parties can be accommodated in the individual rooms like the marvellous Ragnaroksal (the Armageddon Hall), which seats up to 100 dining guests. Besides beautiful sculptures and colours, the hall boasts an impressive frieze depicting the

All the nine meeting rooms at Carlsberg Museum and Business Centre provide out-of-the-ordinary architectonic frames for events and meetings.

final clash between the Gods and Jötnars (Giants) from Nordic mythology. In Malerisalen (the Painting Hall), which can also be used for both dinners and presentations, guests are surrounded by paintings by some of Denmark’s most famous artists, including P.S. Krøyers. “A lot of people invite their business connections for meetings or dinners here because of our sophisticated settings and historic atmosphere. Besides, the story of Carlsberg is a great way to introduce foreign contacts to the industrial history of Denmark,” stresses Frandsen.

If the history on the walls of the museum is not enough, the tours of the old breweries offer much more of the kind; beer tastings, carriage rides with draught horses and first-hand knowledge on how to brew probably the world’s best beer are among the many experiences conference guests can take home with them.

For more information, please visit: www.visitcarlsberg.dk

With the Carlsberg Breweries visitor centre next door, conference guests have plenty of opportunities to experience the history of Carlsberg and Danish industry first hand.

Issue 41 | June 2012 | 103

Scan Business | News | Business Events

Scandinavian Business Calendar – Highlights of Scandinavian business events Annual General Meeting Further information: TBC Date: 13 June

Photo: DUCC

Macro Economy event with DNB Bank ASA Visit our event calendar to find out more information about this event.

Venue: The Royal Northern & University Club Date: 21 June

Nordic Thursday Drinks The Nordic Thursday Drinks is a perfect occasion to network with people from the Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and British business communities in an informal atmosphere. Canapés and welcome drinks are generously sponsored for the "early birds" with their names on the guest list.

Venue: Hilton London Olympia Date: 28 June

Summer Cocktail Party The Summer Cocktail Party is an annual event hosted by the Ambassador of Denmark Her Excellency, Ms Anne Hedensted Steffensen, and the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce. This event provides a great opportunity to meet the official Denmark, so members as well as non-members are highly encouraged to bring guests along.

Venue: Ambassador’s Residence Date: 9 July

Nordic Thursday Drinks The Nordic Thursday Drinks is a perfect occasion to network with people from the Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and British business communities in an informal atmosphere. Canapés and welcome drinks are generously sponsored for the "early birds" with their names on the guest list.

Venue: Radisson BLU Portman Hotel Date: 30 August

Please note that the above events will be open predominantly to the members of the chambers of commerce.

Photo: DUCC

104 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Surround yourself in the style of yesteryear

Above left: Co-Chairman of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) David Marsh

The fate of the Euro on the agenda at this year’s Joint Nordic Chamber event at LSE

Kekkola Manor provides memorable stays in the beautiful Finnish region of Southern Savonia. Whether you come with friends, family, clients or co-workers, the charming milieu, friendly atmosphere, versatile activities and attentive service of this historic manor house create endless possibilities for a truly enjoyable break.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Courtesy of DUCC

When the doors are opened to this year’s Joint Nordic Chamber event at London Stock Exchange, on 19 September, the subject of the evening will be one very likely to be on the minds of most participants already – the fate of the Euro.

As the Euro is experiencing its most turbulent times since its launch in 1999, the topic of this year’s seminar will inevitably cover a wide range of fascinating and essential questions. Among the confirmed guest speakers, who will try to answer these, is British financial specialist and writer David Marsh. Marsh is CoChairman of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF), which links central banks, sovereign funds, public sector debt agencies, and private sector financial groups.

The seminar, which will commence with coffee and registration at 5.40pm, will be co-moderated by Ulrik Walther, Senior Vice President at Pyramis Global Advisors, and John Hydeskov, Chief Economist at Danske Bank London. Alongside the guest speakers (more to be announced), they will lead the dialogue by listing the potential future scenarios for the Euro and the political and commercial consequences of each of these. The evening will end with a Q&A session, giving attendees a unique opportunity to question the panel of experts and speakers.

Horses and riding have always been an important and integral part of Kekkola.

Kekkola offers all levels of riding courses from beginner to advanced. The full-length riding ring and the great riding terrain make Kekkola a favourite among equestrians.

Kekkola Manor is well known for its outstanding food. From five-course gourmet dinners to traditional Finnish dishes, everything is prepared from fresh local ingredients.

Venue: London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LS Date: 19 September, 5.40pm - 9pm Price: Members: £42, non-members: £84 For more information, please visit: www.ducc.co.uk

For more information, please visit: www.kekkolankartano.fi

Scan Magazine | Culture | News

Nordic and Scottish noir intertwine at the Edinburgh International Film Festival On 21 July 2012, the Midnight Sun (featuring Insomnia) event celebrates Nordic and Scottish noir. Scottish crime writer Lin Anderson will kick off the evening with a talk and reception at The Point’s Sky Bar; this is followed by a screening of Erik Skjoldbjærg’s 1997 film Insomnia.

By Nia Kajastie | Press photos

Developed by a team from the award-winning MSc Film in the Public Space programme at the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the 2012 Edinburgh International Film Festival, Midnight Sun will investigate the huge success of Nordic noir, both literature and film, in recent years, within a Scottish context.

Lin Anderson, whose newest novel, Picture Her Dead, comes out in paperback on the same day, will discuss the use of light and dark in crime fiction, as well as comparing Scottish and Scandinavian traditions. Her talk will be followed by a Nordic-themed drinks reception at

The Point’s Sky Bar, where Anderson will sign copies of her books.

Midnight Sun continues with a screening of Erik Skjoldbjærg’s gloomy crime thriller Insomnia. Stellan Skarsgård stars as the Swedish police detective who is sent to a remote Norwegian village near the Arctic Circle to solve the murder of a young woman. With Scandinavia usually associated with the lack of light and short days, Insomnia offers a whole new point of view as the crime story takes place during the never-ending summer nights – in the land of the midnight sun.

For more information, please visit: www.edfilmfest.org.uk

Scandinavian mid-century furniture at Førest London Opened in April 2012, Førest London is a new furniture and lighting store celebrating Scandinavian mid-century design. It is the latest venture from collector of Scandinavian and northern European design Eva Coppens.

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Førest London

The store follows in the footsteps of Coppens’s successful “pøp üp butik” Lulu Bright that was set up in August 2010.

Just a few doors down from the current store, it was also located on Clerkenwell Road in an area that boasts a vibrant design scene.

At Førest London, you will find original and authentic mid-century furniture and

lighting, while the store will also collaborate with contemporary artists and set up exhibitions for old and new art forms.

Coppens travelled all over northern Europe in the last few years and acquired some exceptional design pieces by famed Nordic designers, including Jacobsen, Hvidt and Vodder, as well as new, inspiring artists.

Førest London stands for organic forms and Scandinavian nature as the main source of inspiration, and this is reflected in the design as well as the minimalist space of the store. Visit the shop for a taste of the Nordic aesthetic, from clean lines to sophisticated yet functional designs.

Find the shop here: 115 Clerkenwell Rd London, EC1R 5BY Mon-Fri : 11am – 7pm + two Saturdays a month, see website for details

For more information, please visit: www.forestlondon.com

106 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Scan Magazine | Culture | News

Riis: Stages of Light and Dark Danish former professional cyclist Bjarne Riis won the Tour de France in 1996, but 11 years later, he called a press conference and confessed that his win was actually fuelled by the banned substance EPO. In the autobiography Riis: Stages of Light and Dark, the Dane tells his story.

In his revealing autobiography, which has already reached bestseller status in Denmark and Germany, Riis reflects on the darker episodes of his life and his resolve to learn from his mistake. Today, Riis is the owner of Team Saxo Bank and determined to deliver a “clean” Tour de France winner.

A brutally honest and powerful account of Riis’s fall from grace, Riis: Stages of Light and Dark sheds light into the life and beliefs of the notoriously private Dane. While he is today the owner of one of the best cycling teams in the world, his personal story, the private and professional ups and downs, and the thoughts of a doping outcast will move and affect all readers.

Now available in English, translated by Ellis Bacon, UK readers can also be gripped by Riis’s heartfelt and poignant story.

Riis: Stages of Light and Dark (by Bjarne Riis and Lars Steen Pedersen) was published in the UK by Vision Sports Publishing on 14 May.

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Vision Sports Publishing

SVT World - svensk tv till hela världen!

Nu lanserar vi SVT World via IPTV där du som tittare kan ta emot kanalen via bredband utomlands.

Du får även tillgång till tjänster som radiokanaler, väder och nyhetspuffar.

Mer info finner du på: svt.se/svtworld

Nordfyns Museum The history of the town of Bogense and North Funen, in words, artifacts, paintings and pictures.

För abonnemang kontakta SVT World:s kundtjänst: ConNova AB, +46 (0)141 - 20 39 10 alt. svtworld@connova.se

Nordfyns Museum Vestergade 16, DK-5400 Bogense, Denmark Phone: +45 6481 1884 E-mail: nordmus@mail.tele.dk www.nordfynsmuseum.dk

Scan Magazine | Culture & Music | Scandinavian Music

Scandinavian Music

Sweden has fallen in love with a song that's a little mental and a lot brilliant. It’s the sound of a hyper Swedish teenager at an illegal rave. On a budget. Flytta På Dig

by Alina Devecerski is the track in question. It’s Alina's debut single, but it’s already shaping up to be the biggest hit of the summer over there. And EMI have re-

leased it on iTunes in the UK too. Be warned though - it's supremely addictive.

A collaboration between a Swedish disco house producer (Alf Tumbler) and a Swedish indie folk singer (Halina Larsson) has turned into one of the more enjoyable dance tracks of the season. He has taken one of her songs and given it a vigorous remix which has turned out to be so good that it’s now being released as a single in its own right, by both of them together. It’s very beautiful. Halina’s light and fragile vocal delivering a reassuring lyric while being wrapped in and lifted up

by Mr Tumble’s warming synth production. The chorus is really one of those “close your eyes and nod your head” moments. Ridiculously feelgood. It's called The Right Words and has its worldwide release on 4 June.

Swedish pop duo Icona Pop have wowed the blogosphere with their really quite amazing new single I Love It. It sounds like a slight cross between Robyn

By Karl Batterbee

(thanks to the fact that her producer Patrik Berger is involved) and that fabulous and underrated Brit duo from the early/mid -90s – Shampoo. The vocals and production are in-your-face without being annoying, shouty without being silly and attitude-laden without being uncouth.

Danish/Finnish/British combo Studio Killers have finally followed up on last year's debut Ode To The Bouncer, with the equally amazing Eros & Apollo. It's an enormously uplifting, soft dance track.

Very generous on the piano and with an almost 90s-esque flavour to it. As the title suggests, Eros & Apollo is all about warning ladies about the perils of falling for the male version of the femme fatale. “Soon he’ll eat your heart like cereals” is a notable highlight.

www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Nordic Solstice by the Orlando Chamber Choir (14 June) A concert tracing the origins, development and rise of Scandinavian choral music. There will be everything from northern European medieval songs to music by contemporary Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara. St Bride’s Fleet Street, London, EC4Y. www.orlandochoir.org.uk Jaga Jazzist and Britten Sinfonia (16 June) Norwegian 10-piece collective Jaga Jazzist combine jazz, electronics, post-rock and more with a thrilling energy. Here they team up with the chamber orchestra ensemble Britten Sinfonia. The Barbican Hall, London, EC2Y. www.barbican.org.uk

108 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Miah Persson at Wigmore Hall (19 June) For this concert, as part of Roger Vignoles’s ‘Perspectives’ series, the versatile Swedish soprano Miah Persson looks to Russia and the music of Scandinavia.

Wigmore Hall, London, W1U. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonic Orchestra (28 June) A classical evening with music by Phibbs and Mahler featuring soprano Kate Royal and mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova.

The Royal Festival Hall, London, SE1. www.southbankcentre.co.uk Roskilde Festival in Denmark (5-8 July) As usual, the Roskilde Festival has a killer line-up with artists such as Björk, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, the

By Sara Schedin

Cure, Bon Iver, the Roots, Friendly Fires, Jack White and many more. roskilde-festival.dk Ruisrock in Finland (6-8 July) Turku’s Ruisrock was founded as early as 1970 and is the second oldest rock festival in Europe. This year’s acts include Pulp, Snoop Dogg, The Cardigans, The Rasmus and Bloc Party, to mention a few. www.ruisrock.fi Pori Jazz in Finland (14-22 July) Pori Jazz is one of the best-known jazz festivals in Europe, and this is its 47th year running. This year’s line-up features artists such as Norah Jones, Estelle, Jools Holland, Jamie N Commons and Paloma Faith. www.porijazz.fi

Festlig Sommer Mad… With the Summer approaching we turn our thoughts to the great sporting events ahead and entertaining friends and family outdoors.

So what better way to celebrate than with our great range of Danish food and drink. We import the best cuts of Danish pork loin, the most delicious red hotdogs, sliced meats for cold buffets, great Danish cheeses and not to forget our fabulous range of Danish mead, akvavit and beer.

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2

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Our services include: • • • • • • • • • • •

Creativity and content Locating venue and vendors Budget planning and development Negotiating rates Invitations Entertainment VIP assistance Arranging speakers Design and production of printed material AV and technical support On-line delegate registration

Our approach to successful conference planning is simple: we always put our clients in the front seat.

CONTACT US TODAY! Phone +44 (0)870 933 0423 Email info@scanevents.co.uk or visit www.scanevents.co.uk

Scan Magazine | Culture & Music | Culture Calendar

Frida Hyvönen will be playing at Way Out West in Gothenburg

Slottsfjell in Norway (19-21 July) An idyllic summer festival set by the fjords in Tønsberg featuring international artists such as New Order, Noah & the Whale and Friendly Fires, as well as a great selection of Norwegian indie/pop acts. www.slottsfjell.no

The Øya Festival (7-11 Aug) Set on historic grounds, where Oslo was founded a thousand years ago, the Øya Festival features a wide variety of music acts including The Stone Roses, Björk, Bon Iver, Feist, Ane Brun and many more. oyafestivalen.com

Copenhagen Opera Festival (27 July – 3 Aug) This great mix of international opera stars and up-and-coming Scandinavian talent will take the opera out of the traditional theatre and onto the streets of Copenhagen. copenhagenoperafestival.com

Way Out West in Gothenburg (9-11 Aug) Featuring Blur, Florence and the Machine, The Black Keys, Bon Iver, First Aid Kit, Refused, Bobby Womack, Wilco, Hot Chip and many more. www.wayoutwest.se

Stockholm Music & Arts Festival (3-5 Aug) It is its first year running, but Stockholm Music & Arts Festival has managed to get heavyweight acts like Patti Smith & her band, Emmylou Harris, Björk and Marianne Faithfull on board, as well as a great selection of Swedish artists like Laleh, Frida Hyvönen and Anna von Hausswolff. stockholmmusicandarts.com

110 | Issue 41 | June 2012

Ane Brun will be playing ay the Øya Festival.

Photo: Knotan

Anna von Hausswolff will be performing at the Stockholm Music and Arts Festival.

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