Scan Magazine | issue 44 | September 2012

SEPTEMBER 2012 ISSUE 44 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

MADS MIKKELSEN – SCANDINAVIA’S MOST WANTED ARCHITECTURE IN DENMARK EXPLORE SCANDINAVIA – ONE LIGHTHOUSE AT A TIME AN AUTUMN TO REMEMBER IN SWEDEN

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Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

Mads Mikkelsen

SPECIAL THEMES 22

Hugely talented but unfussy Danish star Mads Mikkelsen has become one of the most sought after actors in the world.

DESIGN FEATURES 15

24 16

52

58

Sokos Hotels

Weddings, parties & conferences Discover some first-rate settings and services available for weddings, parties and conferences in Norway and Sweden.

FOOD FEATURES 82

Madsen Restaurant Madsen in South Kensington has been serving its popular Christmas buffet since the Scandi restaurant opened four years ago.

TRAVEL FEATURE 20

An autumn to remember Autumn is a beautiful season to discover the world and Sweden is no exception; here you´ll find everything from breathtaking nature to the latest trends within fashion, design and food.

Yarmood Yarmood stands for simplicity, quality and luxury, and that intuitive feeling of appreciating things that feel good against your skin. Proprietors Sine Fiennes and Eva-Lena Soderberg started Yarmood in 2009, with an aim to offer their customers a range of simple, beautifully knitted cashmere pieces.

Scandinavian lighthouses From far up north to the southern coast of Norway and on the Swedish islands, you will find some of the most charming and well-kept lighthouses that offer visitors exquisite sea views and a glimpse into days gone by.

Copenhagen Fashion Week The City Hall was off limits to the fashion crowd this season as the official Copenhagen Fashion Week venue was relocated to the old Carlsberg brewery which provided the perfect stage for some labels to showcase their spring/summer 2013 wares.

18

44

RedDog Design RedDog Design, the brainchild of Swedish designer Marianne Sparrenius-Waters, is a handbag and accessory brand known for its stylish, classic yet simple designs that help you keep your gadgets and life organised.

8

Danish Architecture Contemporary Danish architects truly have something important to offer to the world. Not only in terms of sheer architectural ability – but also because they are able to connect and respond to society and its needs.

83

SugarSin There is a new Swedish sweet shop in town and, in fact, the very first one of its kind. Behind the counter sit Anna Nilsson and Josefin Deckel, two confectionary loving sisters who recently opened SugarSin in Covent Garden.

At Sokos Hotels in northern Finland you can choose between city centre hotels surrounded by activities for the whole family and a hotel in the midst of Lapland’s unspoilt landscape.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 12 84

We Love This | 14 Fashion Diary | 70 Hotels of the Month | 78 Attractions of the Month Restaurant of the Month | 85 Humour | 102 Music & Culture | 106 Culture Calendar

Scan Business

94

FEATURES 88

Facile & Co Founded in 1993, Swedish spirits company Facile & Co has had its ups and downs over the years, shifting from selling vodka to jet-setting celebrities to focusing on their traditional Swedish liqueur punsch and gin Imagin.

44 58 90

96

Skipper Clement International School Skipper Clement International School is the only school in Aalborg and North Jutland that offers quality education in English to children aged five to seventeen, with the Cambidge international examination system.

LOF Arkitekter LOF Arkitekter champions the challenging task of combining modern architecture with Scandinavian design traditions. This has made the firm one to note on the architecture market.

92

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) is boasting students of 90 different nationalities and constitutes the most international and multicultural campus in Norway.

Jazzhouse Jazzhouse, set in the heart of Copenhagen, is known as Denmark’s primary venue for contemporary jazz, which promises surprising performances, innovative collaborations and novel experiences.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 86

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

97

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

100 Scandinavian Business Calendar Highlights of Scandinavian business events.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, The two-week frenzy that was the Olympics has now passed over London to make way for the Paralympics. I think most people were surprised at how smoothly things went – surely something had to go wrong? Even with very varying weather, an opinion-dividing opening ceremony and fumbling with flags, the Games seemed to bring everyone together. Ex-pats really had the best of both worlds as we had both the extremely successful Team GB and our own country to root for; and for Scandinavians the success of all Nordic countries was something to cheer for. Something like 24 medals were taken home by the Scandies and that’s not a bad balance at all.

On our cover we are excited to have Scandinavia’s most wanted thespian – none other than chisel-jawed Mads Mikkelsen, known to many as a menacing yet handsome Bond villain. The feature delves into his career so far and gives us a glimpse into his surprisingly very normal and quiet private life.

Nia Kajastie Editor

For this issue’s key note we’ve even enlisted a Scandi Olympian in the form of Danish marathon runner Jess Draskau-Petersson, who tells us about all the hard work and determination that goes into an Olympic performance.

The special themes this month focus on architecture in Denmark, introducing a great selection of contemporary architects and architecture firms; Scandinavian lighthouses, which offer an exciting way to experience Norwegian and Swedish nature and culture; autumn getaways and attractions in Sweden; as well as excellent wedding, party and conference venues in Norway and Sweden.

Scan Magazine

Copy-editor

Maria Smedstad

Issue 44 | August 2012

Mark Rogers

Inna Allen

Published 03.09.2012

Contributors

ISSN 1757-9589

Pierre de Villiers

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4 | Issue 44 | September 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.

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”.

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.

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. Norwegian freelance journalist Anne Line Kaxrud fell in love with the British Isles after watching a few too many Hugh Grant films. Having lived in the UK for seven years, she finished her education in International Relations/Politics and Communication before working in journalism, PR and marketing.

Danish Yane Christensen has lived in London half her life.

She’s a designer, illustrator and mother of twin girls. She also has an on-line shop www.fleamarketfloozy.com and writes to exercise her brain.

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.

6 | Issue 44 | September 2012

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 commu-

nication. Since moving to London, she has increasingly focused on Scandinavian culture and Scandinavians’ perceptions of 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.

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. 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).

Monica Takvam is a Norwegian photographer who came to England in 2005 to take a degree in Photography. Her work has been published and exhibited throughout England and Norway. She divides her time between London and Scandinavia, working mainly on editorial commissions and on her own practice. You can see her work at www.monicatakvam.com

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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Mads Mikkelsen

Most Wanted Hugely talented but unfussy Danish star Mads Mikkelsen has become one of the most sought after actors in the world.

By Pierre de Villiers | Photo: Denis Makarenko, Dreamstime.com

Mads Mikkelsen has had an incredible few months. Not only did the Danish star win the Best Actor award in Cannes for The Hunt but he also recently landed the highly coveted role of Hannibal Lecter in new American TV series Hannibal. Then there is the Hollywood romantic comedy The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman he has just shot in Romania and Danish road movie Move On, which is currently being filmed in Croatia. Run off his feet, it is hardly surprising that Scandinavia’s most in-demand thespian, while grateful for his career purple patch, is contemplating an extended break from acting when he sits down for a chat.

“I could easily take three years off and just do sports,” Mikkelsen says. “I would watch everything I could watch and participate in everything I can participate in. I love bike riding, playing football and tennis. I become a little kid every time I do it. So, if I had the money, I would take that break. It’s not like I miss acting like a crazy madman after a few months of not working.”

Home comforts For now, the hiatus has to wait as filmmakers from across the globe continue to scroll to his number on their smartphones. It is easy to understand why so many people believe the Dane is great.

Those who have worked with Mikkelsen applaud the fact that he is fiercely talented and focused on set without ever acting like a prima donna. When the cameras stop rolling, he comes across as warm and grounded, avoiding the celebrity scene to spend time in Copenhagen with wife Hanne Jacobsen and teenage children Viola and Carl.

“I enjoy just sitting on my bench at home looking out over nothing,” he says. “And I enjoy seeing the neighbours, seeing friends and seeing the family. I travel way too much in my professional life so usually I am just happy staying at home in Copenhagen.”

Mikkelsen’s love for the country of his birth has seen him steadfastly support the Danish film industry, playing, among others, a restless traveller in Asger Leth’s Move On, a one-eyed warrior in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Valhalla Rising and a teacher accused of child abuse in Thomas Vinterberg’s The Hunt. Ask the actor what he enjoys about working on Danish films and he enthuses about the brilliant scripts that have come his way and the joy of being able to craft something special despite having a budget that wouldn’t even cover the catering bill on the latest Hollywood superhero film.

A royal succes A case in point is A Royal Affair – one of Mikkelsen’s most recent Danish films.

Nikolaj Arcel’s period drama sees the actor playing controversial royal physician Johann Friedrich Struensee who, by manipulating mentally ill King Christian VII, became one of the most influential men in 18th century Denmark, before his commitment to Enlightenment led to his downfall and that of his lover, Queen Caroline Mathilde. Despite a modest budget and largely unknown cast, the film is an affair to remember, featuring brilliant performances and lavish backdrops.

“We had only about 8 or 9 million dollars but what they did with that money was pure magic,” says Mikkelsen. “When you

are standing in an enormous castle that is 40 yards to the ceiling and you have all these beautiful people dressed up, you have the carte blanche to go, hey we are allowed to be romantic. It was such a wonderful environment. The main cast members constantly got together in the evening discussing what we were doing the next day. It’s great when you say – this is the start, this is our goal, this is a little group, let’s go for it and do our very best.

When I experience that it reminds me why I love acting. It can be such a fantastic, beautiful job.”

A lucky escape Given his working-class background, acting was not exactly a natural career choice for Mikkelsen. Born in the Osterbro area of Copenhagen, he spent his teenage years in the sort of establishments you won’t find on the Sunset Strip.

“Where I grew up was a real working-class area where you had old man’s pubs,” he recalls, with a chuckle. “When I started having beers I was doing it, not at the disco or the cool parties, but at the old man’s pubs. I grew up there with my brother [fellow actor Lars Mikkelsen] and friends.”

As a youngster Mikkelsen excelled at gymnastics, a skill that probably ended up saving his life years later.

“I have this 1937 Danish Nimbus motorcycle I ride around on in Denmark and had a crash a few years ago,” he explains.

“I stopped at a red light and the next thing I knew there was a car driving right in front of me. I crashed into it and went flying. Somehow I managed to flip in the air

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 9

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Mads Mikkelsen

“After Casino Royale the pile of scripts I got sent got bigger and then you have a better chance that there might be something interesting in there,” he says. “But it didn’t change my life at all. I was in my 30s when the film came out so I wasn’t flabbergasted about what was happening. I knew exactly how it worked. This girl, she would not even look at me yesterday and now things have changed. So I can do the math. But being in a Bond film does make certain things easier.”

Family matters Being part of cinema’s longest running franchise has certainly made it easier for Mikkelsen to land roles in other blockbusters, like Clash of the Titans in 2010.

And while doing a popcorn flick doesn’t exactly test his acting chops, it allows him to spend some quality time with his kids on set.

A Royal Affair. Alicia Vikander and Mads Mikkelsen. Photo: Jiri Hanzl

and land on my feet. I’m not sure how I did it but it might be the fact that I have a gymnastic background.”

Mikkelsen eventually swapped gymnastics for dancing and, after studying at the ballet academy in Gothenburg for a year, danced professionally for almost a decade.

“I was on stage constantly, sometimes doing musicals,” he recalls. “Being a dancer comes in handy in a lot of situations as an actor, especially when you are dealing with stunts. And I would tear up the contract if someone else were doing my stunts. I say, ‘That is why I am in the film. I don’t have the cool lines, I have the cool stunts and I will not give them away’.”

Sex and drugs After entering Denmark’s state-sponsored theatre academy, Mikkelsen’s big break as an actor arrived in 1996 with Pusher, Nicolas Winding Refn’s drug-fuelled drama that marked the start of a long-time collaboration with the director.

By 2000, he was a household name in

10 | Issue 44 | September 2012

Denmark thanks to crime TV series Rejseholdet, a four-year gig that not only highlighted his acting talent but also his sex appeal. A Danish women’s magazine declared Mikkelsen The Sexiest Man in the World, a label that is still frequently attached to the 46-year-old.

“I guess they have to label someone the sexiest person in the world, and it is always someone who is on telly even if it’s the weatherman,” the actor shrugs. “For a couple of years it was me and then it was someone else. It’s nicer being the sexiest man than the most ugly man. I live with it, and I don’t mind it, but I don’t go around with a big smile on my face everyday.”

Mikkelsen’s striking looks helped him land his first blockbuster role, playing a knight in King Arthur (2004) before he jumped on board the 007 juggernaut as James Bond villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale in 2006.

His memorable turn as the blood-weeping bad guy boosted his career at a time when the Dane was experienced enough to handle all the extra attention.

“On some of the bigger films it is obviously more interesting for my kids coming to set and watching when you have giant scorpions and machinery that works in a fun way,” says the Dane, who, before tucking into someone’s liver as Hannibal, will be seen in French period drama Michael Kohlhaas. “They do join me if I am away for a long time if it fits in with their school holidays. If there is something interesting happening on set, I will definitely bring them. When I do stunts, I find it supercool that they are watching it.”

If Mikkelsen can’t hang out on set with his kids over the next few months, he will make time for a family holiday.

“Sometimes the family is desperate to go somewhere and I’m like, OK then, let’s go,” the actor says as he gets ready to dash off to his next appointment. “I shut up and they decide, but personally I always wanted to travel across the United States because it is an enormous land with so many different kinds of people and a variety in the scenarios. When you are working in the States, you tend to touch down in a plane and then use a plane to get to the next place without really seeing anything. It’ll be nice to take a break and do a proper trip.”

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Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this...

September means back to school, back to work and a new season start. We are rooting for an Indian summer and have spotted some great Scandinavian design winners that will keep our straw-hat spirits high.

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

This delightful little box

by Anu Pellinen is made of Finnish birch ply. Designed to be decorated with wallpaper, panelling or paint – up to your imagination. £24.95. www.husandhem.co.uk

A beautiful Swedish Gustavian bench is an investment that will bring year-round joy. £1,595. www.theswedishchair.com

Equipped with the Stressless® patented ErgoAdapt® system, these sofas by Ekornes are not only stylish but exceptionally comfortable. Prices from £2,039 for a two-seat sofa in leather. www.ekornes.co.uk

Stainless steel cups, hand painted with pretty Romany type flower designs. £18. www.ellaskitchencompany.com

12 | Issue 44 | September 2012

This print and colour bonanza wrapping paper by Rie Elise Larsen will keep our moods bright. Five mixed sheets for £6.50. www.rootsliving.co.uk

A super-cute felt purse with a dog to guard the pennies. Available in other colours and motifs. £8.50. www.northlighthomestore.com

View all of our pieces at the Drakenberg Sjölin boutique at Köpmanbrinken 4 in the old town in Stockholm, Sweden. Now also available at NK Details in Stockholm & Gothenburg. www.nk.se 08-762 88 88 or 031-710 12 07

PURE AND MINDFUL JEWELLERY INSPIRED BY THE NORDIC LIGHT AND DARKNESS, SEASONS OF SPRING, AUTUMN AND THE CONSTANT MOVEMENT IN NATURE. DRAKENBERG SJÖLIN. KÖPMANBRINKEN 4, GAMLA STAN, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN. INFO@DRAKENBERGSJOLIN.COM TEL +46 (0)8 24 11 30 - www.drakenbergsjolin.com

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary...

Blue and green shades are on our radar for the new season. Teal, aqua, indigo, emerald – the new pre-fall collections have definitely started a new love affair and we can’t help but agree – this palette is absolutely beautiful and there’s a shade to suit everyone.

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

A delicious basic tee by Weekday. The relaxed fit and light blue colour make it a great companion for the green skirt. £16. www.weekday.com

A beautiful silk dress like this by Rützou provides effortless style and will always have a place in the wardrobe. It’s an all-round winner that can easily be dressed up or down. £229. shop.rutzou.com shop.bestseller.com

This versatile stretch skirt by Ganni creates a gorgeous hourglass figure.

Wear it high or low with an oversized T-shirt for a downtown look or with a feminine blouse for ladylike chic. £78. www.gannistore.com

This graphic silk tunica by Gestuz is the perfect partner for slim-cut trousers – a look that will be cherished in the season ahead. £158. www.gestuzstore.com

This lovely handmade marquis-shaped sterling silver pendant, adorned by a marquis-shaped Labradorite stone, will lend a cool yet feminine edge to any outfit. £68. www.camalidesign.com

14 | Issue 44 | September 2012

Supercool equestrian ankle boots by Acne. A classic navy coloured boot that will last and be treasured for years. £440. shop.acnestudios.com

Scan Magazine | Design | RedDog Design

Jackie leather handbag tote

Leather BagPod handbag organiser clutch

Leather iPad envelope clutch

Keep organised and stay stylish RedDog Design, the brainchild of Swedish designer Marianne Sparrenius-Waters, is a handbag and accessory brand known for its stylish, classic yet simple designs that help you keep your gadgets and life organised. From the luxury BagPod organisers to leather handbags, RedDog Design creates chic products that will stand the test of time.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: RedDog Design

After moving from one place to another for over 20 years as her husband was posted in different countries for his work, Swedish-born Marianne finally settled down in their home in Wales five years ago - a rural home that the family returned to every summer whilst living abroad to make sure their three children, all born in different countries, had a secure base. During her travels she came across a variety of beautiful gift items, in particular handmade leather products from countries including Turkey and Kenya.

Testing the waters, she sold some products from around the world at a local craft gallery, and one thing sold the most, a handbag organiser, the BagPod. “The concept of a handbag organiser has been around for 10 years or so but often made out of cheaper materials like nylon etc. It doesn’t work with a beautiful handbag,” says Marianne. “So I designed a model in

canvas BagPod as an alternative to the leather one. Today, RedDog Design also offers a selection of classic leather handbags, phone covers and iPad envelopes, all available in a wide assortment of colours.

In 2010, the BagPod was awarded 'Highly Commended' Gift of the Year by the UK Giftware Association, whereas in 2012 the iPad envelope received the same recognition. In 2012, the company was also chosen as finalist in Drapers Awards Best Designer of the Year – Accessories.

Marianne Sparrenius-Waters

a cotton canvas, and they sold well. I realised that this was a business that could work, and I wanted to make them in leather. I contacted a family company in Istanbul, who made a leather version of my design.”

RedDog’s BagPods were launched in 2009 at the London trade show Pulse. People took to the leather version of the product, and Marianne decided to produce a sturdy

The chic products are perfect for both dressing up and dressing down and encapsulate the Scandinavian design ethos of classic, timeless and clean. With the brand and the little red dog getting more and more recognition, the future is indeed looking very bright. “I started the company at the very beginning of the recession, and it’s still here and doing well,” adds Marianne.

For more information, a list of stockists and to purchase RedDog Design products, please visit: www.reddogbags.com

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 15

Scan Magazine | Design | Copenhagen Fashion Week

Freya Dalsjö

Whiite

Ole Yde

Copenhagen Fashion Week SS2013 highlights The City Hall was off limits to the fashion crowd this season. The official Copenhagen Fashion Week venue was relocated from the beautiful National Romantic style building in the heart of the city to an old Carlsberg brewery on the outskirts of town, for one season only. The barren factory interior of the new venue, TAP 2, provided the perfect stage for some labels to showcase their spring/summer 2013 wares, but not for all scheduled to show there.

By Ian Morales | Photos: Copenhagen Fashion Week®

Twenty-two-year-old newcomer Freya Dalsjö was chosen to officially open Copenhagen Fashion Week at TAP 2.

There had been a lot of buzz surrounding the young graduate from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and her second collection at CFW did not disappoint. Sculptured jackets with broad shoulders, high-waisted trousers, pleated leather skirts and stylish cutaway visors evoked a sporty Balenciaga vibe. Danish top models Josephine Skriver and Caroline Brasch Nielsen opened and closed the show, an indication of how far this emerging talent is expected to go.

16 | Issue 44 | September 2012

Whiite was the surprise of fashion week.

The venue description, a parking lot in east Copenhagen, offered little incentive to travel across town to see a high street brand parade on striped asphalt. But those who did attend were ushered into a beautifully lit underground garage with a cool ambience. Design director Frederikke Hviid’s collection featured feminine styling and classic tailoring with a palette of soft hues of aqua blue, mint green, peach, yellow and brown.

Ole Yde presented his SS2013 collection in a secret courtyard a few yards away from the Amalienborg Palace. A convenient

venue for Princess Marie who did not have to go far to find her seat on the front row.

The couturier’s silk chiffon and crepe dresses displayed no shortage of colour, ranging from black to coral, amethyst and yellow - with big and small floral prints.

The collection was accompanied by vintage Georg Jensen sterling silver jewellery from the silversmith’s archive.

A Henrik Vibskov show always guarantees two things: a mesmerising spectacle and a crowd. For his SS2013 collection, the Danish avant-garde designer opened his show entitled The Transparent Tongue by inflating a giant three-metre high pink tongue with black taste buds in front of a large audience gathered in the courtyard of the Charlottenborg Art Gallery in Nyhavn. Models then walked around the pink tongue wearing a collection featuring colour block tailoring, Masai motifs and polka dot patterns. Some attendees described the show as “crazy”. They will have missed the references to oral clean-

Scan Magazine | Design | Copenhagen Fashion Week

collection is less post-apocalyptic and more wearable.

liness. They will also have forgotten that Vibskov is not only a designer, but also an artist - who always wants to be different.

Inspired by the film “Boys Don’t Cry” about a transgendered teen, Charlotte Eskildsen of Designers Remix showcased a collection that reflects the trend of girls wearing boyfriend jackets. Showcased in the glazed foyer of the Royal Danish Playhouse (Skuespilhuset), with stunning views across the harbour, Eskildsen gave feminine tailoring a casual menswear twist. Biker jackets teamed with miniskirts, crew neck sweatshirts with shorts, and girls with boyish suits, in a variation of colours from powdery white to cyan blue, black and grey. The show closed with the model trio Lindsey Wixson, Nadja Bender and Caroline Brash Nielsen in neon parachute gowns in a breathtaking finale.

Former Chanel model, Stine Goya revisited harlequin glamour for her spring/summer 2013 collection. Aptly named La Parade Merveilleuse, she created a carnival atmosphere on the catwalk using harlequin diamond shaped wooden frames with light bulbs that faded to bright as Caroline Brasch Nielsen opened the show. Dressed in a white silk top and seventies-style trousers, adorned with watercolour prints of a clown by the artist Donna Huddleston, the following looks featured a range of soft silhouettes combined with sporty elements. The harlequin theme also prevailed in the model’s hair and makeup with gold, black and mint-green masks, and big hair. The absolute standout was a pink angora cardigan.

Stine Goya

Asger Juel Larsen arrived with an army of Goths at TAP 2. But the London-based Dane has no one to fear. Graduating top of his class at London College of Fashion in 2009 and fresh from London’s first Menswear Fashion Week, Larsen came prepared to unleash his dark and indus-

trial vision on Copenhagen. The Goth Legion marched in a collection of militarystyle jackets and coats, soft nylon outfits, and a range of digital prints, including Larsen’s favourite: the acid skull. Larsen once said his ideal model would be Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator. His SS13

Other CFW highlights included Wackerhaus, Gaia and Anne Sofie Madsen. Expectations were high for Peter Jensen, but there were stronger menswear collections. And then there was Helena Christensen, rumoured to be taking part in the Ole Lynggaard presentation. But it was only rumours. Copenhagen Fashion Week returns to City Hall in January 2013.

Henrik Vibskov

Asger Juel Larsen

Charlotte Eskildsen of Designers Remix

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 17

Yarmood proprietors Eva-Lena Soderberg and Sine Fiennes

Wrap yourself in cashmere for everyday luxury Yarmood stands for simplicity, quality and luxury, and that intuitive feeling of appreciating things that feel good against your skin. Proprietors Sine Fiennes and Eva-Lena Soderberg started Yarmood in 2009, with an aim to offer their customers a range of simple, beautifully knitted cashmere pieces.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Monica Takvam

Today Yarmood knits cashmere scarves, blankets and items for babies; the pieces are unobtrusive but add luxury and comfort to your everyday life. Designer Sine Fiennes has been knitting for over 12 years and was originally introduced to her future business partner at a Swedish crafts fair,

18 | Issue 44 | September 2012

a long time planning our business, and not the structure of it but figuring out what kind of people we wanted to cater for.

While I’m more product-led, Eva-Lena knows about the marketing field and takes care of our customers.”

which led to Eva-Lena becoming one of Sine’s regular customers.

For the independent woman or the discerning man

“She would come to me and commission pieces as special presents,” says Sine.

“Then one day, when the kids had grown up, she wanted to get involved. We spent

The Yarmood woman is somebody independent who takes care of herself and makes her own decisions. “She likes good quality and is not too showy,” explains Sine. “She is confident in herself and

Scan Magazine | Design | Yarmood

doesn’t really care what others think. So while she likes feeling luxurious, she doesn’t need to tell everyone about it; it’s not part of her insecurities.”

“While younger people might not appreciate luxury in the same way, they know it inherently as well. Just like babies who love the feel of cashmere blankets and get distressed when they’re taken away from them. By instinct babies are just very addicted to cashmere,” she adds.

The male Yarmood customer, on the other hand, is someone who likes beautiful things. “He might want a piece for himself or perhaps he’s trying to find something special for his mother or girlfriend. It’s the perfect gift to gain some brownie points with the wife,” Sine laughs.

It all boils down to a feeling of comfort that is highlighted by a piece that just feels right for whoever is wearing it. A cashmere scarf wrapped around you will feel fantastic, and Yarmood pieces are guaranteed to cover you in luxurious softness as they are made with a heavier grade of cashmere than most commercial companies use.

Scandinavian aesthetic made in the UK The Yarmood aesthetic draws its inspiration from Scandinavian modern classic design, with pieces that emphasise simplicity over decorative features. The designs and colours are not amended according to fashion fads and will still be current in 50 years’ time.

never make thousands of items every week, so we stick to a small production run.”

Yarmood products can be purchased online from their website, but feeling the actual pieces before purchase is often what really impresses customers. With the items in your own hands, you can sense the softness and weight of them. Accordingly, Yarmood does take part in fairs like the upcoming Scandinavia Show in London, and they also go to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Brussels, Monaco and Geneva for events and private sales. No other shops or websites besides their own carry their range.

A lot of the sales come from repeat customers who return to buy a product in a

different size or colour, whether for themselves or as a present. Previous customers realise pieces keep over time and notice they even get softer with age.

“We want to continue to offer great customer service, and we hope to be able to keep going on with what we have for a long time. Our blankets are in a way the way forward as, while we don’t sell as many of them, they are the ultimate Yarmood piece. Once you own one, you won’t know how you could ever have lived without it.”

For more information and to purchase Yarmood products, please visit: www.yarmood.com

“Often designers want to add their personality to their pieces as well, but our items are not about me as a knitter.

They’re not contrived, and we don’t create a vast scope of products, just simple and beautiful designs and colours,” says Sine.

Yarmood also uses locally produced and purchased yarn and makes its own products, without a middleman. “The items are made by real craftspeople rather than in factories in China. We have a little workshop in London, and we only have two pieces of each colour in stock, which we then replace as they are sold. We could

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 19

Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | Sokos Hotels

Located in the very heart of Levi, Sokos Hotel Levi is a real pearl in the midst of Lappish nature, with the accommodation itself reflecting the different seasons of Lapland.

Stay with Sokos Hotels to experience the best parts of northern Finland Sokos Hotels, the biggest hotel chain in Finland, is known for the convenient and central location of all of its accommodation as well as a high standard of service and amenities. In northern Finland, you can choose between city centre hotels surrounded by activities for the whole family and a hotel in the midst of Lapland’s unspoilt landscape.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Sokos Hotels Arina Oulu, Vaakuna Rovaniemi & Levi

Sokos Hotels Arina Oulu, Vaakuna Rovaniemi and Levi, although diverse in character and setting, all offer great opportunities for enjoying a relaxing stay, fun leisure activities and cultural attractions. And for a fulfilling mix of modern city life with authentic Lappish nature, why not stay at two or all three of the hotels within one trip?

Gateway to Lapland Oulu, the largest city in northern Finland, is a place with a friendly atmosphere, innovative spirit, great leisure opportunities and an international feel. In the wintertime, Oulu comes alive with events and fun activities for the whole family, from

20 | Issue 44 | September 2012

performances of “Tiernapojat” (Star boys), a traditional Christmas play that originated in Oulu, to the Poroferia Festival, which combines reindeer, Sami culture and flamenco. And with the great outdoors available just outside the city, travellers can easily enjoy skiing, ice-fishing, snowmobile safaris and snowshoeing in unblemished nature. There are, however, entertaining happenings taking place all year round (for a comprehensive list see: www.ouluon.fi), with something suitable guaranteed for all ages and tastes.

Accordingly, Sokos Hotel Arina Oulu, located in the very centre of Oulu on the

pedestrian street Rotuaari, is a great place to be if you want to experience a lively holiday or fully satisfying business stay in a convenient location. The hotel boasts everything you need under one roof including 260 cosy guestrooms, four restaurants, a night club and a Coffee House, and any other needs you might have are covered by the shops and services available in the central area.

Conference guests can make use of the 15 modern and adaptable meeting facilities that can accommodate 10-100 people.

With versatile audio-visual technology, video conferencing facilities and an interactive projector, the conference rooms offer guests the full package.

Oulu is easily reached by road, rail as well as air, with 25 daily flights arriving via Helsinki or Riga. “And if you want to continue your trip further north to Rovaniemi, which is a 2.5-hour drive away, you can

Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | Sokos Hotels

enjoy some attractions on the way as well, including the famous Icebreaker Sampo and the SnowCastle of Kemi,” explains sales manager Teija Neuvonen.

Home of Santa Claus Once in Lapland in Rovaniemi, at the Arctic Circle, the natural thing to do is to seek out the old bearded man himself, namely Santa Claus – although it is not very hard to track him down as his doors are open to visitors all year round.

For a relaxing stay in central Rovaniemi, in close proximity to great restaurants, nightclubs and shops as well as the beautiful Arctic nature, you can choose Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

A popular choice for tourists, especially during the winter period, the hotel offers a great service package that includes two restaurants, popular nightclub Doris and 157 cosy rooms. The hotel is situated close to a wide selection of different ac-

tivity companies and tour operators that can arrange your whole holiday programme. Rovaniemi also boasts excellent transport connections, including flights from Helsinki arriving several times a day.

lifts and trails. It is also only 15 kilometres from Kittilä airport,” says Neuvonen.

With a fantastic sauna department and an indoor Jacuzzi, at Sokos Hotel Levi, you can just enjoy life, while watching the Northern Lights fill the sky.

A pearl in Lapland The newest hotel of the bunch, Sokos Hotel Levi, opened in 2008, is also the northernmost hotel in the Sokos Hotels chain.

Located in the very heart of Levi, the hotel is a real pearl in the midst of Lappish nature, with the accommodation itself reflecting the different seasons of Lapland.

Comprising three buildings, the hotel is divided into summer, autumn and winter themes, with the different seasonal aspects coming alive in the interior design and atmosphere.

“Levi is a very compact place, where you don’t necessarily need a car. The hotel is located close to services and activities, only a few minutes’ walk away from ski

CONTACT Sokos Hotel Arina Oulu +358 8 3123 255 sales.oulu@sokoshotels.fi Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi +358 20 1234 694 vaakuna.rovaniemi@sokoshotels.fi Sokos Hotel Levi +358 16 3215 555 sales.levi@sokoshotels.fi

For more information, please visit: www.sokoshotels.fi

For a relaxing stay in central Rovaniemi, in close proximity to local amenities and the beautiful Arctic nature, you can choose Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi.

Sokos Hotel Arina Oulu, located in the very centre of Oulu, is a great place to be if you want to experience a lively holiday or fully satisfying business stay in a convenient location.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 21

: ME URE E H T L T EC

T CIA RCHI E SP H A

S NI DA

The Royal Danish Playhouse in Copenhagen, an example of new beautiful architecture in Denmark. Photo: Nicolai Perjesi

Danish Architecture At the Danish Architecture Centre (DAC) we are thrilled to have been asked to introduce this issue of Scan Magazine with its focus on contemporary Danish architecture.

By Kent Martinussen, CEO, DAC

The DAC has a broad spectrum of goals that are all related to the social, cultural and economic value that architecture holds for society, but one of our core efforts is to communicate the latest architectural insights and developments to all interested parties – thereby informing both public and professional debate. We also have a number of activities aimed at tourists visiting Copenhagen and other large cities in Denmark.

But not only do we address the public and the architectural community in a number of ways – at the same time we strive to put Danish architects and architecture on the international agenda. We do this not only to further the export of Danish architecture but also based on our belief that con-

22 | Issue 44 | September 2012

temporary Danish architects truly have something important to offer to the world.

Not only in terms of sheer architectural ability – but also because they are able to connect and respond to society and its needs. Architecture is still more often called upon as a societal problem-solver – be it sustainability, ghetto issues or the demand for better learning spaces for our youth. This societal responsibility is a challenge that we believe Danish architecture is well prepared to accept – at home and abroad.

After reading these pages we hope you share this belief.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Top: Niels Bohr Science Park.

Below left: Krøyer’s Plads.

Right: KDY Yachting Marina

VLA is a full-service firm of architects that works with development and planning, architecture and design. Its committed staff of 50 transforms knowledge, empathy and stance into great solutions, achieving architecture that creates identity and meaning. VLA has some of the most extensive, best-documented experience in sustainable architecture in Denmark.

Spot-the-VLA-buildings A Copenhagen round trip is a veritable “spot-the-VLA-buildings” - let www.VLA.dk be your guide. The company is currently working on several major projects in and around Copenhagen, amongst them are:

Building an architectural legacy

KDY Yachting Marina is part of VLA's master plan for Tuborg South Harbour and Canal. The club house is the central element in the harbour. It offers fantastic views and its main architectural characteristic is the large folding roof.

When arriving at Copenhagen airport, you are guaranteed to be impressed by its architecture. You will be gawping at the wing-shaped steel ceiling while you wheel your suitcase across the polished floor. Once you exit the airport, you will probably proceed to either the equally stunning train station or metro station. By the time you are seated on your train, you are already taking excellent Danish design and architecture for granted.

Calsberg Plot 8* is a new building complex totalling 80,000 square metres of what used to be the Carlsberg Brewery.

The complex will include spaces for teaching purposes, a residential tower and ground floor facilities for retail, cafes and businesses.

By Yane Christensen | Photos: VLA

Copenhagen airport has repeatedly been voted the world's best airport by several industry authorities, as well as international style magazines. Coincidentally, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, the low-cost terminal CPH Go and both the metro station

and the train station have been created by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects (VLA). VLA did in fact also create the original airport building in 1939, now considered one of the finest examples of Nordic functionalism.

Krøyer's Plads** is the location for a proposal for three new harbour-side buildings, using the historic warehouses as inspiration. Two buildings will be designed as office facilities, and one will be residential and feature an open glass facade.

The above projects have been won in fierce competition and will further cement VLA as one of Denmark's leading and most prolific architectural firms. * In partnership with Cobe, CCO, Nord Architects and Effekt. ** In partnership with Cobe.

For more information, please visit: www.vla.dk Above left: Carlsberg Plot 8. Right: Copenhagen Airport Terminal 3

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 23

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Housing at Grøntorvet in Copenhagen

Building on a foundation of knowledge, research and evidence Architecture is not just about great ideas and big visions. Knowledge, research and evidence constitute the foundation of the trade and that is why the only thing that cannot be scientifically explained at Årstiderne Arkitekter (Season Architects) is their name.

course, aim for architectonic and aesthetic beauty, the aesthetic considerations are never allowed to compromise the building’s functional purpose.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Årstiderne Arkitekter

Research and focus

Founded in 1985, Årstiderne Arkitekter became one of Denmark’s largest architect firms through the merger with KOBRA Architects in 1996. Together with the drop in the financial market and its effect on the construction industry, the new scale of the business necessitated a more focused strategy, says Torben Klausen, CEO of the firm since the merger. “One thing we realised was that if we were to

24 | Issue 44 | September 2012

continue receiving reasonable fees in the new financial climate, we had to be able to present solid documentation that we were not just able to create beautiful buildings and nice architecture, but that we could also reduce the client’s investment risk significantly and create additional value.”

This means that although the buildings created by Årstiderne Arkitekter, of

With approximately 170 employees and departments in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Bangladesh, Årstiderne Arkitekter, more than most companies, has the opportunity to dedicate substantial efforts to research and development. “This is really one of the areas where size matters.

Imagine an architectural setup with maybe just five or ten employees - how would they ever be able to allocate two or three full time staff to take care of re-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

search?” asks Klausen stressing: “It takes a number of people and quite a lot of funds to build up a knowledge base like ours.”

Despite Årstiderne Arkitekter’s impressive capacity and equally impressively diverse portfolio, the company has chosen to focus, long term, on three core areas: living, working and shopping. The primary reason for this choice lies in their vast experience and deep insight in these three particular areas. “One thing is to be able to create a nice shopping centre, but if the customer flow and logistics don’t work then it presents a huge investment risk to the client. That is why we have to prove that we know the area intrinsically. The client is not just buying a beautiful design but a knowledge and evidence-based design,” says Klausen, finally stressing: “If clients feel that knowledge based architecture is expensive, they should try ignorance.”

Long-term security When planning a new project, it is easy to end up comparing only the price of the building and forgetting about the cost associated with its upkeep in the future. But

BMW dealership, Aarhus, Denmark

actually an average of 70 per cent of the cost of a building with a 50-year lifespan comes from operation and maintenance and just 30 per cent from establishing the building. “Up until now architects have been very focused on getting the building up and have had very little focus on the 70 per cent after that,” explains Klausen. “One of the new focus areas of ours has been to develop new products and competences within that area, so we are able to include the consideration of the operation and maintenance cost in the establishment and design of the

building to a much wider extent than our competitors.”

One of the new products that have been developed with this purpose is a specialised system for digitalisation and optimisation of the operation processes within private as well as social housing.

Providing this service at an advantageous cost is made possible by two factors: the company’s great competences within 3D project design, and their cost-efficient, yet digitally competent, department in Bangladesh. The technology can also be

Left: Beautiful views from the flats of Strandtårnet (the beach tower) at Amager Beach in Copenhagen. Right: Office buildings on the old grounds of the Carlsberg Brewery in Valby, west Copenhagen.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 25

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Left: Housing blocks at Odense Harbour, Denmark. Top right: Shopping centre in Stavanger, Norway. Below: The colourful interiors of Sørestranda School in Norway.

used to streamline operations and reduce operation cost within other project groups, such as shopping centres, schools, hospitals and offices. “We see this as a natural diversification and a way of utilizing the competences we already have,” explains Klausen.

Looking into the future Looking into the future is, of course, a troublesome task, but preparing their clients for it is nonetheless an essential part of the service provided by Årstiderne Arkitekter. “We felt that there were two things specifically that our customers wanted from us: the first was knowledge and experience; the second was that we should be able to predict how their buildings would be used in the future,” explains Klausen. “We are supposed to know the

rules of yesterday but also what are going to be the rules in the future. As buildings last at least 50 years on average, it is extremely important that we design with the future in mind and build in as much flexibility as possible. Research into how digital shopping will affect shopping centres in the future, for instance, is one way of reducing the client’s investment risk. Sometimes changing a building can be almost as expensive as building it so we need some kind of defence; we need to be able to secure ourselves against that by knowing more about what is to come.”

With regard to the company’s own future, the planning is just as pragmatic and fact based as everything else. “The closest I can get to telling you what our future plan for the company is, is that we want to be

the best and leading within our focus segments in Scandinavia. Perhaps becoming that will take us to other places in Europe, but I don’t believe in having an export strategy without having proven competences in the close markets first,” stresses Klausen.

Facts: Årstiderne Arkitekter was founded by Per Laustsen in 1985.

The firm has departments in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Bangladesh.

The headquarters are located in Silkeborg.

The company undertakes more than 600 projects every year and employs 170 people.

The company specialises in minimising risks and creating the greatest possible value for clients and users by basing projects on experience and knowledge and including past, present and future considerations and costs in project plans.

For more information, please visit: www.aarstiderne.dk The Multiarena Jyske Bank Boxen, Herning, Denmark

26 | Issue 44 | September 2012

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Vilhelmsro School in Fredensborg will, when finished in 2012, provide a prime example of how RUBOW arkitekter innovatively incorporates environmental measures in other essential functions.

Sustainable Buildings for Juniors and Seniors In recent years, environmentally sustainable buildings have become a buzz term within the public as well as private sector. But for RUBOW arkitekter sustainability is more than that; it is, and has always been, an integrated part of the company’s design process.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: RUBOW arkitekter

Tanja Jordan, RUBOW arkitekter’s specialist in energy and green architecture, explains to Scan Magazine how, in recent years, the company’s experience within environmentally sustainable design has been combined with new technologies and social considerations to create uniquely innovative projects.

“Environmentally sustainable and low energy buildings have been a core focus of our drawing office since it was founded in 1985. Back then the focus was on using

28 | Issue 44 | September 2012

the light and warmth of the sun; I suppose you could say it was a more traditional way of creating low energy buildings. But in recent years we have also had an immense focus on developing this further and transforming our integrated way of working with low energy into more visible multifaceted spaces and components as well,” she says.

RUBOW arkitekter focuses on care homes, educational buildings and social housing and has won a string of national

and international prizes for its work during recent years.

Pushing the limits Regardless of what sector RUBOW arkitekter is employed within, the overall principle of environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient design is applied and combined with parameters relevant within the specific project. “Creating low energy or energy active buildings (buildings that create a surplus of energy) is something that we feel really at ease with, always in a tight and integrated design process with engineers and specialists. Of course it is extremely important, but it is not a great challenge to us; however, we try to push ourselves and create some interesting synergies and experiences for the people occupying the building by combining more

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

sustainability parameters. For us sustainability is just as much about space and people as technicalities. What we want to do is to provide spatial concepts and qualities which can do much more than solely reduce the energy demand of the building.”

For us sustainability is just as “much about space and people as technicalities. What we want to do is to provide spatial concepts and qualities which can do much more than solely reduce the energy demand of the building.

”

To help clients understand and evaluate the many different parameters, Jordan has developed a new visual tool for plan for the school weaves together soRUBOW arkitekter. The tool allows the arcial, environmental and educational facchitects to better demonstrate the possitors to create a unique setup amidst forble connections between, for instance, est and meadows. “In this project we work economic, social and environmental facwith sustainability tors. Another imporARCHITECTONIC CTONIC VALUE ALUE on several different tant parameter is the levels. For instance building’s longevity. we have a large “We have a strong fogeothermal energy cus on current spasystem under the tial values, but we meadow which, at also always discuss the same time as what the building can producing energy and will be used for for the school, in 20 or 30 years. We functions as a sciaim to create flexible ence area for the kids with different buildings with long lifespans and in that hands-on activities,” explains Jordan. way reduce the CO2 footprint of the build“The buildings will also have green roofs ing. Of course we want to use good natu(covered by a special sort of moss) that ral materials or materials with special gather and lead rainwater to the meadow, qualities to secure a durable and small which can absorb the water reducing the CO2 footprint,” stresses Jordan. risk of flooding.”

An educational playground in the forest visual, spatial t and branding ng

SOCIALL SUSTAINABILITY BILITY

ECONOMIC MIC SUSTAINABILITY BILITY

inh habitants and behavior

rentabilitty

CO2 reductiion

BIO factor

ENVIRONMENTAL VIRONMENTAL TAL SUSTAINABILITY NABILITY

One of the many examples of how RUBOW arkitekter innovatively incorporates environmental measures in other essential functions is the Vilhelmsro School in the municipality of Fredensborg. The project

The school, which will be finished in the spring of 2013, consists of eight wooden structures, clad in slate tiles, on poles to match the structure of the surrounding forest. Natural sunlight is led through

light prisms deep into the core of the buildings.

First-prize-winning projects Innovative multipurpose energy-saving measures and social sustainability have also been at the core of many of RUBOW arkitekter’s first-prize-winning project proposals such as, for instance, Aalborg University’s new Ballerup Campus, Holmegårdsparken care home centre and Trekløveret, “the nursery of the future”.

The winning proposal for the Ballerup Campus included geothermal systems for floor heating and cooling, and an energy efficiently designed facade which provides shade or light according to the need in specific spaces.

RUBOW arkitekter now aims to continue their success working with an innovative sustainable approach to become a leading Scandinavian architect firm in sustainable architecture.

Facts: RUBOW arkitekter employs approximately 40 staff members.

The company’s core focuses are: social housing, educational institutions, care homes and senior homes, environment and energy, and city plans Contact details: Rubow arkitekter A/S, Skt. Annæ Passage, Bredgade 25 F, 1260 København K. Tlf: +45 33 69 11 22 info@rubowarkitekter.dk att: Tanja Jordan / Lars Bo Lindblad

Left: RUBOW arkitekter’s first-prize-winning project proposals for Aalborg University’s new Ballerup Campus includes geothermal systems for floor heating and cooling, and an energy efficiently designed façade. Right: Like all RUBOW arkitekter’s buildings, Holmegårdsparken care home centre in Gentofte adheres to the highest standards for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

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

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 29

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Spøttrup Cultural Hall, completed in 2010

A colourful outlook Colours, architectonic presence and focus on human relations are all among the things which characterize a building from Hune & Elkjær architects, who recently won Farveprisen (the Colour Award) for their vivid design.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Hune & Elkjær

Since the firm’s foundation in 1990, Hune & Elkjær has specialised in designing and counselling on care homes and homes for people with special needs. A job which is, according to director and partner Allan Wright and creative director and partner Niels Christian Nielsen, extremely rewarding. “Seen from a personal perspective it is just very interesting to work with architecture which actually improves the everyday life of people,” says Niels Christian Nielsen. “Quite often when we speak to caretakers, staff and medical practitioners, we locate some very concrete problems which we can help solve, and that means that what we do often proves very significant and meaningful in the life of the residents, which is very gratifying as

30 | Issue 44 | September 2012

a human being – knowing that what we do actually makes a difference.”

Let the colours lead the way In many buildings designed or renovated by Hune & Elkjær one of the first things to strike viewers is the extensive use of exterior and interior colours. The colourful designs originally developed out of the often very strict spatial and geometrical parameters in public care and special need homes but now have multiple purposes.

“We began working with colours to enhance the aesthetic experience; through the use of special colours and surface materials we can enhance the spatial experience and highlight certain building components. It is a very simple tool but,

nonetheless, it is very effectual and actually quite inexpensive as well, but, of course, it takes some courage to break the idea to the clients – the easy choice always seems to be to just go for white because you are sure that it won’t bother anyone. But actually it does. It bothers the users and residents,” stresses Allan Wright.

The colours also have a more practical and pedagogical purpose, especially in homes for intellectually disabled residents who use the colours to differentiate and navigate between different rooms.

Winning praise, prizes and experience In 2010, Hune & Elkjær’s colourful design of Sedenhuse, a housing project with 40 homes for youngsters with Down's syndrome, won Farveprisen. The project was awarded the prize by a board of architects and master painters, who praised the architects for their use of shimmering exterior colours to greet and invite guests in-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

building, rooms and decoration “The motivates our patients to participate in the community activities to a much greater extent than earlier, and especially the colours are mentioned as a motivating element

”

Sanne Kipp, charge nurse at the Forensic Psychiatry Department at Aarhus University Hospital Above: Hune & Elkjær’s colourful design of Sedenhuse, a housing project with 40 homes for youngsters with Down's syndrome. Hune & Elkjær’s innovative use of colours as an aesthetic, practical and pedagogical tool won them Farveprisen (the Colour Award) in 2010.

side, as well as their use of interior colour design to “visually keep the long building together and create a feeling of security and adventure for the residents”.

With just 12 employees, Hune & Elkjær always develops a close working relationship with clients, which has led to a great insight into their specific needs and demands. Their experience and dedication have led to several concrete improvements in the life of physically and psychically disabled people. “The building, rooms and decoration motivate our pa-

tients to participate in the community activities to a much greater extent than earlier, and especially the colours are mentioned as a motivating element,” says Sanne Kipp, charge nurse at the Forensic Psychiatry Department at Aarhus University Hospital, which Hune & Elkjær designed.

But it is not only with regard to colours that Hune & Elkjær has made an impression on their clients; their pragmatic Nordic approach to the use of light, space and materials has also earned them significant environmental credentials. “We have participated in some very ambitious environmental projects and that has given us a lot of experience. We did a large project for Odense municipality which was very ambitious, especially

Niels Christian Nielsen, Creative Director and Partner (left), and Allan Wright, Adm. Director and Partner (right).

with regard to screening materials for harmful substances. Through this we became featured as a case example on the international internet portal Substitution Support Portal regarding the avoidance of hazardous chemicals in the building sector, and we learned a lot from that, which will prove beneficial to future projects as well as generations. Besides, the Danish standards with regard to energy use and sustainability are very high, so we automatically integrate this in our work, for instance most projects have solar panels,” explains Nielsen.

Facts: Hune & Elkjær was founded in 1990 by John Hune and Åge Elkjær.

The firm specialises in counselling public bodies on care homes, social housing, hospitals, educational buildings and special institutions for disabled citizens.

Address: Skovvejen 2b, 8000 Århus C

For more information, please visit: www.h-e.dk

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 31

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Lierstranda Fjordby: A proposal for a highly sustainable city district in Norway.

A special unit within architecture Although a company of just 20 employees, Entasis has successfully taken on some pretty impressive assignments. Scan Magazine asked director Christian Cold how, by disregarding most guidelines on modern city development, his firm won the prize for Best Masterplan World Wide and why he likes to compare his firm to a special James Bond-like unit.

ern city planning, but our office is located in the middle of Copenhagen, and we just said to ourselves: this is what people associate with a city and this is what we want to create at Carlsberg,” explains Christian Cold.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Entasis

When Entasis sent in their masterplan for a new city district in Copenhagen on the old grounds of the Carlsberg Brewery in 2007, they were not alone: 218 architect firms from 35 countries also had their hopes set on the project. Nonetheless, it was the small Danish company founded

by Christian and Signe Cold in 1996 which won the job. They did so with a never-before-seen modern dense, green city struc-

32 | Issue 44 | September 2012

ture, giving a revival to the city as we all know it with plazas, towers, narrow streets, backyards and numerous townhouses. Two years later the plan was awarded the prize for the Best Masterplan World Wide at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona. “We never made a city plan before, so we actually did not know that we crossed the line as often as we did. There are a lot of conventions in mod-

The prestigious award was followed by several first prize city plans, and today, the firm is, despite the economic crisis, busier than ever with major development projects.

Respecting the context not the conventions Though Entasis’ city planning has been hugely successful, it is by no means the only part of the firm’s work that has at-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Above: Kildeskovens Public Bath carefully integrated into the original bath from 1970 by Karen and Ebbe Clemmensen: the youngest listed building in Denmark.

tracted attention. The very first work by the firm, the entrance to Copenhagen Zoo, was awarded the 1st prize for Best Building in Europe by the American Institute of Architects in 1998. Since then the firm’s balanced and constant quality has been among the many things praised in their work. “What critics and professional committees often notice is that we don’t follow the current trends but have a constant quality in our work, which, referring back to the pioneers of modernism, unites dynamics with resistance, lightness with gravity and empathy with unconditional statements. We seek, and find, the balance and that is the trademark of our buildings,” explains Cold.

Apart from the wish to create buildings uniquely independent of current trends, it is the desire to leave something which will stand the test of time which drives Cold and his company. “A building should stand 200 maybe 400 years. But the way things are today what is trending now won’t last

more than 15 years, maybe it won’t even last until the building is finished, whereas our buildings will stand the toll of time not just physically but also with regard to their identity. Our point is simply to create architecture which will last over time,” explains Cold pragmatically.

Benefitting everyone After winning the bid for the new Carlsberg neighbourhood, several other masterplan prizes have followed. Among the attributes which attract developers are the projects’ inherent sustainable qualities. Among other things, recreating the concentration of the old city centres and combining industrial and residential buildings means that residents can walk and cycle most places within the area, says Cold. “The last 80 years or so architects have tried to separate industry and residential areas because industry used to be connected with unpleasant, noisy and polluting structures. But that is not the way it is today and interknitting the sec-

tors creates both economic and social sustainability with people working and living within short distances of each other, and environmentally it means that there is little need of cars, and cables and utilities to travel shorter distances.” These ideas have been successfully integrated in projects and proposals in Denmark like Thomas B Thriges Gade in Odense, Søtorvet at Silkeborg as well as Lierstranda Fjordby in Norway, and projects in Austria and Germany.

Though now highly successful with their city plans, Entasis has not abandoned the design of individual buildings and landscapes. “Despite being a small architectural office, we don’t specialise. We can handle all the jobs that are put to us,” explains Cold adding humorously: “Ten years a ago we won an assignment to design the new Royal Defence Academy. It was eventually nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Prize – the Oscar of architecture. Working with the client, I spoke to a highly ranked officer about our firm. He concluded that we are a bit like a special unit in the military - a unit that you send in to take care of a job quickly and efficiently and without the complications and mess of a big battalion - like a James Bond unit; I thought that sounded like a lot more fun than being just a regular battalion!”

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

Above left: Carlsberg Fly By, showing a dense green sustainable city. Middle: Carlsberg recreational hotspot: a public pool in the middle of the city district. Right: Royal Defence Academy: rough and elegant - concrete and glass in a dynamic space.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 33

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Vrigsted church, near the town of Juelsminde, Jutland

Renovating and renewing the past Specialising in the restoration of historic churches, manor houses and other listed buildings, Arkitektfirmaet Vilhelmsen Marxen & Bech-Jensen A/S (VMB) literally work in the midst of Danish architecture’s history.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Vilhelmsen Marxen & Bech-Jensen A/S

The firm, which was founded in 1935, has worked with everything from the earliest examples of modernistic Scandinavian architecture to 1000-year-old medieval churches. An example of the former is the firm’s own headquarters Klintegården in central Aarhus. The building was constructed in 1935 and listed because of its unique reflections of the architectonic, technical and social changes which dominated the radical movements of the time.

“Our projects span from medieval churches to modernistic architecture, and there are so many parameters which decide how the project develops, and the unpredictability is one of the things which

34 | Issue 44 | September 2012

makes our work so interesting,” explains partner Mette Viuf Larsen. “What drives us is our passion for the different cultural environments which we live among and how we can activate the heritage from these and make it meaningful to other people.”

This vision has been passed down through four generations of architects who have restored, renovated and refurbished more than 1400 buildings of significance in Denmark.

Uniting present and past Due to the complicated decision processes and many partners involved when working with cultural heritage,

churches and listed buildings, VMB’s projects often take up to five years to complete, and action plans, which are made at the beginning of the process, might very well change once underway. This is not a sign of indecisiveness on the part of VMB or their clients but rather a natural consequence of working with buildings that have centuries of history hidden behind their walls.

When you start peeling off layers, you sometimes get surprised at what you initially thought you would find; the Vrigsted Church in eastern Jutland started out as an ordinary church restoration but then took an unexpected turn. “It was a quite long process where we, in cooperation with Denmark’s National Museum, were supposed to restore the ceiling, the walls and vaults,” explains Larsen. “The plaster on the walls was extremely hard, more like concrete, meaning we had to dig really

Above left: The ceiling in the chapel of Ringkøbing. Right: Veng church, altar and sculpture by Erik Heide

deep, and in the process, we uncovered traces of the entire history of the church: frescos from six Romanesque periods dating back to the foundation of the church.”

The church was founded in the 12th century and, apart from the frescos, the restoration process also uncovered the church’s old women’s door (men and women entered churches separately in medieval times), the original windows and holes for the beams of the original flat roof. “When we presented this to the different partners involved, we agreed that we had to find a way to leave all those amazing historic findings exposed while at the same time maintaining a functional and harmonic church, which would still be able to serve its main purpose – housing services,” says Larsen.

The team finished the project with some quite simple adjustments and a new contemporary refurbishment and lighting of the church - consequently ending up with a very different result than they had imag-

ined and a church room unlike any other in Denmark. “Vrigsted Church exemplifies the way we work and see things quite well; we approach every project individually and the choices we make are based on an evaluation of value, and in this case we found that it was valuable to show the church’s history but also to create an overall aesthetic appearance and, of course, to preserve its function,” Larsen concludes.

thing you do. We are very conscious about our time and the architectonic language we use, which is more or less evident in all steps taken by us; our restoration will often be one of a long line of restorations and adjustments to the building, and our work is therefore marked by a historic distance – what we regard as quality today might not have been perceived in the same way earlier, and likewise future generations may not agree with our quality con-

When renovating and refurbishing churches, VMB frequently works with Danish artists to create unique solutions in the space between art, architecture and the historic environment Adding a layer to history Restoring historic and listed buildings entails an acute awareness of the significant developments within Danish architecture – local and national. Consequently VMB has also become very conscious of their own position in this history. “When working the way we do, it is very important to be conscious about the motives behind every-

The “Klintegaarden” housing in Aarhus

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 35

Left: Støvringgaard Convent

in 1672, later transformed into a convent and today converted into living units. No matter what kind of project the firm works with the overall vision is, says Larsen, the same: “We work with all kinds of value adding restorations and buildings with a strong identity. Our goal is not to be big or the biggest, but juts to make a difference and always add something valuable to the assignments, place or building.”

Facts: VMB was founded in 1935.

The company specialises in the restoration of listed buildings, churches, manor houses, ruins and memorials, and also has extensive experience in furniture, lightning and organs for churches.

VMB comprises eight architects and construction managers but also has a wide network of outside sources of expertise.

Since 1988 the firm has been located in the listed Klintegården on which they continuously practice their trade.

cept. This is why we base decisions on analysis and valuation before proceeding with restorations, removals and/or additions,” explains Larsen.

VMB not only works with restoration but also new designs of extensions and connected buildings, such as vicarages, chapels and parish councils. “No matter what we do, we have to relate to the context and the existing surroundings and how to build into them. It is not like building on an empty field. You have to get im-

mersed in the projects but that also makes it a lot more fun. The more you know about historic buildings the more fun the work with them is,” stresses Larsen. “It is about removing the tension field between new and old and helping the people who use the buildings get the most out of them and their values.”

Another way VMB does this is through continuous upkeep and counselling on developments as they have done for a decade at Støvringgård, an old manor house built

Due to the close cooperation with clients, most projects are located in Denmark, but the firm has won the competition to design a new organ for Marienfelde Church near Berlin and has participated in a competition to design a new organ for Luxembourg’s new concert hall.

Address: Skovvejen 46 i, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

For more information, please visit: www.vmb-arkitekter.dk

Above left: The “Gren” Pendant series, designed by VMB-arkitekter. Middle: The new organ, Vejlby Church in Aarhus. Right: A new porch for the medieval church in Gjerlev, Jutland

36 | Issue 44 | September 2012

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Above left: The ferry terminal for the Bornholm route. Right: The bio pill factory for DONG Energy

A small architectural firm with big ideas Køge Architects (Arkitekterne Køge A/S) is a relatively small architectural firm with just 10 employees located in Køge, south of Copenhagen. Despite its small size, the company has completed several large projects for the energy and chemical industries. Clients come from both the private and public sectors, and the architectural firm has extensive experience when it comes to consultancy, not just on new builds but also on improving and extending existing buildings.

By Yane Christensen | Photos: Arkitekterne Køge A/S

The architectural firm was founded 35 years ago and was originally involved in planning large housing complexes but has more recently been responsible for building several exclusive villas. The firm has continuously enjoyed great success with its housing projects as the architects take great care to understand their clients' lifestyles. They apply the same work ethic to the educational sector, where the firm has had equally great success. They have

been involved in the radical rebuilding of several community schools, and by consulting both teachers and students, they have succeeded in creating buildings that support the rapidly changing teaching methods in the education sector.

Some of the many successful projects Køge Architects are particularly proud of include: – The bio pill factory for DONG Energy; particularly interesting for the firm as it passionately promotes sustainable energy.

– The top floor of Køge Museum of Art; an additional floor added onto the existing museum building to create a stunning exhibition space and lecture room.

–The ferry terminal for the Bornholm route; the building houses the terminal as well as several offices and has amazing views over Køge Bay.

The top floor of Køge Museum of Art.

The company's analytical work methods are based on a strong Danish architectural tradition, and the employees approach projects like artists rather than engineers. This results in more unusual projects with artistic characteristics. By focussing on design, function, cost and sustainability throughout the process, they create unique buildings for all their customers, irrespective of size or use.

The majority of Køge Architects’ projects are based in Denmark, but the firm has taken note of exciting developments and increased activity in Norway and Sweden as the architects feel that they have something to offer there. They feel particularly excited about tackling international projects and sharing their Danish architectural traditions with the rest of the world.

more information, please ForFor more information, please visit:visit: www.arkk.dk

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 37

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Interior of the kitchen and dining area facing the covered built-in terrace.

Prefab just got fabulous When viewing one of ONV Architects' prefabricated homes, the “ONVhouse”, you can leave your preconceived ideas about prefabs by the front door. These homes are totally fab, no matter which angle you approach from.

By Yane Christensen | Photos: ONV Architects

The incredibly ambitious idea behind the ONVhouse concept was predominantly to create an “architectural quality” yet affordable home, made from sustainable materials of a high quality. The architects and the manufacturers have collaborated on optimising the production process in order to minimise the costs.

The concept is extremely flexible and can be adapted to the client's specific needs and is suitable for anything, from a basic summer house to a permanent residence.

38 | Issue 44 | September 2012

The result is a beautiful, pared-down structure in a wood-stud façade, clad with your surface of choice, such as the classy Siberian larch. These minimalist residences offer simple Scandinavian style with emphasis on functionality. The buildings appear as a box-like form with clean lines, wood being the dominating material from an external viewpoint.

The ONVhouse comes in different configurations. In order to minimise production costs, these are all based on the same ba-

sic plan. The layout is flexible and the size of the house ranges from 80 to 200 square metres; the smallest being the two bedroom starter home or summerhouse and the largest a three to four bedroom property over two floors. Several of the designs have scope for expansion, which can be developed later, as and when necessary, using pre-fabricated modules. For instance, a house can at a later stage be extended by a module which includes one or two bedrooms and a bathroom - perfect for the expanding family or for people working from home.

All the floor plans include a large central space for living and dining, as well as an open kitchen, ideal for modern family life and entertaining. Stylish, up-to-date

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

kitchens and bathrooms come as standard. Large windows and skylights spread natural light throughout the house. Depending on the surroundings, the huge amount of glass also brings nature inside. Movable louvered shutters add to the beauty of the main façade, but they also provide shade and privacy for the rest of the house or shelter for the terrace, prolonging the season for outdoor living.

Prefabricated elements, each consisting of two to four rooms, will be delivered by truck and assembled on the building site or plot (although in some countries the elements might arrive in flat sections). The final building can be completed within a very short time. The modules are factory built and come with complete interiors, ready for assembly and utility connection.

Building with prefabricated modules reduces the building time, making the process more flexible and less dependent on weather conditions. It couldn't be any easier: choose your perfect plot, then choose your dream house, and watch the large cranes literally drop your dream home into place in a matter of hours.

Sustainable industrial architecture “I simply had to create a new concept house – the world is moving fast and we improve in all areas daily. Regarding concept houses, not much has happened in the last 20 years – that’s why it is important to bring modern, sustainable and flexible houses on the market,” explains Søren Rasmussen, architect and founder of ONV.

Above: Illustrations of some of the different sizes/types.

In addition to the ONVhouse, the architectural firm is currently building 800 affordable homes in Denmark, using prefabricated elements. The houses are terraced and come with two to four floors and at a cost of around P1000/m2; they are ideal for global export. For more information on the prefabricated homes, visit: www.onv-prefab.dk.

The ONV House is available in Sweden and Norway, but ONV is currently negotiating with agents in both the UK and Denmark. Since production began five years ago, 100 ONVhouses have been built in Scandinavia. With their perfect package of sustainability, affordability and great design, there's no reason why ONV's modular methods shouldn't go global.

For more information, please visit: www.onv.dk and www.onv-prefab.dk Swedish Agent: Willa Nordic, www.willanordic.se Contact: Mathias Hjaelmeby Norwegian Agent: Nordbolig, www.nordbolig.no Contact: Oddvar Haugen

ONV Architects are based in Copenhagen, and the studio is led by architect Søren Rasmussen, who is personally involved in all their projects. ONV has special competencies and extensive experience in building houses, institutions and sports facilities with prefabricated elements.

The firm has received several architectural awards and has long been a frontrunner when it comes to building with prefabricated elements. ONV can be credited with developing a process where prefabricated modules can be varied and adjusted for almost any purpose.

Top left: The house is built on a hill; it was delivered in three boxes and finished in 14 days. Below: The house has a covered built-in terrace towards southwest as well as moveable shutters.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 39

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

Left and middle: The Green Lighthouse (Photo: Christian Mørk). Top right: Michael Christensen, founder and director, Christensen & Co Arkitekter. Below: The office of Christensen & Co Arkitekter

Ground-breaking combinations of innovative architecture and sustainable solutions Christensen & Co Arkitekter has proved that interesting architecture and care for the environment go hand in hand. An oxygen-producing forest at a university campus and a nursery run by solar panels are just some of the innovative projects with which they have gained momentum.

ter winning a couple of competitions early on where sustainable solutions were integrated, the basis of the firm was laid,” Christensen said.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Christensen & Co Arkitekter

The major project determining the outset of the firm was the Green Lighthouse project. Being Denmark’s first CO2 neutral public building, and home to the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, 70% of the reduction of energy consumption is the direct consequence of architectural design. “This was the stepping stone into the market for us, and we learned how to better integrate sustainable solutions in our projects. Energy saving solutions in themselves are not interesting but need to be a part of the larger picture. Thus, they have to be included

Christensen & Co Arkitekter was only established in 2006 but has, in a few years, marked itself as a pioneer within innovative architecture with integrated sustainable solutions. Their portfolio shows a list of remarkable projects, all illustrating that exceptional architecture can also be good for the environment. “The key is to find solutions that work at all architectural levels, including appearance and functionality, while integrating sustainable solutions as a natural part of the

40 | Issue 44 | September 2012

process,” founder and director Michael Christensen says.

Behind Denmark’s first CO2 neutral public building – the basis of the firm Christensen could look back at a long career with one of Denmark’s most reputable architecture firms before establishing his own, where he drew on his extensive experience of science and educational projects in particular. “It was natural to continue along those lines, and af-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

among the basic ideas of the building from the very start,” Christensen elaborates. The approach has proved successful, and the firm was nominated for the European Business Awards earlier this year, in the category Environment and Corporate Sustainability. “We are obviously flattered that our work is recognised, and that people appreciate what we do,” Christensen notes Going back in time A leading country within sustainability, Denmark is an inspiration to many. It is a pressing issue and is becoming increasingly important within every aspect of society. However, Christensen makes the point that we are only just returning to old traditions. “Before, they built their houses to take advantage of the surrounding nature, cold or warm, and knew how to exploit the house to its full potential. You still see it in Africa and in the Arctic areas,” Christensen says. “We are thus going back in time, taking into consideration wind directions, the sun and the natural surroundings of the building.”

Following this approach, every project adheres to particular characteristics although not a style. “Every project and building has a unique history which we need to take into consideration, but the golden thread is utilisation of daylight and creation of social spaces,” Christensen elaborates.

A university campus out of the ordinary When the new DTU 324 building, part of the Technical University Denmark in Lyngby, opens in December, it will make other students green with envy. The building is characterised by eight towers over three floors, containing research and lec-

The new DTU 324 building, part of the Technical University Denmark in Lyngby

ture rooms, which are connected by bridges. Integrated in the space are 20 large black olive trees, reaching six to eight metres into the air. Together, these produce sufficient oxygen and humidity that they reduce the need for technical ventilation. “They create a natural environment,” Christensen says about this ground-breaking way of thinking.

The Sun House – a nursery that creates a new generation of sustainable minds Another noteworthy project is Solhuset, appropriately translating to the Sun House. The nursery runs on electricity from solar panels, and the building is carefully faced south to get the most of out the sun. The building also houses an integrated greenhouse, and the children can see how solar panels work. “While the aim was obviously to create a nursery where

children would be happy, it was also to make them aware of sustainable solutions. These are the people of the future, and this way, they will understand how the world works from an early age,” Christensen says, and continues to emphasise the importance of daylight by referring to a study by a PhD student who followed a group within the nursery a year and a half before they started and a year and a half after. “Children and workers are exposed to three times the normal daylight at the nursery, and the PhD student found remarkable evidence that they were happier, less physically ill and more concentrated after starting at the nursery.”

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

Above: The Sun House (Solhuset) runs on electricity from solar panels on the roof. Photos: Adam Mørk.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 41

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

The new shopping mall in Stavtrup

Building our everyday frames Not many people think about who designed the supermarket they shop in, the building they live in or the place they work, still it is those buildings which affect our daily lives the most. Good quality everyday architecture is the area of expertise of Architect Freddie Eriksen and his company Eriksen Arkitekter A/S.

struction process. We always maintain our focus on improving and growing within the organisation,” says Eriksen.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Eriksen Arkitekter A/S

Buildings that will last

Established in 1985, Eriksen Arkitekter A/S has been behind the creation of many major retail chains’ supermarkets as well as residential and industrial buildings.

“Since founding the firm, my objective has been to heighten the quality of what we normally call everyday architecture. It has always been under-prioritised because there is not a lot of prestige involved in these kinds of projects. But we are surrounded by it all the time, when we shop, fuel our car, go to work and come home, and although a lot of architects prefer

42 | Issue 44 | September 2012

prestigious projects like cultural institutions and grand housing projects, I think it is important to prioritise,” stresses Eriksen, who has also founded Eriksen Arkitekter’s three sister companies Eriksen Entreprise A/S, Eriksen Development A/S and Eriksen Projektudvikling A/S. The companies work closely together, meaning that they can provide overall solutions to developers. “The close cooperation with Eriksen Development A/S and Eriksen Entreprise A/S produces many advantages and can shorten and optimise the con-

Located in the centre of Aarhus, Eriksen Arkitekter A/S has been behind several projects in the region, among them a new shopping mall in Stavtrup, a western suburb of Aarhus. “We have worked within an array of areas especially within housing for young people, which we still do but right now the housing market is not at its highest whereas there is a lot of industrial development going on,” explains Eriksen.

The project in Stavtrup, which consists of a large supermarket as well as four retail shops, is a typical example of the com-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Architecture

pany’s work as many suburban areas attracting more and more people need an upgrading of shopping and service facilities. “We try to continue the Danish design and construction traditions mixed with our own innovation. One of the things we especially focus on is that our materials are thoroughly tested to ensure that the building will last for many years. The materials have to patinate in a way that will give the building an acceptable architectonic appearance in 20 years too,” explains Eriksen. “With these kind of buildings it is important that they do not require too much maintenance. They need to age gracefully and that is why we use a lot of steel, glass, brick and tile.”

The choice of materials also works to reflect the usage of the building and enforces the image of the client, says Eriksen, as it can be seen in the new M.H. Møbler (Furniture) production and administration hall in Hasselager southwest of Aarhus. “It is important to M.H. Møbler to provide a guaranty of quality and good craftsmanship, and consequently that is also what the architecture should signal,” explains Eriksen. The building consists of

a production hall in concrete with large windows, which creates light work spaces, and an administration on two levels with transparent rooms and high-quality materials.

An economic outlook Although the economic crisis has undeniably restrained the growth of new developments within some areas, Eriksen Arkitekter A/S’s extensive experience within economically tight projects has proven a great access in the new economic climate. “With great expertise within the creation of youth housing, typically an area with strictly limited budgets, we are very used to the new demands of the financial crisis,” says Eriksen. “Actually the crisis has been rather positive to us because it has brought attention to the type of projects that we can do. We have been good at solving low budget projects in permanent ways and that is what a lot of people need at the moment.

Once the decision is made, it is important to our clients to know that the time plan and budget will be kept. They need to know exactly what they get and when they get it.”

Facts: Eriksen Arkitekter A/S was founded in 1985 by Freddie Eriksen.

The firm specialises in economic, durable and architectonically pleasant everyday architecture.

Eriksen Entreprise A/S and Eriksen Projektudvikling A/S were founded in 2000 and solve an array of assignments within enterprise project development and architecture.

Eriksen Development A/S was founded in 2007 and provides overall solutions for developers.

Address: Vestergade 83, 8000 Aarhus

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

The new M.H. Møbler production and administration hall in Hasselager southwest of Aarhus.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 43

: ES ME OUS E TH GHTH L I A CI AN L E SP AVI D IN N A SC

Explore Scandinavia – one lighthouse at a time From far up north to the southern coast of Norway and on Swedish islands, you will find some of the most charming and well-kept lighthouses that offer visitors exquisite sea views and a glimpse into days gone by when the lighthouses were still manned by lighthouse keepers. Scan Magazine takes you on a tour of unique lighthouses located in both Norway and Sweden.

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Terje Rakke, Nordic Life AS, visitnorway.com

While some old lighthouses are still operational, modern times and automated equipment have rendered the lighthouse keeper pretty much obsolete. The keepers used to take care of the lighthouse, tending to operation and upkeep that is now done remotely; and their families often lived with them in the lighthouse keepers’ connected

44 | Issue 44 | September 2012

or nearby dwellings. In some places, uniquely, the lighthouse keeper’s flat was in the lighthouse itself – something extraordinary for visitors to experience today.

A lot of old lighthouses in Scandinavia have been renovated and can now be rented by holidaymakers or businesses

looking for a special conference venue.

The lighthouses are sure to offer a lot of historical charm as well as a lovely, often somewhat remote, location and amazing views. You can spend your time bird watching, fishing or exploring Scandinavian nature, whether it’s down south or all the way up north where the reindeer roam.

While not all lighthouses offer accommodation, most often some can be arranged nearby, but even on their own they are a sight worth seeing – a genuine experience waiting to be discovered by travellers in search of a taste of Nordic history, culture, charm and beauty.

Please read on to learn more about a selection of Norwegian and Swedish lighthouses.

Lille Presteskjær Fyr is the perfect getaway for a romantic weekend as well as a family holiday.

kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom, with an unbeatable view from the very top. “Very few lighthouses in Norway have the keeper’s flat in the actual lighthouse, which our guests are particularly excited about,” Midtbø notes. “It is the perfect place for loved-up couples who wish to get away for a couple of days, and for families who are keen on a different holiday experience with plenty of seaside activities to enjoy.” The lighthouse is also a popular venue for parties and seminars.

A short boat trip away Although the lighthouse is on the mainland, the only way to access it is by boat, which is included in the rent of the lighthouse, and the guests may use it throughout their stay. “It is the best and easiest way to explore the archipelago surrounding the lighthouse,” Midtbø says. “I recommend our guests stay two nights to experience both day and night at the lighthouse, and it is equally special on sunny and stormy days.”

Live like a true lighthouse keeper at Lille Presteskjær Fyr Lille Presteskjær Fyr is the perfect getaway for a romantic weekend as well as a family holiday. The newly renovated lighthouse on the southwest coast of Norway gives the guests the opportunity to live like true lighthouse keepers, while experiencing the unique atmosphere that characterises the lighthouse day and night.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Lille Presteskjær Fyr

Lille Presteskjær Fyr was long forgotten when the family Midtbø rediscovered and renovated the old lighthouse in the 1990s.

After years of intense work of returning the place to its old charm, they finally opened the doors in 2004. As one of very few lighthouses in Norway, guests could now live like genuine lighthouse keepers in the very building itself. “We wanted to renovate the ignored lighthouse back to its

original state and show it off to everyone,” manager Berith Midtbø says.

A place for romantic weekends and family holidays out of the ordinary The lighthouse dates back to 1895 and is unique in the way that the lighthouse keeper and his whole family lived in the actual lighthouse. Thus, after the renovation, the building consists of an updated

For more information, please visit: www.fyr.no/fyrene/fyrene-sor/ rogaland/552-lille-presteskjaer Contact person: Berith Midtbø, berith.midtbo@dabb.no, +47 90 96 31 12

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 45

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Scandinavian Lighthouses

The lighthouse at the end of the road In the far north of Norway, on the same longitude as northern Alaska, stands protected lighthouse Slettnes Fyr. The northernmost lighthouse on the European mainland has been lighting up the rough and dangerous seas since the early 1900s.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Slettnes Fyr

Slettnes Fyr was originally built in 1905 after pressure from the shipping community who were concerned about the safety of passing ships.

signed around it. All other lighthouses were rebuilt in concrete, so Slettnes Fyr has a unique and distinctive look, boasting the only cast-iron tower in Finnmark.

Destruction and rebuilding

“People lived and worked here with their families until the 1970s,” says Johnsrud.

“The families then moved out, while the husbands worked two weeks on and two weeks off. In 2005, the lighthouse was completely modernized and automated, and has since been controlled remotely.”

“Towards the end of World War II, lighthouses along the coastline of Finnmark were destroyed by the Germans who employed a scorched earth strategy, burning down huge parts of the county,” says general manager Torstein Johnsrud. “Slettnes Fyr suffered substantial damage, and the only thing left when the forces moved out was the lower part of the original tower.”

Renowned architects Blakstad and Munthe-Kaas, who were tasked with drawing Finnmark’s new lighthouses, left the lower part of the iron tower and de-

46 | Issue 44 | September 2012

Slettnes Fyr today The still operational lighthouse now doubles up as a holiday destination off the beaten track. During the summer, the café opens and guided tours of the tower are on offer. Accommodation for up to 12 people can be provided, and Slettnes Fyr

is also available for private functions ranging from seminars to weddings.

The area is home to one of the most important nesting areas in Norway and is an increasingly popular destination for bird watchers. During migration, the Red Billed Loon and the Pomarine Skua are counted in higher numbers here than anywhere else in the world.

“What really makes Slettnes Fyr so special is the fact that nothing here is made for tourists; it is all 100% authentic, and for those wanting a genuine experience away from the ordinary tourist trails, Slettnes Fyr promises to deliver,” says Johnsrud.

Slettnes Fyr is easily accessible from Mehamn, which has an airport and a port.

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Scandinavian Lighthouses

Sula Lighthouse - A cultural pearl by the sea Spend a night like a proper lighthouse keeper at Sula Lighthouse and understand why artists and tourists alike return year after year.

History through the walls A visit to Sula Lighthouse opens a window into the long maritime history of Norway; it is listed because of its cultural importance. Thus, during the renovation in 2004, the flats were returned to their original appearance. “People can truly live the way the lighthouse keeper and the assistant

did,” Ek says. Many guests also come for the spectacular bird watching opportunities, particularly during autumn.

A cultural hotspot The lighthouse also plays a central role in the area’s cultural life and has a long tradition of inspiring artists. While it is worth mentioning the annual art exhibitions, where acclaimed artists like Håkon Gullvåg and Camilla Giri have exhibited, the lighthouse also houses international artists a few weeks a year through the cooperation Artists in Residence. “Artists and others appreciate the calm atmosphere and the beautiful surroundings,” Ek says.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Terje Norheim

Sula Lighthouse dates back to 1909 and is located on a picturesque island group in the middle of Norway. While still being in operation, guests can enjoy a genuine lighthouse experience by staying at one of the lighthouse flats and rent a boat to take in the place from the sea. “Spend a night, and understand why people for generations have found peace and inspiration here,” says Sol Kristin Ek, one of the enthusiasts behind Foundation Sula Lighthouse that bought the place in 2004.

For more information, please visit: opplevsula.no

Following the reindeer – a Northern experience In the far north of Norway where the reindeer roam, the Utsi family have settled on Polmakmoen Gjestegård in Tana. There, they offer visitors a taste of the traditional Saami lifestyle. Furthermore, it is the starting point of a truly stunning experience – the journey along “De syv kaffekok”.

From Polmakmoen, one can follow the route taken by the Saami reindeer herders along the seven “kaffekok”, or coffee stations. Through beautiful nature steeped in history, the stretch ends up at Kjølnes Fyr, the now listed lighthouse that forms the seventh station.

Ester Utsi, the driving force behind the idea, explains that each “kaffekok” has its own theme that reflects part of the route.

Fittingly, the theme of Kjølnes Lighthouse is “arrival”. Utsi, who comes from a family of reindeer herders, elaborates on the seemingly simple theme of the final station. “When the herders had trekked from far inland, through the beautiful but harsh conditions, Kjølnes Lighthouse marked

the relief of arrival. Now, as then, it is an open space where one can relax, breathe out and feel at one with nature.”

Situated on the brink of the stormy ocean, the appeal of the lighthouse, Utsi states, is that “it allows you to be so incredibly close to the elements, yet on safe ground”.

In spectacular surroundings, with opportunities for bird watching, as well as the occasional showcasing of traditional Saami singing by Utsi herself, Kjølnes Lighthouse truly is a destination for mind, body and soul.

By Hannah Gillow Kloster Photos: Polmakmoen Gjestegård/Kjølnes Fyr

For more information, please visit: www.polmakmoen-gjestegard.no

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 47

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Scandinavian Lighthouses

Ryvingen Lighthouse – the southernmost lighthouse in Norway You find Ryvingen Lighthouse in solitude on a scenic island seven kilometres from Mandal, in southern Norway. Live like a proper lighthouse keeper, completely in tune with the history that dates back to 1867.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Kai-Wilhelm Nessler

A view all the way to Denmark

As the traffic on the sea increased, Ryvingen Lighthouse appeared, ready to signal with one of the strongest lights in the world. Strategically located, the lighthouse was important for the import and export industry in Norway, and Mandal in particular. Thus, lighthouse keepers and their families have lived there for over a hundred years, and the sea and the sky continue to meet in harmony to this day.

“You may rent Ryvingen Lighthouse all year long, and it is a lovely place whether you would like to be alone or share the nearly 30 beds that we offer with friends or colleagues,” lighthouse hostess Rita Tove Dyrstad says.

Spot on for work seminars and holidays alike Guests return time after time to indulge in the magnificent atmosphere on Ryvingen Island, where long walks, bird watching and crab fishing are among popular ac-

48 | Issue 44 | September 2012

we would like to return to’, and ‘the best thing we have done for a long time’. Others noted they spent their wedding night here, and it was a good start to their marriage,” Dyrstad says with a smile.

From the 22.5-metre high lighthouse, you can almost see all the way to Denmark. The lighthouse is available for rental all year long, so whether you fancy spending New Year’s somewhere exotic other than Thailand, or would like a different summer holiday, Ryvingen Lighthouse is the place to go.

Facts For bookings autumn-winter: Call +47 41 55 68 66 For bookings between 20 June – 20 August: Call +47 97 77 93 50

tivities. In combination with modern luxuries like electricity and running water, it is a popular venue for small seminars as well as holidays. “A couple of days at Ryvingen do the trick for most people, and we read in the guestbook that it is ‘a place

Boat to Ryvingen Lighhouse: Call Tregde Feriesenter, +47 90 99 83

For more information, please visit: www.ryvingenfyr.no www.ryvingensvenner.no

Enjoy first-class service all year round in historically stunning settings Experience the archipelago of Stockholm like never before by staying at Söderarm conference centre, which combines its military heritage with exceptional service in stunning settings, with starry nights and northern lights.

By Therese Wallin | Photos: Söderarm

Söderarm is located on the island of Torskär, which is also the home of a lighthouse from 1839 that has been declared a historical monument. At Söderarm, the focus is on providing visitors an extraordinary stay and on catering to the individual needs of guests in the striking environment. "Our guests come here to experience the archipelago in a new way, which extends beyond traditional activities and allows them to focus on relaxation and work simultaneously,” says owner Anngret Andersson. The military used to occupy the island, and its legacy has been kept by Andersson as an intrinsic part of Söderarm.

wildlife allow visitors to be close to nature; visitors can also enjoy stunning views by attending a guided tour of the lighthouse.

Andersson has used her creativity to transform the purpose of some of the remaining military structures. "We have a bunker sauna and a cannon bar, something which our guests cannot enjoy anywhere else,” explains Andersson. There is a range of activities that guests can engage in, but most prefer to enjoy the beautiful nature of the island and spend a few hours in the bunker sauna.

The lighthouse and military heritage

Guests are welcome at Söderarm all year round; the archipelago is breathtakingly beautiful during the winter months with its starry skies, and there is even an opportunity to catch the northern lights. Andersson's team make their guests feel at

All the houses on the archipelago are run by the conference centre. "We have ensured to preserve the houses' traditional interior from the 1950s,” says Andersson.

The peaceful surroundings and the rich

home through their dedication to high standards, "We are not your ordinary staff; we only accept one group of visitors at a time and this gives us the chance to cater to their every need." This includes sorting out travel arrangements, and guests can be at Söderarm within two hours after having arrived at Stockholm Arlanda airport. Upon arrival, they will quickly become acquainted with Söderarm's culinary expertise and its use of local produce, which was recently praised by the prestigious food magazine Fine Dining.

“Extraordinary experience available all year round”

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

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 49

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Scandinavian Lighthouses

fortable," explains Rimfors. Moreover, there is a cafe and restaurant on the island, with meals based on local produce, whenever possible. There are also selfcatering facilities available.

Birds and flora Stora Karlsö is popular amongst birdwatchers, as well as those looking to spend some time out in nature discovering how humans used to live. On the island, there are traces of how people used to live as far back as the Stone Age. Rimfors assures: "The nature out here is unique and there is an infinite number of things to see."

When purchasing a ticket to Stora Karlsö, a guided tour is included. The other year, the team started hosting tours especially designed for children, which have proved popular. Stora Karlsö's ability to offer something to all its visitors makes it an unforgettable experience.

Karlsö from above. Photo: Aron Hejdström

Find a Mediterranean feeling just outside of Gotland During the summer months, the island of Gotland is a popular destination for tourists.

But do not confine yourself to this picturesque island; instead, take a short and beautiful boat ride to Stora Karlsö, where something out of the ordinary awaits you.

By Therese Wallin | Photos: Stora Karlsö

Stora Karlsö is often described as a "Nordic gem of nature", which is a phrase that captures the essence of what visitors can expect to experience. Petter Rimfors, Chairman of Stora Karlsö, says that visitors are mesmerized by the nature. “There is something for everyone here, and our visitors come both to discover the rich wildlife and nature as well as to find peace and tranquillity."

Accommodation for all budgets Stora Karlsö has different types of accommodation, with something suitable for every visitor. The most spectacular view is perhaps caught by staying in the light-

50 | Issue 44 | September 2012

house, which was built in 1887 and used to be the residence of the lighthouse keeper.

Rimfors says that staying in the lighthouse is far from your average night away.

“Guests who choose to spend a night or two in the lighthouse can not only enjoy the spectacular views but also absorb its history."

There is also a hostel on the island, which has previously been awarded "hostel of the year" in Sweden, as well as a beach house where visitors can stay.

"All our facilities are maintained to ensure that guests feel at home and are com-

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

’’

Nordea is a strong bank with a clear vision for the future.

This makes it an excellent address for our clients.

Claus Sigersted, Private Banker

Visit us at www.nordeaprivatebanking.com, or call +352 43 88 77 77 for more information.

Making it possible Nordea Bank S.A is a part of the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Some products and services mentioned may, due to local regulations, not be available to individuals resident in certain countries. The attention of the investor is drawn to the fact that there can be no guarantee on the profitability of any investment in financial instruments and that such investment may entail losses, and this irrespective of the quality of the fund managers selected by the Bank. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Nordea Bank is subject to the supervision of the CSSF (www.cssf.lu). Approved by Nordea Bank Finland Plc., London Branch regulated by the FSA in the UK. Published by Nordea Bank S.A., (R.C.S. Luxembourg No. B 14157) 562, rue de Neudorf, L-2220 Luxembourg, Tel +352 43 88 77 77.

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Skeppsbron in Stockholm’s old town

An autumn to remember Autumn is a beautiful season to discover the world and Sweden is no exception; here you´ll find everything from breathtaking nature to the latest trends within fashion, design and food.

catch your own lobsters with a local fisherman on the gorgeous west coast (www.westsweden.com).

By Thomas Brühl, Visit Sweden | Photo: Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.com

Ecological Skåne (www.skane.com) is a dream for friends of the environment and beautiful, long beaches. Rent a bike, book a SPA-treatment, and go for an organic fika (coffee and cake) at one of the cosy cafés as the waves roll in.

Acknowledged as one of the world’s most beautiful cities by Lonely Planet, the capital Stockholm offers a certain glow during the months ahead. Stroll the cobblestone streets of old town, take a boat to the remote archipelago or pick up the latest trends from fashionable Filippa K and Acne. All can be done on one and the same weekend (www.visitstockholm.com).

Those keen on the outdoors are advised to pack their tents and head further up north. Sweden’s mountains, lakes and forests offer peacefulness like nowhere else. Why not pay an early visit to the fa-

52 | Issue 44 | September 2012

mous Ice hotel? Working with STF Abisko Tourist station, the hotel offers packages combining the autumn spark with the northern lights in one and the same show (www.icehotel.com).

Can’t wait until winter? Families keen on skiing will most likely be able to catch some early snow in the popular resorts of Sälen and Åre (www.skistar.com).

Foodies shouldn’t miss out on the vibrant harbour city of Gothenburg, the culinary capital of Sweden 2012. Here you’ll find world-class sea food and the chance to

Our country is long, big and spacious. A recent survey by VisitSweden showed that people abroad associated Sweden with nature as well as shopping and culture.

Since 2000, Sweden’s tourism has increased by 147%, and hopefully, we will see more of you very soon – perhaps this autumn already?

Seafood safari along Sweden’s most beautiful coastline As the days get shorter and the nights grow longer, it is the perfect time to visit Sweden’s west coast - the county of Bohuslän - where the fun does not end just because the summer has. The region’s Shellfish Journey invites visitors on a spectacular palate-pleasing voyage of discovery into the wonders of the sea.

”Our guests have found the experience to be fantastic,” says Jill Axelsson, project manager for food tourism at the West Sweden Tourist Board, ”especially foreign tourists who did not know that this part of Sweden was so attractive all year round.

Bohuslän with its barren rocks and

ing, cooking, eating and just relaxing. And as the night falls, stories of who caught the biggest catch will travel around the table.

sculpted islands is magnificent in late summer and early autumn.”

A trip where the food is the purpose cannot be anything but pleasurable. Choose to stay in one of the handpicked cosy little seaside inns or a more luxurious hotel, whatever takes your fancy. Then strap on your sea legs together with the local fishermen and embark on the seafood odyssey of your choice. Learn hands-on how to haul lobsters and crayfish. Upon returning to shore, take part in preparing the catch of the day, before sinking your teeth into the delicacies, accompanied by a well-deserved drink.

Participants of the Shellfish Journey are sure to enjoy the best of what nature has to offer in a picture-perfect setting. Fish-

Photos, left & right: Lisa Nestorson

In its fourth year, the Shellfish Journey kicks off at the premiere of the lobster season on 24 September and runs until 4 November. During this time, various packages are on offer, combining shellfish expeditions with gourmet dining and relaxing hotel visits. Bohuslän is famous for its lobsters, prawns, oysters, mussels and crayfish; and the autumn is their season. The food really does not get any fresher or more locally produced than this.

By Ulrika Osterlund Photos: Jonas Ingman

For more information, please visit: www.westsweden.com/shellfishjourney

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | An autumn to remember

Little Vara gives you Sweden’s largest concert hall In the small town of Vara lies Sweden’s largest concert hall. Perhaps it doesn’t look it from the outside, but no other concert hall in the country offers such a broad and diverse set of concerts, activities and shows. Marketing manager Ulf Berglund explains how Vara Concert Hall has something to offer any taste and preference, from classical music and theatre to modern jazz and pop.

Working closely together with local businesses and organisations, Vara Concert Hall plays an important role in promoting the area and the whole region. Ulf Berglund has been marketing manager for Vara Concert Hall for a little over two years. Previously he had a career in brand identity and marketing. A musician and artist himself, working for Vara Concert Hall was like coming home. “With this role, I feel I can combine the two worlds, business and culture.”

Something for everyone Ten years ago, Vara together with the surrounding region took the initiative to plan for a culture centre in Vara. At the same time, the local school of arts needed a new assembly hall. The Vara Concert Hall fulfilled both needs. Today, the concert

54 | Issue 44 | September 2012

hall welcomes visitors from the whole region, offering something for everyone. “We have events and performances in four genres: classical music, jazz, theatre and dance,” Berglund explains. “We are proud to say that we attract first-class artists to our stage in all genres. We also have our own world-class ensemble ‘Bohuslän Big Band’ with the famous jazz trombone player Nils Landgren as artistic leader.”

Vara Concert Hall also offers something they call “open stage”. This includes everything that falls outside of the four genres. “For example our ‘Club out’

By Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt Photos: Vara Concert Hall

events, aimed at a younger target group, focus on pop and rock,” Berglund says.

“The younger generation is a priority for us. In addition to reduced prices for everyone under 26, we invite all school pupils to see two concerts per term for free.”

Tailored conferences spiced up with culture In addition to the cultural events, Vara Concert Hall organises conferences.

Equipped with facilities for both large and small groups, fine dining at Restaurant Legato and an exclusive opportunity to combine business and culture, it is a popular place for companies of all sizes. “We can tailor conferences to the clients’ needs and preferences. And the guests get a unique cultural experience during their stay,” Berglund says.

FACTS Visitors: 70,000 per year Performances: 140 per year

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | An autumn to remember

opportunity to experience a competition and a real choir concert,” says Román.

“It’s great to get to bring the festival into the public realm, and we’re hoping that this will switch something on for these kids who might never have come into contact with choir music before.”

Other highlights include a collaboration between the royal court singer Malena Ernman and the festival artist in residence Gustaf Sjökvist’s chamber choir, as well as a ground-breaking show with vocal ensemble Amanda, promising a captivating mix of theatre, poetry, dance and choral arrangements. “This is something quite different from the traditional choir with robes and serious expressions. No one has ever left an Amanda performance unaffected.”

Amanda vocal ensemble. Photo: Dolf Rabus

Celebrating choirs: from chamber to avant-garde If you have ever heard of the phenomenon known as ‘the Swedish choral miracle’ or met some of the over half a million Swedes who sing in choirs, you may already have gathered that there is something truly unique about the Swedish choral tradition. If on top of that you have ever been to Lund, one of the country’s most choir dense cities, you have probably even experienced a choir concert or two. It certainly will not come as a surprise that Lund Choral Festival is the biggest of its kind in Sweden, attracting visitors from way beyond its national borders.

With plenty of lunch and after work performances completely free of charge in addition to the bigger, ticketed events, Lund Choral Festival promises to get this picturesque, historical city swinging – from the Cathedral and the library to the schools and the concert halls. If you have yet to figure out what the Swedish choral miracle is, this is your chance.

For more information, please visit: www.lundchoralfestival.org

By Linnea Dunne

“This is one of the really big choir events, but it’s also very different in that it’s concert-focused as opposed to workshop-focused. This festival belongs to the audience,” says producer Gerd Román. “Of course, the audience is also made up of choir members. But this is really about listening to each other, something we could benefit from doing more of.”

With its last incarnation attracting 12,000 visitors, this year is gearing up to offer a very special programme packed full of premiere performances, workshops, a jazz brunch, a big celebration of musicals and events specially designed for kids.

“A completely new thing this year is an exclusive concert for all the fifth class children in the town, which gives them an

SjungGung concert with school children.

Photo: Jakob Rempe

Amanda vocal ensemble.

Photo: Johan Wingborg

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 55

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | An autumn to remember

The jewel in King Charles XI’s crown Spread out over 33 islands in the Swedish province Blekinge’s archipelago, Karlskrona offers a perfect mix of historical city life and peaceful seaside beauty. The city, which was founded in 1680 by King Charles XI, is one of the most well-preserved naval cities in Europe and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

By Sara Schedin | Photos: Lena Johansson

“We’re very proud of Karlskrona’s place on UNESCO’s list, but what really makes the city stand out are its stunning surroundings and the architectonic experience it has to offer,” says World Heritage Coordinator Lena Johansson.

King Charles XI’s architects are likely to have been inspired by the naval bases Chatham in England and Rochefort on the French west coast, as well as by the arsenal in Venice, when building Karlskrona.

More than 300 years later the city is still beautifully intact and is Sweden’s only baroque city.

One of the city’s many attractions is Trefaldighetskyrkan (The Church of the Holy Trinity), locally known as the German Church, which was built to serve the many Germans who lived in Karlskrona. It still

56 | Issue 44 | September 2012

functions as a church but is now also a World Heritage Site visitor centre.

“In the last year we’ve done a lot to make our visitor centre a fun experience for all ages, and I believe we’ve succeeded; I’ve never seen children cry because they have to leave a church before, but I have now!” says Lena and laughs.

At the centre, the children get to learn about Karlskrona’s fascinating history by participating in different activities and

meeting characters such as Da King (a comic version of King Charles XI) and the Church Rat. Another interesting place to visit in the city is the Naval Dockyard and harbour. The Navy Yard, which is one of the few dockyards where it is still possible to see buildings and docks specifically designed for the construction of sailing warships, is still used by the military and is therefore only opened for guided tours. The same goes for Kungsholms Fort which still belongs to the Swedish Navy. The fort was built to protect the southern point of entrance in the archipelago. The Drottningskär Citadel, which is situated opposite Kungsholms Fort on the other side of Aspö Channel, is also one of Karlskrona’s must-sees. The citadel is considered to be one of the most fascinating fortifications in Sweden.

For more information about Karlskrona and how to get there, please visit: www.visitkarlskrona.se www.orlogsstadenkarlskrona.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | An autumn to remember

Money, money, money In the heart of Stockholm, right next door to the Royal Palace, the Kungliga Myntkabinettet (the Royal Coin Cabinet) is located in a historical and fiscal spot. Dating back to 1572, it is one of the oldest museums in Sweden and showcases the emergence of monetary systems since the dawn of trade, in a novel and exciting way.

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Gabriel Hildebrand/Kungliga Myntkabinettet

Museum director Ian Wiséhn says: ”Visitors are usually very pleasantly surprised at just how much fun money can be. Our exhibitions have enormous appeal to everyone, both young and old.”

Only at Kungliga Myntkabinettet, also known as the National Museum of Economy, can you behold the biggest coin ever

to have existed, the Yap Stone from Micronesia, weighing in at 600 kilos; and see the first banknote ever printed, right here in the Old Town in 1661; or get up close and personal with the Nobel Prize medals.

For the history buffs there is more than enough to keep you satisfied; you may well find yourself dreaming about economic and financial chronicles. Here you can also

learn about the world’s oldest central bank, the Riksbank of Sweden.

The collection’s 600,000 objects invite the visitor on a journey through the history of money in the world and in Sweden, the different forms currency has taken throughout the ages, and how economies have been shaped. The museum’s permanent exhibitions display coins and notes from all over the world, wallets, piggy banks and shares, as well as coin treasures from as far back as the Iron Age. Topical themes permeate the temporary exhibits, from the new Swedish banknotes to the gold medals of the Stockholm Summer Olympics 1912 and the emergence of a world economy.

Spanning over three floors, the museum houses exhibit halls, a treasure chamber, an interactive playroom and a restaurant.

Conferences, seminars and other events can also be organised here. The courtyard is perfect for al fresco festivities, with the stunning views of Slottsbacken and Skeppsbron as a backdrop.

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

Photo: Vince Reichardt/ Kungliga Myntkabinettet

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 57

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ES

& IA EC TIES P S AR

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Norway – for natural reasons Norway is known for its great natural beauty – but what many people don’t know is that this setting full of natural beauty is one of the best places to host festivities like weddings, conferences and other events.

By Live Skinnes, bryllupsbygda.com | Photos: Torbjørn Tanberg

There are many extremely beautiful places in the world. But few can compete with Norway when it comes to pristine nature. When you combine this with the possibilities of hosting spectacular parties or events, like weddings and conferences, you will get a really powerful combination.

mountain region Norefjell, eleven special places have formed a collaboration aiming to offer you everything from fairy-tale castles to old cobalt mines, ski jumps, majestic old farmhouses, small “mountain log house farms”, and bigger hotels and resorts, either by the lakeside or by the mountain plateau.

A place that has taken this seriously is the Norefjell region with its concept “The Wedding Village” (Bryllupsbygda). In the

Whether you have big plans or a small event in mind, there will most likely be something that will tempt your senses at

58 | Issue 44 | September 2012

www.bryllupsbygda.com. Quite a few people nowadays want to make a wedding or a conference more of an event than just a one-day thing. In the old Norwegian fairy tales it is said “three days to the end”, and transferring that to modern life gives you the chance to bring the whole wedding party in for a long weekend of quality time and activities.

Local food is grown in the mountain villages, and both local and international entertainment possibilities are available.

“Pretty much everything is possible here,” says one of the hotel owners. “I have flown in opera singers from Italy and had a beautiful ceremony on the beaches here.

Some people spend a lot of money – some don’t – and here you will find possibilities for both.”

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

Kronen Gaard Hotel – Making you feel like home The hotel champions the difficult task of being a personalised place while remaining centrally located. Thus, Kronen Gaard Hotel is the place for those who desire a stay out of the ordinary.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Tom Haga

The hotel has an exciting history dating back to the 1800s. While the changes have been many since then, the romantic hotel has kept its original charm and personal atmosphere. “Our guests say it feels like coming home,” managing director Bodil Skjørestad says.

Feels like coming home Closely located to the oil centre of Stavanger, Kronen Gaard Hotel offers a welcome break from the traditional city hotels.

It has thus become a popular alternative for conferences and meetings for companies from Norway and abroad. “We offer a different experience, with a personal touch, while being located close to the action in Stavanger and Sandnes,” Skjørestad says.

Guests return year after year, mainly due to the fantastic kitchen, and location that

provides both the amenities of a central setting and the feeling of being away from it all. “People appreciate the social experience of being here as they stay for meetings, activities and dinner,” Skjørestad adds.

have said that we have the county’s largest fitness centre just on our doorstep.”

Romantic weddings Kronen Gaard Hotel is also the perfect venue for a romantic wedding. With a variety of options, including a garden wedding, a less formal tapas wedding and the traditional option, they host around 62 weddings a year. “It is a romantic place for the special day, both in winter and summer,” Skjørestad says.

The county’s biggest fitness centre on the doorstep The hotel has a variety of activities on offer for their guests, including a kitchen theatre where the guests are given the responsibility of running the kitchen.

Other activities include cycling in the scenic nature and canoeing on the nearby Ims-Lutsi watercourse. “The hotel is surrounded by majestic mountains and numerous hiking routes. We have therefore acquired equipment like bicycles and canoes for our guests to get the best experience of the area,” Skjørestad says. “I

For more information, please visit: www.kronen-gaard.no

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 59

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

A mountain wedding coming true at Tempelsetra 924 metres above sea level, you can experience the wedding or conference of your life at Tempelsetra. Feel at one with the mountain range Norefjell, while indulging in a personalised menu created to please even the most critical foodie.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Tempelsetra

On the sunny side of Norefjell, the mountain range spreading across eastern Norway, you will find Tempelsetra. Opened in 2009, the wedding and conference venue continues to attract people with its magnificent location, homemade food and personalised service. “Our aim is to make everyone who has yet to be here feel like they are missing out,” managing director Tone Besserud says with a smile.

A mountain dream Located only two hours from Oslo, Tempelsetra is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and get-togethers of all sizes. The spectacular building, consisting mainly of glass, provides guests with a view of the picturesque landscape wherever they are and a feeling of being a part of the mountain. “It is a mountain dream, and we note that many of our guests have cabins around the area but host venues here when they want to show off the area to friends, family and business associates,” says Besserud. “We do not offer accommodation, but we arrange for transport to and accommodation at hotels nearby.”

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Personalised menus While the location is crucial, guests cannot get enough of their homemade cooking either. Besserud particularly remembers one elegant lady wiping the saucepan with her fingers, after pouring the leftovers into her dessert glass. “I suppose she enjoyed the food,” Besserud says.

“People are always very happy with the food, and we do everything to please our guests. We even cook according to their own recipes.”

Popular concerts Tempelsetra also hosts concerts, which have proved popular among locals and guests alike. Previous concerts have been sold out long before, and the expectations ahead of the STAUT concert in October are high. “Get your ticket now, for as one of the artists said last year, it is completely awesome,” Besserud says.

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

Distance yourself from the city On a small hill in the Norefjell mountain range, hidden away amongst the trees, sits Noreheim – a small mountain hotel with a traditional romantic look and feel to it. Less than a 90-minute drive from the Norwegian capital of Oslo, this peaceful hotel provides an excellent opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.

wind in the snow, with cross-country skiing trails passing right by the cabins, and downhill slopes at the nearby Norefjell Skiing Centre.

By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Noreheim

Noreheim is a popular place for both companies and private guests, hosting conferences in the week and large events such as birthday parties and weddings on the weekends. “One thing that is pretty unique about our offer is that the people or companies who book with us can have the hotel closed off so that their party can have the entire property all to themselves,” says Jacobsen. The hotel can seat 60 for dinner, house 40 people for conferences and accommodate 30 guests overnight.

Norefjell is one of Norway’s many beautiful mountain ranges, providing excellent skiing opportunities in wintertime and a range of challenging and invigorating mountain hikes in the summer. Focusing less on infrastructure appealing to younger generations and more on the serenity of Norwegian nature, Norefjell is an area where people can come to unwind.

“This is a place where people come to distance themselves from the city, with its trains, trams and traffic, and feel the peace and quiet of the nature around them. Our focus is to offer that to our

guests,” says Marius Jacobsen, general manager at Noreheim. The hotel consists of a main mountain lodge, surrounded by smaller cabins functioning as hotel rooms. The wooden buildings are built in a romantic 1870s style and form a traditional pasture that blends in with the surrounding forest.

“We have received a lot of great feedback from people who enjoy themselves by turning off their mobile phones, going hiking and by just simply relaxing, which is exactly what we want for our guests,” says Jacobsen. In wintertime guests can un-

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

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 61

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

Seminar

Lunch

Concert

Event

Kanonhallen – Making the day truly yours Fancy hosting a party like no one has ever seen before? Where you decide everything from caterer to lights and curtain colours, in one of the most historically profound venues in Oslo? If yes, Kanonhallen is the perfect place for you.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Bildegalleri Kanonhallen

Kanonhallen is a hidden gem among party and conference venues in Oslo. This is the place for those who desire something unconventional, with a rich history to set the scene and the opportunity to make the event just the way you want it. Merely after a quick glance, it is easy to understand why brides-to-be, film directors and large international companies like Statoil have taken a fancy to the place. “Flexibility and customised solutions are at the heart of Kanonhallen. It is a place for ab-

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solutely everyone and can be customised to fit every style and purpose,” managing director Stine Mari Røverdatter says.

Just the way you want it Kanonhallen comprises two rooms and hosts both small and large gatherings, varying from 50 to 300 seated guests and up to 750 standing. What is striking about this place is its flexibility. While most venues tend to offer only the whole package, including catering for food and drinks in

addition to equipment and decoration, Kanonhallen gives their guests the luxury of choosing themselves. “It is important to us to give people what they want, and we do that best by giving them the freedom to choose themselves. Thus, the venue can be transformed completely in line with what the guests fancy, as well as fitting the purse,” Røverdatter says. “We do, however, offer catering and can arrange for the whole package too if people prefer it.”

The flexibility is a great advantage, particularly in a society where it is becoming increasingly important to show who you are.

At Kanonhallen, they offer customised solutions for any party or gathering, and it is therefore a sought-after venue for weddings and conferences as well as fashion shows, photo shoots and company parties. “The venue is completely different every time and allows people to do it according to their own style,” Røverdatter

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

says and admits that this aspect makes the work particularly exciting. “The venue is used by everyone for everything, which makes it good fun for us who work here too.”

Built by Soviet war prisoners While the building in itself is astonishing, the history behind it is no less distinct.

The name Kanonhallen translates into the Cannon Hall, giving away hints as to what its original purpose was. During the Second World War, the German occupying forces had it built for manufacturing and maintenance of heavy weaponry. Behind the work was Soviet prisoners of war, who under tough conditions built what is today a listed building and has since 2004 been a venue for positive events. “I personally find it wonderful that a place which has caused so much negativity and sadness is now used for something positive. It gives the place a special frame,” Røverdatter says.

A hidden treasure on the outskirts of Oslo A special frame is exactly why so many guests have taken a liking to the place.

Combined with the interesting history, the place is located on the outskirts of central Oslo and has for long remained a somewhat hidden treasure. “We observe that many are tired of the generic venues, where everything is white and you are hardly allowed to spill a glass of red. People who come here desire something different, which not many have experienced before. It is thus the typical place for people who think untraditionally and wish to show off something they have found to friends and colleagues,” Røverdatter explains. “As it is an old venue, people tend to let their shoulders relax. We do not mind if the red wine ends up on the floor or the dance is taken away from the dance floor, and the guests appreciate that.”

The list of different parties and gatherings is thus long, including brewery competitions and film recordings in addition to the more conventional weddings and conferences. “It is a relatively new venue, although with a long history. This, in combination with the location and exciting

Entrance

Backstage

Eva Grinan concert 2010

Frida Ånnevik concert 2011

architecture, makes it a place for people who think out of the box and fancy something new,” Røverdatter notes.

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

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 63

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

Only imagination sets the limits for your celebration at Sole Hotell & Herregaard BEST WESTERN Sole Hotell & Herregaard goes the extra mile to provide its guests with the perfect celebration or conference. This sets the scene for a perfect venue by the foot of Norefjell.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: BEST WESTERN Sole Hotell & Herregaard

By the foot of Norefjell, the mountain range that spreads across eastern Norway, you will find BEST WESTERN Sole Hotell & Herregaard. Located by the picturesque Krøderfjorden and only a stone’s throw away from popular skiing opportunities, the hotel is a desired choice regardless of season and a popular venue for weddings and conferences as well as family holidays. “Only imagination sets limits to what we can offer our guests,” managing director Odd Alsvik says.

Live like a nobleman The building itself dates back over a 100 years, and the old charm is apparent everywhere, even after the extensive restoration after the new owners took over in 2004. Having originally been a family mansion, the hotel has retained its elegant image, and guests can easily feel

64 | Issue 44 | September 2012

like noblemen when entering the stunning lounge. Moreover, located next to the fjord, the guests can enjoy a private beach during the summer, while ski slopes run just outside during the winter. “It is the perfect location in winter and summer, and people truly enjoy the charming atmosphere as well as the closeness to all types of activities,” Alsvik says.

Something to celebrate?

Located only an hour and a half from Oslo, the hotel is a popular venue for celebrations of all kinds, and with 66 rooms, they can accommodate up to 120 people for an overnight stay. “Most people have either been here as a guest at a previous event or have been recommended by friends. Even the smallest details matter to us, which is evident in the carrying out of any event at the hotel,” Alsvik says.

The hotel hosts weddings of any size, from two to 120 guests. They have a long tradition of planning and hosting weddings and are happy to help throughout the whole process to make the day perfect, whether it is to inform about choices for churches and ceremonies or about choosing the right means of transportation. If you are a horse person, you may be tempted by the horse carriage, while others prefer the classic limousine.

A renowned conference hotel The hotel is widely known for its excellent conference facilities and can accommo-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

date up to 180 people. “We pride ourselves with providing a productive atmosphere and all the amenities you would need for a successful conference or meeting,” Alsvik says and emphasises that they are happy to customise solutions for individual conferences.

While the actual facilities, including equipment and the opportunity to spend the night, are crucial, it is certainly worth mentioning the many outstanding activities on offer. The list is long, and the hotel has its own SPA for those who desire a relaxing break, while the more sporty activities include horseback

riding, fishing and obviously skiing on the popular slopes of Norefjell.

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

Villa Fridheim – The fairy tale museum Return to your childhood dreams at Villa Fridheim and be mesmerised by the castle-like building that houses a unique presentation of traditional Norwegian fairy tales. This sets the scene for a wedding out of the ordinary, likewise a work meeting that will bring out the creativity in even the quietest employee.

A one-of-a-kind venue While the house is an attraction in itself, it also hosts events, exhibitions and concerts. Additionally, it offers a popular venue for those who wish to celebrate

their big day in a different environment, or host work related meetings in a place where creativity is let loose.

Enjoy some of the many activities at Villa Fridheim, whether it is a ghost evening, folkmusic evening, or more traditional choices such as canoeing or watching outdoor theatre.

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

Photo: Villa Fridheim

Villa Fridheim is located close by Sole Hotell & Herregaard and offers visitors a fairy tale museum few have seen before.

While adults return to their youth, children

will be entertained by the presentation of the folktale collectors Asbjørnsen and Moe’s best-known and loved stories from around the country. Every room tells a new story, and you never know when a cheeky troll will show up behind your back.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 65

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

Sweden – make your dream come true From idyllic archipelago settings to fairy tale castles, Sweden offers a wide selection of beautiful locations for weddings, celebrations, and even business meetings – when you are looking for that something extra. Expert wedding consultants will make your planning a cakewalk, while innovative Swedish designers can create your dream wedding ring.

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Conny Fridh/imagebank.sweden.se

traordinaire. Mariella, with her WeddingPlanner Stockholm company, is today known among the top wedding consultants in Sweden.

Add some historic charm to any special occasion with Restaurant ETT in Gothenburg, which dates back to 1883. Its grand banquet hall, representing new renaissance, will create an unforgettable setting for weddings and other events. At the stunning 17th-century Bjärka-Säby castle, located in Östergötland, with help of the “wedding granny”, you can also celebrate in style. Even hunting can be on the menu if your stay calls for it.

To top it off, designer Elin Ryd, based in Gothenburg, can create your engagement or wedding ring – and it will definitely not be run-of-the-mill. Ryd is known for her use of both traditional and unusual materials as well as crafting exciting and unexpected shapes.

If organisation isn’t your forte, you can leave it all to Mariella Gink, former ballet dancer and current wedding planner ex-

Please read on to find out more about what Sweden has to offer the newly engaged.

Boutique castle to fall in love with

But it is not all about big family occasions and love. Unless your love revolves around hunting, of course, in which case you can visit Bjärka-Säby for a weekend packed full of great food, hunting, and an environment perfect for cooing over your prey together with fellow hunting enthusiasts.

With this, like with most other events at the castle, it comes as a package deal: “You book the whole shebang – the accommodation, the food, the dog handlers – and off you go and hunt for moose, deer and wild boar.”

Whether you want an outdoor wedding down by the lake or an atmospheric winter reception with an open fire, BjärkaSäby is there for you to feel at home. “You can really put your mark on it with personal letters, name tags or sweets for your guests. It’s yours while you’re here,” says the wedding granny.

It was love that first brought her to Sweden, with her partner deciding to return to his native country to look after the family farm, and you could say that it is love that keeps her there: coming up to her 12th year in business, Ekman helps arrange around 20 weddings every year, and says: “It’s such an amazing experience – I fall in love every Saturday!”

The old castle in Sweden’s Östergötland, which was recently restored to enhance its beauty, makes the perfect setting for a romantic wedding or a big birthday party. It is so perfect, in fact, that guests who come once tend to return.

“I’ve got a lot of regulars at this stage,” says Ekman. “One family has been here five times for weddings, birthday celebrations and graduation receptions.”

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Kristina Ekman on the left.

Describing herself as a wedding granny, Kristina Ekman is the one-woman machine who helps you make the stunning 17thcentury Bjärka-Säby castle yours for a day.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Bjärka-Säby

For more information, please visit: www.bjarka-saby.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

A modern venue with historical influences Whether you are looking to celebrate a party or wedding, or organise a conference, Restaurant ETT in Gothenburg is sure to cater to any and all needs and desires.

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Restaurant ETT

Housed in a historical building dating back to 1883, the restaurant is located in the prime spot of Kungsportsavenyn 1, the focal point of the city. Even though the locale was fully refurbished in 2006, touches from the past are still evident.

The banqueting rooms include the grand banquet hall, designed in a new renaissance style, able to cater to bigger tailormade events where anything is possible.

The creative team are at hand to ensure you get exactly what you want, be it a formal business seminar, a wedding party or other shindig.

For more reserved dos, smaller conference rooms are available, all with very modern equipment. Various exciting activities are on offer: why not enjoy a wine

and cheese tasting or try a laughter seminar? All events are catered to by the restaurant with specialised menus and buffets. ”We serve Swedish cuisine with influences from Europe,” explains Magnus Olausson, site manager. “Good, honest food at a reasonable price is what we are about.”

Meat and grilled dishes feature foremost on the menu, as well as seafood and the

ubiquitous shrimp sandwich. The common denominator is seasonal high-quality produce served with beverages from all over the world. ETT’s bistro-style atmosphere is relaxed with cool tunes playing in the background. The speciality chef’s table, seated right next to the kitchen, serves the chef’s favourites of the day.

The bar is a popular watering hole, offering tempting cocktails and a huge selection of wine by the glass. Enjoy a drink with a side of cheese or cold cuts, inside or out on the veranda.

For another great night out, check out Restaurant Trädgår’n at Trädgårdsföreningen, where great food, busy ambience, live shows and a nightclub will keep you entertained well into the night.

For more information, please visit: www.profilrestauranger.se/ett www.profilrestauranger.se/tradgarn

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 67

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

WeddingPlanner Stockholm: Preparing for your best show ever The role of the wedding consultant encompasses that of a facilitator, mediator, money manager, artisan and an architect of dreams. Mariella Gink, who set up WeddingPlanner Stockholm in 2003, knows exactly what it takes.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: kickifotograf.se

Mariella's background is far from the ordinary; she spent 20 years as a ballet dancer with the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm. When she met her husband, it led to a move to New York where she spent several years working as a freelance dancer, which she combined with others jobs, one of them working for a Swedish-American consulting company that arranged exclusive business events.

“When we eventually moved back to Sweden, I began thinking about what to do next as ballet dancers retire early. One morning I simply woke up and thought: What if I combine all the skills I have learned and experiences I have gained so far? Right, I’m going to become a wedding planner!”

This venture quickly grew and has resulted in her becoming one of the top wedding planners in Sweden today.

68 | Issue 44 | September 2012

“Your wedding day is very much like taking to the stage to deliver your best show ever,” Mariella explains. “My artistic eye and creativity are naturally a great help when attending to all those small details.

My experiences combined have helped me hugely, not least living and working abroad, which has taught me to be tough when required. But also the perfectionism, ambitiousness and persistence that ballet demands has helped tremendously.

In many ways you need to be a great negotiator and must be able to get the best service at the best price.”

The usual planning procedure starts around 12 to 14 months before the wed-

ding day, but Mariella is also an expert in planning speedy weddings and has taken on clients just weeks before the big day.

Many of her clients have been multinational couples living in the UK or US, returning to Sweden for their weddings.

Over the years, she has faced some great challenges, one of them being a Hong Kong couple who dreamt of a wedding on the island of Gotland. The legal administrative paperwork required by the Swedish authorities turned out to be very complex, and the couple soon found themselves in a bureaucratic catch-22. In the end, Mariella managed to help the couple to lawfully gain permission to be married in Sweden only days before the wedding day.

Mariella remarks: “The classes I took in law many years ago proved to be very handy at this point! It was truly a magical day for this couple and a real fairy tale story that made the front covers of both Gotland’s local newspaper and the South China Morning Post.”

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

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Weddings, Parties and Conferences

Elindesign Jewellery - Elegant, exclusive and experimental the opposite. Nothing is impossible when creating your dream ring,” Elin Ryd says.

Elindesign Jewellery is a small company run by the creative and innovative designer Elin Ryd. If you have an unusual idea in mind for an engagement or wedding ring, this unique designer loves the challenge of crafting truly exciting and unexpected shapes, using both traditional and more unusual materials.

Whether it is platinum, palladium or gold, you can rest assured that the end result will be an elegant, exclusive and experimental piece of jewellery. stone's throw from the Avenue in central Gothenburg.

“Finally someone who thinks in a new way!” That is a common reaction Elin Ryd receives from her customers around Scandinavia. She is a breath of fresh air in the world of contemporary jewellery design in Sweden. Elin was trained at the Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Italy. She set up shop in 2003 and has since then grown her business successfully. In 2011, she opened her first boutique and showroom in Gothenburg, a

“Ninety per cent of what I do is engagement and wedding rings, but naturally I also design other pieces, such as rings, necklaces and jewellery for men. What sets me apart from other makers is that I dare to be brave and experiment with new shapes and materials. I feel that there is a big demand for what I do. The thing with us Swedish jewellery designers is that we tend to go down the safe route; I’ve chosen to do

Elin recently showed her latest collection at the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair; this autumn it will be launched at various retailers around Scandinavia.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Elindesign

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

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Scan Magazine | Hotels of the Month | Finland

Hotel Scandic Julia

Hotels of the Month, Finland

Spend the night on Finland’s coastline in style The city of Turku, located on the south-western coast of Finland and surrounded by an archipelago, is known to many as a historical and culturally rich destination, a perfect place to spend your unhurried summer days or an authentic winter break in the Christmas City of Finland. In the centre of the city, you can choose between two distinctive Scandic Hotels for your accommodation.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Scandic Hotels

Hotel Scandic Julia, a modern hotel with state-of-the-art facilities, and Hotel Scandic Plaza Turku, an architectonic gem with a great atmosphere, are both situated close to the Turku market square, in different directions. With their central loca-

70 | Issue 44 | September 2012

tion, the hotels are easy to reach by public transport and also offer great parking opportunities for guests’ cars.

You are also never far away from the city’s popular sights and cultural attractions,

including the river Aura, which flows through the city, Turku Castle and Cathedral, and Logomo, a centre for cultural, creative and business events that served as the main venue for Turku’s Capital of Culture 2011 happenings. Only 16 kilometres from Turku, you will also find Moomin World, a popular family attraction in Naantali.

As a seaside city with its river and archipelago, Turku is known as an ideal place to spend the summer exploring the maritime nature, but due to its stint as Capi-

Scan Magazine | Hotels of the Month | Finland

tal of Culture and general heightened cultural activity, there is still plenty to do and see at all times of the year. Turku is also known as the Christmas City of Finland, with plenty of events and shopping opportunities available during the festive season.

“In the summer, Turku is a leisure destination that attracts a lot of tourists, but unfortunately the warm months don’t last that long over here. However, the cultural happenings continue throughout autumn and winter,” says general manager Mikko Henriksson.

Something old, something new The building that today houses Hotel Scandic Plaza Turku has functioned as a hotel since the 1920s when it was created by architect Erik Bryggman, who is known for his functionalist designs. In 2000, after going through a thorough renovation, it opened as a Scandic Hotel.

“Today, it works as an integrated whole, representing Bryggman’s functionalism as an architectonic pearl, reinvigorated by the refurbishing,” explains Henriksson.

With 118 atmospheric rooms, a 24-hour

gym, sauna and conference rooms for up to 60 participants, Hotel Scandic Plaza Turku covers all your needs. The hotel’s relaxed restaurant offers guests a healthy breakfast and Nordic-style cuisine in Scandinavian décor.

For everyone from conference guests to families Hotel Scandic Julia opened its doors as recently as June 2011, after a total renovation of the building, which took 1.5 years to complete. The expanded hotel is now one of the most modem in Turku and offers up-to-date facilities in all areas. From a heated car park to air-conditioning and six fully-equipped conference rooms, the hotel is suitable for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel is also great for families as the large rooms afford more room for extra beds, and, naturally, the family superior rooms are especially designed to fit the needs of families.

On top of a bar area opposite the reception desk, Hotel Scandic Julia includes Bistro Julienne, a cosy restaurant that serves both a French-style dinner as well as Scandic classics. The 24/7 gym and the sauna are also at the guests’ disposal.

Both hotels, due to their excellent location and amenities, are suitable for all types of travellers, from conference guests to families, but each venue offers its own quirks and added extras, while the essential Scandic services are always included.

Choose between functionalist design and modern efficiency for your next trip to Turku to get the best out of the city.

Hotel Scandic Julia Eerikinkatu 4 20100 Turku Finland Phone: +358 2 336 000 julia@scandichotels.com

Hotel Scandic Plaza Turku Yliopistonkatu 29 20100 Turku Finland Phone: +358 2 33 200 plaza.turku@scandichotels.com

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

Hotel Scandic Plaza Turku

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 71

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

“Even the islanders are impressed” On the small Danish island of Samsø even time takes a break or so, at least, it feels when surrounded by ocean, serene landscapes and idyllic towns. A couple of days at the laidback hotel Ilse made will immerse you not just in the diverse nature and chilled charm of the island but also its well-known local produce.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Ilse Made

The hotel, which boasts just 12 individually decorated rooms, is run by Dorthe Nissen and Brian Grosen, who welcome guests from all over the world seeking a taste of island living. “People come to visit us for the beautiful views, the sunsets and most importantly the peace and quiet,” explains Nissen. “We just had a couple of guests who, when leaving, told me what a great time they had; they had just been sitting on the terrace, reading books and enjoying the view, but that was just what they needed.”

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views of green fields and blue sea - the very epitome of Danish summer. This year the hotel will also be open for two weekends in December providing enchanting settings for a romantic Christmas getaway.

Pleasing the discerning neighbours

Located on the west coast of Samsø, just 250 metres from the sea, most rooms as well as the restaurant offer enchanting

Samsø is widely known for its delicious spring potatoes, but the island has much more to offer when it comes to fresh produce and culinary treats. The agricultural industry of the island is going through a riveting development, and all the fruit and vegetables which guests will see when cycling, walking or driving around the island they will also find at the dinner table of Ilse made’s restaurant in the evening.

The restaurant serves one set menu every evening and the focus on good produce

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

and carefully prepared food instead of a more extensive menu has proved successful. “A lot of guests visit us because they heard about our food,” explains Nissen.

The combination of local produce and a down-to-earth atmosphere has also managed to attract and please the local islanders, something which, according to Grosen, is not an easy task. “Islanders are notoriously hard to please. It takes quite a lot to attract their attention, so we consider it a huge compliment that we managed to do that. Samsø is a small island and it is important to reach the local community. A lot of local people come here for dinner, and among overnight guests we have many who have had us recommended by friends with houses or holiday homes on the island,” he says.

A warm island welcome Samsø’s popularity as a holiday destination is not a new phenomenon. For decades the island’s unique landscape

and charming old towns have made it one of Denmark’s favourite holiday destinations. “There are so many things about Samsø which attract people; it is just a wonderful island. There is a saying that on Samsø you have all of Denmark represented in one place; if you drive from one end of the island to the other, you will find Funen’s forests, Zealand’s green fields and Jutland’s moor and hills,” explains Nissen.

Many Danes have or rent holiday houses on the island, but at Ilse made there is a little extra included, ensuring a completely stress-free stay. “Our guests typically enjoy being spoilt a bit instead of having to do everything themselves,” explains Nissen.

This, however, does not mean that guests will not feel at home – on the contrary: everything is done to keep the atmosphere homely and relaxed, from the individually decorated rooms to the informal dining atmosphere and the always present hosts.

“I live at the hotel and Brian lives just next door. We worked together for many years

and fit well together. I am a morning person so I take care of the breakfast, and Brian is an evening person so he is the one who will be there for dinner,” explains Nissen. “We try to create an intimate atmosphere in the sense that people should always feel that our door is open, and we serve the kind of food we would like to serve to our own guests – basically we just try to make every day special.”

Facts: • Samsø is 114,26 km² and has about 4,000 inhabitants • Ilse made is open from Easter to November and on two weekends in December (7th-9th and 14th-16th).

• The hotel welcomes international guests and has had visitors from England, Scotland, USA, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Norway, among others.

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

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 73

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

Hotel of the Month, Sweden

Clever accommodation at clever prices Based on the idea that good quality does not need to be wasteful, Welcome Hotel is the affordable holiday and conferencing option that lets you enjoy the Stockholm region while leaving the car in the suburb and saving your money for shopping. Family-owned, approved by eco-label Svanen and a member of conference booking group Svenska Möten, this is a little bit of everything you need – right in between Stockholm city and Arlanda.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Welcome Hotel

Having worked with hospitality for Scandic Hotels and SAS and been lucky enough to get to study at Cornel University, the most renowned educational institution in the industry, Claes Roos had an idea: “I wanted to start up a nice, modern and enjoyable hotel – but simple and affordable.”

After pitching the idea to his wife and finding the perfect piece of land in Järfälla north of Stockholm, only one challenge remained: securing funding.

74 | Issue 44 | September 2012

The concept almost pitched itself. Where other hotels insisted on having both a café and a traditional restaurant with white linen tablecloths, Roos opted for an all-inone bistro; where others planned 70 rooms, Roos found a way to fit 100; and with every single room created as a prefab fitted with furniture and the whole lot, the quote for the entire build ended up at less than a quarter of what a similarly-sized hotel a stone's throw away had cost. Roos

found himself in the lucky position of being able to choose between interested investors, and finally, in 1985, Roos and his wife and business partner Catharina opened up the doors to Welcome Hotel, welcoming not only hotel guests but also students as part of a special training programme.

Unbelievable prices in an unbelievable location Today, the privately run hotel is one of the most popular in the area, known for surprisingly low prices and a great location for shopping trips to both the nearby Barkarby Outlet and Stockholm city. The region is booming, and with free parking and excellent transport links to the capital as well as Arlanda airport, tourists and families on a weekend away are only some

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Sweden

of the customers who find that Welcome Hotel is just what they need.

“Our new big thing is the Family Connection Room concept, which came about as our new COO wanted to find some good use for all the single rooms in the summer season and ended up knocking through a door between two of them,” says Roos. “It's immensely popular and incredibly cheap considering you get all that space along with two bathrooms and showers.” COO Lena Sander started at Welcome Hotel as a trainee 16 years ago and worked her way up, and with July this year going down as the busiest month in the history of the business, her appointment has been a resounding success.

While the 160 rooms offer all the modern conveniences you would expect, including free Wi-Fi, there is plenty more to the location than just handy commuter trains and motorways. One of the biggest nature reserves of the Stockholm region, a nearby running track in a beautiful setting, and a sauna and gym facilities that are open every day of the week will please the fitness fans, and families on summer holidays tend to appreciate the heated outdoor pool.

Family-owned, charming and ideal for conferencing There have been good days and bad days in the 27 years since the opening, with more customers than the hotel could house at the end of the 1980s and a difficult phase during the property crisis half a decade later, but the ticket to complete

freedom came through the investment in Mornington Hotels, a chain the pair had been doing consultancy work for. At the turn of the millennium, having owned the chain for ten years, they sold it off and for the first time ever were able to become the sole owners of Welcome Hotel: the land, the property and the business itself.

As if that was not enough, they took over the old 17th century inn, Lasse Maja, which in addition to buckets of history and charm also offers ideal conferencing fa-

cilities and a popular restaurant for business representation. Named after the notorious thief who in 1812 was charged with stealing goods from the local church, the place is now known primarily for its traditional Christmas smorgasbord, or “julbord”. Attracting 10,000 guests every Christmas season, including locally residing celebrities, it is among the most popular julbord destinations in the entire Stockholm region.

“What’s so exciting about this whole thing is that, when you think of it, very few of the bigger hotels are privately owned these days – it’s all big chains. We’ve been running this in the family all along, and we’re hoping to continue to do so,” says the proud founder. Put simply, it’s a cost-saving idea implemented to share its moneysaving benefits with you, the customer, all without skimping on the good stuff.

That way, everybody is a winner.

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

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 75

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway

Hotel of the Month, Norway

Modern and stylish with beautiful surroundings Energihotellet has an unusual past as it was originally built as part of the hydropower plant Røldal-Suldal Kraft in the 1960s. The name Energihotellet means the Energy Hotel and plays both on its heritage and on the energy regained by holidaying in quiet and peaceful surroundings.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Energihotellet

Located in the small village of Nesflaten, once a central part of an old trade route, a stay here offers the chance of a relaxing break without distractions. As a hotel it is relatively new, having opened its doors in 2008. Small and intimate, it has 14 rooms with stunning views over the lake Suldalsvatnet and the Suldal Mountains.

Modern retro chic and nature to die for

“It is fairly unusual to find this kind of urban architecture in these rural areas,” says hotel director Olav Lindseth. “The

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Local food to the forefront The in-house restaurant has an expressed aim of serving homemade and local food whenever possible, and the local area is well known both for its hunting and fishing opportunities.

Natural lakes and fjords mean that there are great opportunities for fresh fish, such as trout, and the local forests are home to a lot of deer. Nearby Suldal produces local delicacy, Suldal skinke, a ham that is naturally dried hanging outside in the fresh country air.

“Using local food is tremendously important to us,” says Lindseth, “and we are constantly working on improving our offering and sourcing new suppliers.”

View from the hotel. Photo: Sigrid Thorbjørnsen

Energihotellet is built in classical 1960s style and is the work of renowned architect Geir Grung. The retro style is kept throughout the hotel, giving it a very distinctive look.

attractions like the Pulpit Rock and waterfall Låtefossen are also close by.”

furniture and décor are 1960s inspired, and one of the more unusual features is our gold-plated fireplace.”

“We are ideally located for anyone wanting to hike in the mountains as seven of the nine highest peaks in Rogaland are within easy reach,” says Lindseth. “Well-known

Nesflaten is easily accessible from both Stavanger Sola and Bergen Flesland airports, and the car journey from either will let you take in the stunning scenery of Fjord Norway.

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

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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

A full-scale copy of the Ladby ship is being built outside the museum. Photo: Lene Feveile

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Step inside the world’s only open Viking ship burial mound More than 1,000 years ago a Viking and his ship were laid to rest at Kerteminde Fjord on Funen. In 1935, the burial site became Denmark’s first Viking ship discovery, and today, Vikingemuseet Ladby is the world’s only museum inside a Viking ship burial mound.

By Signe Hansen

When Ladby Viking Ship was discovered back in 1935, the excitement was not confined to historians; it spread far and wide into every corner of Denmark. Mette Ladegaard Thøgersen, PhD in History and Curator of Vikingemuseet Ladby, explains why: “The enthusiasm for, and interest in, our Viking ancestry had existed for a long time in Denmark, but we did not have any actual ships until 1935 when the Ladby

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Ship turned up. Up until then we had only been able to look at our Norwegian neighbours with envy as they dug up ship after ship.”

The finding, which was to become such a milestone in the reconstruction of Denmark’s Viking legacy, was discovered by coincidence in a gravel pit ten minutes west of Kerteminde. But it took less than

two years for the burial mound to be reconstructed and for the site to be opened up to visitors.

Making history come alive While the grave’s historic and mythological significance has always exercised a strong pull on visitors, recent years have seen the old visitor centre turned into a modern, full of life museum with even more attraction. “Our museum is unique, not just in Denmark but in the world, because it is the only place where you can experience a Viking ship the exact way it was left 1,000 years ago,” says Thøgersen.

“You can walk around the ship’s original peaceful and serene settings inside the

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Top left: The Viking ship inside the recreated mount (Photo: Nicolai Godvin). Middle: Model of the Ladbyship, which was Denmark’s first Viking ship discovery (Photo: Werner Karrasch). Below: The exhibition at the Vikingemuseet Ladby contains objects from the grave and the surrounding area (Photo: Eigil Nicolajsen). Right: Vikings visit the museum every summer (Photo: Lene Feveile).

burial mound. We want this to be a place of reflection and thought, and that’s why we have kept it in this undisturbed state, but we are also aware that this is not enough, and that’s why we have created a lot of activities and experiences for children and grown-ups.”

One of the new additions is a theatre-like copy of the grave, in which the burial ceremony, the way it is likely to have taken place in the 10th century, is reconstructed through film and scenery. Next to the burial site, visitors can experience an exhibition of findings from the ship and the surrounding area, while a full-scale copy of the ship is being constructed by volunteer Viking and boat enthusiasts outside. “The new boat project has really added a new dimension to the museum, which has especially caught the interest of our male visitors,” Thøgesen says. The Viking boat, which like the original will be 21.5 metres long and have room for 32 oarsmen, is expected to be finished in the summer of 2014.

Inside the museum, a team of 25 female volunteer embroiders are working on a tapestry documenting the story of both the new and old Viking ship.

The grave of a globetrotter While the legacy of the Vikings is still strongly evident in Denmark, it is not contained within the country or even within Scandinavia. One of the aspects of the Vikings’ history which fascinates and draws in people all over the world (more than 50 per cent of the museum’s visitors are foreigners) is their apparently ever prevailing lust for adventurous voyages.

Accompanied by impressive navigation and boat building skills, this allowed them to trade, raid and settle far and wide. “The Viking Age is one of the few periods in Denmark’s history when we actually left a mark and got noticed and that is why the Viking symbols are used so widely to market Danish products; it is one of the most popular references in Danish brands,” explains Thøgersen.

The Ladby King, as the Viking who was buried in the Ladby Ship is widely referred to, was one of the many Vikings with connections all over Europe. This can be concluded from the many artefacts of foreign origin which he took with him into his grave. “I think this is one of the reasons the Viking age is so appealing to us because they, like we today, lived in close interaction with the world around them – for them water did not separate countries, it connected them,” Thøgersen stresses.

Vikingemuseet Ladby is open every day from 10am-5pm in August; TuesdaySunday 10am-4pm in September and October; and Tuesday-Sunday 12-16pm from November to February.

For more opening times, directions and other information, please visit: www.vikingemuseetladby.dk

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 79

Norway’s most complete Hardanger fiddle exhibition at Hardanger Folk Museum

Attraction of the Month, Norway

Hardanger & Voss Museum – The living museum Hardanger & Voss Museum tells the story of the local area in a compelling way, allowing the visitors to take part in daily tasks such as building a boat at the Hardanger Ship Preservation Centre, or listening to a concert while enjoying an art exhibition at Kabuso.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Hardanger & Voss Museum

The museum holds eight different departments, all telling stories of how it was, and still is, to live in the Hardanger and Voss region. The impressive collection includes folk museums with historic homes, art collections and the opportunity for visitors to actively take part. “It is a living museum where visitors can take part through activity trails and courses as well as watching the craftsmen and women go about their work sowing a traditional national costume or building a

80 | Issue 44 | September 2012

Café at Agatunet. Photo: Silje Solvi

boat,” marketing consultant Charlotte Theilmann says.

Hardanger – a cultural legacy The Hardanger Fjord is often referred to as the cultural fjord, where old traditions have survived even the most imposing modernisation process. Thus, the Hardanger Folk Museum is a must, and even the renowned travel guide Lonely Planet ranks it as the number one place to visit in the area. The museum acts as a source for the cultural heritage in the region, and comprises a collection of historic homes, schools and shops as part of the open air museum, as well as Norway’s most complete collection of the famed Hardanger fiddle, exhibitions on traditional weddings and the Hardanger costume. “We offer

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

courses in Hardanger embroidery, which have proved very popular. It originated here and is today a world known pattern,” Theilmann says.

Be a shipbuilder at the Hardanger Ship Preservation Centre The Hardanger Ship Preservation Centre is located close by and in a truly living museum as it is still in operation. Craftsmen continue the traditional work of building and preserving boats alongside traditional exhibitions, making it a particularly interesting museum as visitors are allowed to walk through the factory, touching and looking while the craftsmen do their work. “Witness the hard work of the boat builders and give the technique a try yourself on the activity trail. It is a unique way to experience a museum and allows visitors to get far closer to the subject,” Theilmann says. “Visitors come to our museums for an authentic experience, which truly reflects the history and lives of those who lived and worked, and still do, in the area.”

Walk into true lives at the Voss Folk Museum While authenticity characterises all the museums under the Hardanger & Voss Museum foundation, there are not many places in Norway on top of the Voss Folk Museum where you can experience a 16th century farmyard in its original form.

“Many museums comprise collections of houses from different epochs and places.

However, all three farmyards at the Voss Folk Museum are kept in their original state. People actually lived here until the 1920s, creating a unique atmosphere that visitors notice even today,” Theilmann elaborates.

Ingebrigt Vik Museum in Øystese.

Photo: Helge Skodvin

a large concert hall that often has artists of international calibre on their schedule.

Kabuso has created a special artistic scene, often combining exhibitions with concerts. The upcoming exhibition by performance artist Kurt Johannesen will open alongside a concert by the renowned saxophone player Andy Sheppard on 15 September. It is also worth noting the exhibition that opens on 3 November, a collection of paintings from Hardanger and Western Norway by Amaldus Nielsen. After the opening, Susanne Lundeng summons visitors with some traditional Norwegian folk music.

A museum for everyone

The world of art is coming together at Kabuso The Ingebrigt Vik Musesum and the Art House Kabuso are the artistic highlights of the foundation; the former is a celebration of the distinguished Norwegian sculptor Ingebrigt Vik, while the latter hosts changing art exhibitions and concerts. The acclaimed British artist Damien Hirst has previously exhibited here, alongside many big Norwegian and international names. Additionally, Kabuso houses

Located close to Bergen, the different museums offer an excellent daytrip from the city and are easily accessible by bus or train for those without a car. A perfect fit for everyone, the museums attract people of all ages who wish to see the authentic lives of people in the area.

Theilmann also emphasises their customised solutions. “Many groups come here as part of team building or one of our courses. We are happy to customise activities to fit their wishes,” Theilmann adds.

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

Above left: Rope making at Hardanger Maritime Center (Photo: Vegard Valde). Middle: Hardanger embroidery exhibition and courses at Hardanger Folk Museum. Right: Traditional wooden boats at Hardanger Maritime Center (Photo: Trond J. Hansen).

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 81

Scan Magazine | Food | Madsen Restaurant

From Janssons frestelse to glögg:

Don’t miss out on Madsen’s delicious Christmas buffet Madsen in South Kensington has been serving its popular Christmas buffet since the Scandi restaurant opened four years ago. This year through November and December, the restaurant will once again serve the most beloved parts of the Scandinavian Christmas meal, mainly influenced by the Danish “julefrokost” and the Swedish “julbord”. Make sure you book your table now as reservations have been coming in since March.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Madsen Restaurant

From 18 November until Madsen closes for Christmas on 22 December, groups of a minimum of eight people can book the Christmas buffet, and during the last weekends of December, the restaurant will serve the buffet to all diners instead of their normal menu.

“The buffet menu has not changed much from last year; it’s very Danish and Swedish. People don’t really want to try something new for their Christmas meal as they’re after the classics they know and love,” explains restaurant manager Rune Skov Petersen.

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From the traditional Swedish Christmas dinner or “julbord”, the restaurant will be offering the ever popular Janssons frestelse, a creamy potato dish with anchovies, as well as Christmas ham. Representing the Danish Christmas “lunch” (don’t let the name fool you; it’s still very much enjoyed in the evening), diners can enjoy a smörgåsbord of flæskesteg (Danish roast pork) and frikadeller (Danish meatballs); and the meal will start with herring, as is customary for the “julefrokost”, and be topped off with ris a l'amande, a rice pudding dessert that includes whipped cream and cherry sauce.

And it wouldn’t be an authentic Scandinavian Christmas meal without a glass of warm glögg, some schnapps and a selection of Scandinavian beers.

“While most people who book the buffet are Scandinavian themselves, either private groups or companies, there are some larger groups with only a few Scandinavians among them who want to introduce their colleagues to Scandinavian food. The buffet is of course for everyone willing to try it out, and it does offer a lot of options, even for pescetarians,” says Rune Skov Petersen.

For more information, please visit: www.madsenrestaurant.com For reservations contact: Tel. 020 7225 2772 reservations@madsenrestaurant.com

Scan Magazine | Food | SugarSin

Sisters Anna Nilsson and Josefin Deckel recently opened Swedish sweet shop SugarSin in Covent Garden.

Treat yourself to a Scandinavian SugarSin There is a new Swedish sweet shop in town and, in fact, the very first one of its kind.

Behind the counter sit Anna Nilsson and Josefin Deckel, two confectionary loving sisters who recently opened SugarSin in Covent Garden.

When they opened up the shop’s doors, Anna and Josefin were naturally anxious to hear what the English would think of the candy.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: SugarSin

“We wanted to create a modern Pippi Longstocking style shop where there was something for everyone, an environment that would transport you back to your childhood,” Anna Nilsson explains when we catch up with the ladies who created a shop akin to what might be found in the world of Willy Wonka.

“Sweets are very special to us Swedes and have become a very big part of our culture, almost sacred; we are extremely proud of this and for us they are the absolute best sweets in the world! We love the pick-and-mix culture, and generations have become used to selecting exactly what they desire and in what quantity, and of course the popularity of this method has meant the assortment has developed hugely in Sweden,” Anna explains.

They landed on British soil six years ago to study marketing in London. During this time Anna and Josefin had been joking about opening up a sweet shop. They were surprised to discover that Candy King, a Swedish-owned company which you will find in supermarkets and cinemas here, didn’t actually sell Swedish sweets, and something then clicked.

“Once we graduated we thought, OK, it’s now or never, and decided to introduce our fabulous Swedish pick-and-mix candy to the English,” say Anna and Josefin.

“Swedish and Scandinavian treats are of a very good quality compared to other countries, with much less artificial ingredients.

This is something we always notice immediately when we go abroad and buy sweets.”

“We have had a fantastic response so far which makes us feel like we’re on cloud nine,” Anna explains enthusiastically.

Future plans for the sisters include expansion and to take on new staff, hopefully setting up another branch.

“Ideally we would like to launch our own SugarSin products that we would sell to various stores and shops throughout the UK. We’re currently working on launching our web shop which will go live in the coming month,” says Anna Nilsson.

For more information, please visit: www.sugarsin.co.uk

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 83

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Alongside the traditional Danish pastry, Andersen Bakery produces a few pastries with a Japanese twist like the green tea infused cinnamon swirl.

Danish bakery traditions with Japanese roots What do you get if you combine Japanese work discipline, Danish bakery traditions and a sprinkle of fairy tales? The answer is Andersen Bakery, a Japanese-owned Danish bakery and cafe located in Copenhagen’s beautiful Tivoli Gardens.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Andersen Bakery

In a sense, Andersen Bakery had been underway for a very long time when the first bakery opened in Denmark five years ago.

The idea first emerged after the founder’s, the late Mr. Shunsuke Takaki, first visit to Denmark in 1956. Upon his return to Japan, Takaki, inspired by the Danish pastry traditions, opened up the first Andersen Bakery in Hiroshima. For decades, the Andersen Bakery very successfully sold and produced Danish bread and pastries in Japan. But it was, explains sales manager Nanna Helsinghoff, always an express wish of the founder to return the success to its birthplace. “The Danish pastry worked so well in Japan, and he (Takaki) felt that it had given him so much that he wanted to give something back,” she says.

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The founder’s wish was fulfilled by his children, who, after his death, opened up the first bakery in Copenhagen in May 2008.

Hot dogs, smørrebrød and pastries Andersen Bakery and cafe in Tivoli (facing the central station, it is also accessible from outside the garden), thanks to its central location and delicious traditional Danish treats, is hugely popular with tourists. In the eyes of Copenhageners, it is, however, the Japanese twist which gives it an edge compared to the city’s other successful bakeries. “We aim to make Danish bread and pastries and then add some Japanese ingredients to a few of them,” explains Helsinghoff. “But the

most important thing is the way we work; it is very Japanese. We take our time with our work and make sure that every pastry is the same in shape and form, and that means, for instance, that something which takes one hour in other places might take two here.”

Among the Japanese infused products are a green tea cinnamon swirl, An-pan, sunrise macaroon bun, sweet crème pain and much more.

Among other popular items on the cafe’s menu is the cafe’s mouth-watering brunch plate, the kind of selection of a little bit of everything that is hugely popular among Copenhageners. Another is their organic gourmet hotdogs made, of course, with home-baked rolls.

For more information, please visit: www.andersen-danmark.dk

Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who takes the tiny moments where you find proof that YOU WERE RIGHT about something way too seriously?

Reading a magazine yesterday, I saw an ad featuring a skinny, bony and yes, tall model looking really pissed off – which I totally get! She probably has some deal with her agency that she can’t have cake, which would make me very angry too - but back to my glorious moment of righteousness.

My triumph was that the jeans she was wearing were the same style, same cut, same colour as a pair I had 10 years ago!

Yes, sadly HAD is the keyword. Because I HAD these style icons, until some “you-really-ought-to-clean-out-yourwardrobe-type” (generally referred to as my husband) recently suggested we throw the jeans out, using irrelevant arguments like “you never wear them”.

Faced with such atrocities, I fire back that my wardrobe tactic is pretty similar to most countries’ nuclear weapons policy:

we might not use them but they are mighty nice to have.

This did not make my husband cave in, so I had to further argue, and this is where I, in desperation, turned to logic (men seem so keen about that): “But they will come back in fashion,” I said. A valid, rational point, because that is the secret to the whole fashion hoopla: clothes are like Duran Duran, every decade they pop up and become all trendy again.

My husband’s reply was that “IF the jeans come back they will be in a different colour or cut”. At that point I was running low on logic and turned to the clarity-enhancing: “I think NOT.” And BOOM there it was – THE PROOF! The fancy ad with the model wearing my jeans 10 years later. They did come back in fashion! My humiliation was over. I could

Swedish hospitality

The first time I met my boyfriend’s mother, she warmly embraced me and told me where the extra loo roll was kept in her house, just in case the awful occasion arose whereby she’d forgotten to put a roll out. From the moment I crossed the threshold of her house, delicious food was literally hurled at me. The bed I retired to in the evening was so sumptuously

never again be expected to throw out perfectly good clothing.

Triumphant, I showed my husband the magazine, seething: “I had a pair of jeans like that. Now they’re back in fashion, and YOU made me get rid of them!”

My husband looked at the magazine page and said dryly: “Oh. I had a girlfriend like that! YOU made me get rid of her.”

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

padded with duvets and pillows that it sent me into a sort of luxurious coma. On leaving, more food was wrapped in tinfoil and firmly stuffed inside my bag and a line-up of items from the home that ‘I might want’ was offered – gravy jugs, vases, recipe books.

My boyfriend’s first visit to my parents’ house was a different experience. There are many Swedes who embrace the domestic god/goddess approach to having guests. My mother is not one of them.

Neither is my father, although he will serve you a cracking daiquiri on your arrival. After that you are told where the food is and in which general direction you might find a bed in the house. And then you are left to your own devices. This is not because my parents are in any way inhospitable – they are extremely generous and caring – it is just a Scandinavian way of respecting your capability of taking care of yourself. My boyfriend handled all this with grace up until bedtime. He looked

with horror at the single bed presented to us – a stack of sheets folded at the foot of the thin mattress, ready for us to make our bed. ‘It’s just not normal!’ he wailed.

Luckily, some time later, we visited Sweden and stayed at enough hostels for it to be demonstrated to him that clearly – in Sweden – it is.

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 44 | September 2012 | 85

Scan Business | Key Note | Jess Draskau-Petersson

Scan Business Business Columns & News 86 | Business Features 88 | Conferences of the Month 97 | Business Calendar 100

88

94

97

Bid to be the greatest Dane of all time… over the marathon distance

By Jess Draskau-Petersson | Photo: Jay Lockwood Photography

I have been asked to sum up what are the most valuable tools for an endurance athlete; aside from physical resilience to withstand high mileage, mental tools are perhaps among the most important. Ethnographic researchers suggest there is a “Nordic type”, with attributes described as “great independence of character, individual initiative, and tenacity of will”. I have certainly relied on these characteristics over the course of the last year as I set out to take on the London 2012 Olympic Marathon.

I had not trained for four years and had never done the mileage necessary for a fast marathon as I had previously focused on the Ironman Triathlon. Undeterred I set out on this journey to represent Denmark at the Olympics to share a “last hurrah” with my dad who has Alzheimer’s. I wanted to focus on any positive action I could do, rather than sit back and wait for the condition to progress. My dad rowed for Denmark in the 1950s and proudly tells me about winning the Nordic Championships.

So I ran in the dark in Richmond Park by myself before and after work. I worked as an international HR Manager; my colleagues thought I was bonkers. I was helped by a local teacher, Noel Stoddart, who wrote a training plan for me and coaches a group of dedicated under 20year-olds (www.harambeerunning.org.uk). I enjoyed running with them when I could, and they

86 | Issue 44 | September 2012

were a great energetic cheering squad at both of the marathons

in sport. To be able to take racing to the next level and to represent Denmark to the best of my ability will require a new level of dedication and commitment, a lifestyle change and making sacrifices, including career choices. Competing at this level will also bring increased financial demands and media exposure. I do currently have availability for brand ambassador and sponsorship agreements, so if you can match me in stamina and tenacity, contact me on my email and together we can share the journey to become the fastest female Danish marathoner ever (currently number 4 on the all-time list).

The first one, London Marathon on 22 April, was the qualification race for the Olympics.

I tore my calf at mile 8 and Ironman racing experience proved valuable in embracing the “suffer fest”. I finished with a time of 2:34:56. It proved enough to get me selected. Unfortunately my dad’s Alzheimer’s got worse, meaning he could not be part of London 2012. Of course going to the Olympics and representing my family, friends and country is a huge deal, and I actually enIt is an honour to represent joyed the marathon, and Denmark, and I hope that I it was great to finish feelcan encourage more people ing strong. However, I will to participate in running. always feel that I failed on Jess Draskau Petersson in action.

Email: jdpLondon2012@gmail.com Numbers in mass participamy mission as I was not tion running events in Denable to share this with my mark are growing fast. Perhaps this is not surdad. I was surprised and a bit overwhelmed by prising; after all in its simplest form running the attention and the number of people that did fits very well with the so called “Nordic type” want to share the Olympic experience. tenacity: keep going, whatever happens, keep going.

I might not have got a second chance with my dad, but I have got a second chance to compete

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Scan Business | Feature | Facile & Co

The punsch is back Facile & Co return to the UK market Founded in 1993, Swedish spirits company Facile & Co has had its ups and downs over the years, shifting from selling vodka to jet-setting celebrities to focusing on their traditional Swedish liqueur punsch and gin Imagin. After several years of absence from the UK market, Facile & Co have finally returned with their Facile XO punsch – much to the joy of Swedish ex-pats.

By Nia Kajasie | Photos: Facile & Co

Facile & Co is a company that specialises in building premium spirit brands for the global drinks market by developing, producing, marketing and selling its own brands. The company was quoted on the Swedish stock exchange in the first quarter of 2000 (not listed since 2006) and has around 400 shareholders, which include familiar names such as ABBA’s Agnetha Fältskog and Benny Andersson, Roxette’s Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson, Swedish singer Tomas Ledin, and Robert Andrén, a well-known risk capitalist.

Facile & Co was close to a trade sale in 2001 when sales of their vodka Seriously peaked at around 30,000 cases a year in the UK, making up 11 per cent of the UK premium vodka market. However, the only brand sale in Facile’s history happened in late 2004 when they sold their Seriously Pinky vodka (now known as just Pinky vodka) to a company in Los Angeles, controlled today by United Spirits, by volume the largest spirits company in the world.

The company was selling good volumes of their Seriously vodka in the London area ten years ago; with Madonna and Richard Branson reportedly among its celebrity drinkers. “However, we ended up making a relatively large loss every year. The biggest mistake and problem was that the

88 | Issue 44 | September 2012

company never became part of an international distribution network,” explains Hans-Eric Waborg, who joined the company in 2007 as a board member and became managing director in May 2008.

Today, Facile is putting their Seriously vodka brand up for sale and is instead focusing on selling punsch in Sweden and the UK, and exporting their gin Imagin to Europe; it is currently sold in Spain, which is, surprisingly, one of the largest gin markets in Europe. The company is looking for new importers and distributors for Imagin within all of Europe.

The origins of punsch The history of punsch in Sweden dates back to 1733 when the East India Company’s ship Fredricius Rex Suecia arrived in Gothenburg, loaded with many exotic things including arrack from Batavia, Indonesia, which would radically change Swedish drinking customs. Arrack became the base ingredient for making Swedish punsch, which became known as an inherent part of Swedish celebrations and traditions. While it was originally drunk warm, it is now consumed chilled and is much valued as an afterdinner drink.

At the peak of Swedish punsch consumption during the 19th century, around five

Scan Business | Feature | Facile & Co

million litres were drunk every year in Sweden, while today, Systembolaget, Sweden’s state-run alcohol retail monopoly, sells 150,000 litres annually.

The Swedish love affair with punsch continues

Facile XO was first introduced in Sweden in 1993 as the first new punsch for 76 years. The golden amber coloured liqueur is based on carefully selected Batavia arracks and rums from Jamaica, which are stored in oak barrels to achieve maximum complexity before blending. Known as one of the finest liqueurs in its category, Facile XO was served at the Nobel Prize gala dinner in Stockholm, Sweden, three times (in 2000, 2010 and 2011).

After around four years of absence from the UK market, Facile XO is finally back again. “Two years ago we re-established links with the UK through importer and UK distributor Amathus Drinks for our punsch business. The main target is the Swedish population living in London and the UK,” says Waborg. “The reception among the Swedes has been very positive; they’re happy to be able to buy Facile XO in the UK again. The old punsch traditions are still very popular among Swedish people, with the Anglo-Swedish Society even holding a Swedish Punsch Ball.”

Swedish punsch Facile XO (left) and Seriously vodka (right).

At the moment, you can buy Facile XO in London at Amathus Drinks’ shops in Soho and Leadenhall Market, TotallySwedish’s two shops, as well as both their websites, and at Scandinavian Kitchen. Swedish coffee shop Fika, on the other hand, serves Facile punsch cocktails by replacing rum in the recipes. Facile & Co will also be

represented at the Scandinavia Show together with Amathus Drinks in October.

For more information, please visit: www.facile.se www.amathusdrinks.com

Facile & Co's celebrity shareholders include ABBA’s Agnetha Fältskog (top left) and Benny Andersson (below), Swedish singer Tomas Ledin (top right), and Roxette’s Per Gessle (middle) and Marie Fredriksson (right). Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 89

Proposed Waterfront housing in Larvik for Fritzøe Eiendom AS. Illustration: Rift for LOF arkitekter

LOF Arkitekter Combining new thinking with classical Scandinavian design LOF Arkitekter champions the challenging task of combining modern architecture with Scandinavian design traditions. This has made the firm one to note on the architecture market.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: LOF Arkitekter

The Oslo-based architect firm was established in 1985 as a result of a successful competition. The two original partners, Ingebjørg Lien and Sverre Olsen, are still behind the steering wheel and can look back at nearly 30 years of a gradual development into a renowned firm, working with clients like DnB and Statoil Fuel & Retail, and some of the influential Norwegian property developers.

Developing modern architecture with a timeless touch While the firm does not adhere to a specific style, they aim for modern expres-

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sions. “We emphasise contemporary solutions as we want our projects to be part of the current time. One should be able to see that it is 2012,” Olsen notes. “At the same time it is important for us to maintain a timeless and lasting dimension in our work.” The firm has proven that the two can be combined in an unproblematic way, by engaging in residential and commercial buildings, urban planning, renovation and new developments.

Architecture needs to be experienced live The firm is characterised by its combination of modern architecture and Scandi-

navian traditions, and they travel extensively to find inspiration. “We travel a lot to look at architecture and are inspired both by classical masters and some of the younger architects. It is particularly interesting to view much of the work done in Denmark and Finland,” Olsen notes. “Architecture must be experienced live by walking around in and through the buildings. Only then you will recognise light setting, materials and the feeling of the space, as we say. Good architecture can and should encourage emotions and feelings, something reading about architecture in a magazine cannot revive.”

The DnB offices – a long and fruitful process The Norwegian banking group DnB is one of the firm’s biggest clients, whom they have worked for since the 1990s. It has

Scan Business | Feature | LOF Arkitekter

been a long process where they have worked with the individual branches around Norway, adapting each single branch into the company profile. “The individual branches may not be spectacular, but it has been challenging and interesting to come up with different solutions for each place over a short period of time.

Having wrapped it all up, we have come up with good solutions and learned lots. This experience has also been valuable for many of our further projects,” Olsen notes.

Developing a new part of Oslo Another interesting project, which LOF Arkitekter is currently working on, is the development of HasleLinje, a part of Oslo.

This involves the transformation of an industrial area into what is assumed to become one of the most vibrant parts of the city once completed. LOF Arkitekter has finished the zone planning and is now working on specific building projects, including the Aller Media Norway building.

“It is particularly rewarding to work on the Aller building, much due to the position of the company, but also as it is the first new building that will be built,” Olsen elaborates.

The work for DnB and the development of HasleLinje in Oslo fall under two of three main pillars in which LOF Arkitekter is specialised, namely renovation and interior design, and urban planning. Residential development is the third pillar, an area in which the firm is gaining increasing momentum. “Working with residential developments is becoming an increasingly large part of our portfolio and provides us with challenging projects,” Olsen notes.

Top: Proposed Headquarters for Aller Media Norge at Hasle Linje, Oslo. Below left: Proposed Headquarters for Statoil Fuel & Retail in Oslo. Right: The courtyard opens up to give river views at a mixed-use project in Drammen. For Union Eiendomsutvikling AS and to be completed in 2013.

Illustrations: Rift for LOF arkitekter.

aspect in our contributions, now the latest project Sanden on the Larvik seaside,” Olsen says.

A vibrant office The secret behind most successes is the people. This is no exception and Olsen emphasises the importance of a positive working environment. “In order to be a good company, we need to create a positive environment. I am sure many will say

the same, but it is nevertheless crucial,” he says. “It can be a challenging task to combine the employees’ working desires and the running of the office, but we do our best to make both employees and clients happy.”

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

On the waterfront Another noteworthy characteristic of their work is the meeting between sea and land. Projects like Union Brygge in Drammen and Tjuvholmen in Oslo illustrate how the firm often uses sea and land as a common basis. “We are inspired by this combination and have developed a particular skill for these types of projects,” Olsen elaborates and notes that they have won numerous competitions with this approach. “This appears to be the winning

Left: Branch for DnB at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (Photo: Therese Fische). Right: Dwellings at the bridgehead, Tjuvholmen, Oslo (Illustration: Knut Ramstad).

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 91

Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra, Jazzhouse, July 12, 2012

The return of Copenhagen’s premier jazz haunt

whole place and ended up with a much better club today,” explains music director Lennart Ginman, who is also known as a musician, composer and producer.

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen”

Jazzhouse, set in the heart of Copenhagen, is known as Denmark’s primary venue for contemporary jazz, which promises surprising performances, innovative collaborations and novel experiences. After closing for renovation due to flooding last summer, the jazz club once again opened its doors for jazz-thirsty patrons this June.

By Nia Kajasie

While Jazzhouse has seen many big names grace its stages, from Herbie Hancock to Dave Holland, the club puts equal emphasis on well-known artists and upand-coming names, as well as classic and contemporary jazz.

Photos: Kristoffer Juel Poulsen, www.jazzhouse.dk

Jazzhouse, originally named Copenhagen Jazzhouse, was established in 1991 to help fill the hole that the famous Jazzhus Montmartre left in the city’s jazz scene. A group of musicians got together to fund the plan, and the new jazz club was also supported by the government. The aim was to create the flagship of Danish jazz clubs that would serve as a national platform for both international and Danish jazz musicians.

Since the venue opened in Niels Hemmingsens Gade 10, it has become home to a buzzing jazz scene with approximately 200 concerts staged every year.

After suffering damage during the heavy rainfalls in July 2011, Jazzhouse was

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Entrance, Jazzhouse

forced to undergo a thorough revamp.

While the closing of the club for a long period was an unfortunate setback, the new and improved premises have received plenty of praise.

“The effects of the renovation were both very bad and very good. We had to be closed for 10 months, but we changed the

“Jazz is a lot of different things. It can be modern, old fashioned, electronic or bebop.

There’s no one style, and you can have so many different artists and collaborations.

We aim to include a lot of surprises in our programme,” says Ginman. “We’re not locked in or always showcasing one type of jazz. Good jazz is often improvisation. We’re very connected to the future and the now; the club is not a jazz museum.”

Accordingly, when Ginman became the music director around five years ago, he started off with different event headlines, such as classic jazz club, Natjazz (latenight jazz) and jazz’n’poetry, and began building the programme from there. While the big names are a great draw, the con-

Scan Business | Feature | Jazzhouse

certs that the club puts together on its own are where the real work and inspiration lie. “A good club has original stuff and knows how to put things together. It’s hard work but also interesting,” says Ginman. “We have avant-garde days in September where we do things our own way.

We’ll have four electronic musicians remixing Ornette Coleman's jazz. Nobody really knows what’s going to happen.”

A new side to jazz Jazzhouse still retains a strong link to jazz heritage and history, while simultaneously seeking to develop the genre as a contemporary musical language. The venue serves as an open house that makes a big effort to interact with other musical projects, concert organisers and different art forms as well. It is all about keeping the balance and offering a platform for world-class jazz of all types.

Ambrose Akinmusire, Jazzhouse, July 6, 2012

“We don’t include anything we don’t love, so trust us, come in and experience a new side of jazz. The concerts are meant for everybody; and while it’s easy to create something specifically for the younger or older audience, we want to mix it up and open people’s eyes – provoke them a little.

They will hear something that they didn’t know they would like.”

Locals and tourists, young and old, traditionalists and avant-gardists – there is something for everyone, and more importantly, everything is for everyone. In the European jazz hub of Copenhagen, you will find one of the best places to enjoy jazz – and be surprised.

Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas, Jazzhouse, July 8, 2012

FACTS Big names set to play Jazzhouse this autumn include John Scofield Trio (US), Stacey Kent (US), Allan Holdsworth (UK), Jakob Bro & Thomas Knak (DK), Lotte Anker & Ikui Mori (DK/JP) and many others.

For more information and the full programme, please visit: www.jazzhouse.dk Neneh Cherry & The Thing, Jazzhouse, July 10, 2012

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 93

Welcome to Norway’s most international university The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) is one of eight accredited universities in Norway, and boasting students of 90 different nationalities, it also constitutes the most international and multicultural campus in Norway. Non-Norwegians make up 17 per cent of the university’s student population, creating an open and friendly international learning environment for anyone interested in pursuing a degree at the UMB. The university forms a hub of expertise within the life sciences, environmental sciences and sustainable development; and its main specialization areas include biology, food, environment, technology, land use and natural resource management.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: The Norwegian University of Life Sciences

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences is located in the municipality of Ås in southern Norway, only 40 kilometres from Oslo and 80 kilometres from Oslo Airport.

The history of the institution spans all the

94 | Issue 44 | September 2012

way back to 1859 when it was initially established as an agricultural school. Later on in 1897 it became a scientific university college (vitenskapelig høgskole), and from then onwards, it was known as the Agri-

cultural University of Norway (NLH), all the way until 2005 when it received full university accreditation from NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education).

Today, the UMB is recognised as a leading international centre of knowledge, focused on higher education and research within environmental and bio-sciences.

With 14 Master’s and one Bachelor’s degree, together with various non-degree courses, offered fully in English, the university provides a lot of opportunities for an international student; it is also an excellent place to make new friends and establish networks that will be beneficial in an international academic career.

International links “An institution like the Norwegian University of Life Sciences should contribute to

Scan Business | Feature | The Norwegian University of Life Sciences

the international academic and research community. Participation in international research networks helps us improve our own performance, which has ripple effects, improving the quality of everything we do,” explains Rector Hans Fredrik Hoen.

FACTS

Accordingly, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences has garnered several decades of experience with international institutional cooperation. Many institutional agreements with universities outside Norway have been active since the late 1960s.

Fees: Semester fee NOK 340 for all students

Location: Ås, southern Norway; 30 minutes from Oslo Number of students: 4,300 Number of international courses (courses offered in English): approx.

330

Accommodation: Guaranteed accommodation on campus (contingent on timely application by the student). Minimum budget for one semester (five months) – NOK 12,500.

According to government statistics the average student in Norway spends approx. NOK 8,000– 10,000 per month while studying.

Ideal learning environment “The Norwegian University of Life Sciences aims to be an internationally renowned and innovative university for life sciences, environment and sustainable development. We offer high professional quality and a high degree of teacher-student interaction, and a pleasant social and physical environment characterises education at our campus,” says Hoen.

Students can, for example, lose themselves in thought in the university park, probably the oldest arboretum in Norway,

with trees that date back to the founding years of the UMB. The park covers about 60 hectares (150 acres) and contains some 1,400 different varieties of plants.

The international student community is also a big part of the university experience, and through an introduction programme for new international students as well as a buddy programme, everyone can feel welcome and thoroughly initiated.

Its international status is a great strength which the UMB and all of the existing students, Norwegians and non-Norwegians, work towards creating in this ideal learning environment.

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

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 95

Supporting international education means supporting Aalborg

By Signe Hansen & Nia Kajastie

Photos: Skipper Clement International School

Skipper Clement International School is the only school in Aalborg and North Jutland that offers quality education in English to children aged five to seventeen, with a recognized international examination system (Cambridge). The on-going demand for international education in the area has become evident over the years, but due to lack of space the international department is currently unable to grow.

The school provides education in both Danish and English, while the international department, which was established over ten years ago, now includes a core of established and experienced teachers.

The school is a registered CIE centre offering up to nine IGCSE subjects, as well as Danish FSA and FS10 exams.

“Unfortunately these are difficult times, and we haven’t found any company able to back us yet. Without this support, it is unlikely we can take on a new building, and without a new building, it will be impossible for the International department to grow to a full line of 11 single year group classes,” says school leader Per Lyngberg-Andersen. “It would be a shame to lose this development at this stage. There is no other international school in North Jutland, and international schools do not grow on trees. Getting this far has been ten years of hard work.”

Growth struggles The richness of multiculturalism The international department currently has 150 students from all over the world. Many of their parents work at Aalborg University or Aalborg Hospital, and often families from overseas are only staying short term.

Parent survey results of 2011 show that the international department is providing a service which supports the recruitment of specialized overseas professionals to the area, along with their families.

96 | Issue 44 | September 2012

Since its foundation in 2001, the international department has grown to comprise eight classes, but unfortunately there is no room for further growth. The school has pursued various options and is waiting for its development plans to be approved by the local commune. While the school is working hard to find solutions to over-crowding problems and issues with structural stability and multi-level classes, it has found it difficult to move forward without sponsorship.

Without a realistic opportunity for the school to resolve over-crowding problems within the next year, the long-term future of the International School in Aalborg is at serious risk.

For more information, please visit: www.aais.dk or www.skipper-clement-skolen.dk

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Finland

Conference of the Month, Finland

The vast and the versatile Based in the seaside town of Turku, Logomo is a new and innovative centre for cultural, creative and business events. With a moving stage and an acoustic system never seen before in Finland, the giant complex provides unique versatility for any kind of function.

By Inna Allen | Photos: Logomo

Opened last year, Logomo launched its operation with a bang – as the main arena and the cultural epicentre for the Turku European Culture Capital 2011. Since its launch, it has kept growing and is now recognised as one of Finland’s most diversified event venues. Housed in a historic old railway workshop and boasting modern state-of-the-art technology throughout, the venue’s architecture creates a stunning setting for the different

sectors of the centre. Stretching to a whopping 24,000 square metres of indoor space, Logomo comprises three wings, LO, GO and MO – all providing versatile and flexible spaces for any public or private event.

Based in the GO wing, Logomo’s largest single space is the extraordinary Logomo Hall. Providing diverse possibilities, from classical concerts and rock gigs to ballet

and fashion shows, the hall’s unique rolling stand that works with air cushions can be moved around to allow for audiences from 760 all the way up to 3,500 people. Along with the Logomo Hall, there are five smaller halls, all with auditorium and conference facilities, plus six conference rooms and three box seats, which can be rented for private or business functions. “From large-scale congresses, product launches and client meetings to smaller more intimate office parties and gatherings, we can cater for all kinds of happenings. With such a vast multipurpose space, you can really let your imagination run wild,” says managing director Päivi Rytsä. “We are also launching different conference packages where clients can utilize our selection of available events and combine business with leisure.”

Logomo’s restaurant seats 200 diners and the in-house catering service can cover even the vastest of banqueting functions.

Logomo is easily accessible and conveniently located right by the railway station, only 15 minutes from Turku airport or two hours by train from Helsinki.

For more information, please visit: www.logomo.fi

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 97

Britannia has extensive experience in hosting functions, including meetings and conferences, and can offer modern facilities and meeting rooms of various sizes

Conference of the Month, Norway

A historical hotel with up-to-date conference facilities Trondheim’s Britannia Hotel is one of those hotels that is simply in a league of its own.

Classic, elegant and with an astonishing reputation, it has played host to artists, pop stars and royalty since it opened over a century ago, in 1897. Boasting 247 rooms, a city centre location, a modern spa and several restaurants and bars, Britannia can handle most types of events.

Situated right in the heart of Trondheim’s city centre within walking distance of many of Trondheim’s attractions, concert venues and theatres, you could not ask for a better location.

By Karin Modig | Photos: Britannia Hotel

Conference facilities Britannia has extensive experience in hosting functions, including meetings and conferences, and can offer modern facilities and meeting rooms of various sizes.

“We are naturally very proud of the position the hotel has held throughout the years as the most classic hotel in Trondheim,” says sales and marketing manager Ole-Kristian Fossheim. “Tradition is very important to us, and we have a lot to offer our guests.”

With nearly 250 different rooms of various styles and sizes, there are rooms to suit most preferences. On the second floor, the stunning Artist Rooms are perfect for art lovers as they are adorned with works from some of Norway’s best-known and loved artists. In addition to single and double rooms, there are eleven unique suites.

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“Across our twelve meeting and conference rooms, we have the capacity for hosting anything from small meetings to an auditorium-style conference for up to 420 people,” says Fossheim. “We are also in the process of adding two new meeting rooms, opening in September, which will bring the total up to 14 private rooms.”

Marketing manager Ole-Kristian Fossheim with two course and conference colleagues.

The hotel has a great deal of history, but the conference facilities are brand new

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Norway

and modern, and fully equipped with WiFi, microphones, projector screens, HDquality projectors and sound systems.

“We have dedicated conference hosts that tend to conference guests and liaise with them and the rest of the hotel staff,” he says. “Certain things are automatically included in the standard conference package, but we are very flexible and strive to fulfil additional requests to ensure that our guests’ expectations are met and often exceeded!”

The immense banquet hall and some of the other rooms are suitable for private occasions like weddings, christenings, birthdays and other celebrations. Larger conferences often use the banquet hall for a concluding conference dinner on the last day.

The Britannia Spa Anyone booking a conference, and indeed all guests, benefit from free use of the Spa, something that has proved very popular with conference guests especially.

Opened only three years ago, the Britannia Spa is an 850-square-metre recreational oasis of calmness, the perfect place to wind down after a few days of intense meetings and hard work. As the Spa is fully licensed, it also means guests are free to enjoy a glass of refreshing bubbly while unwinding and relaxing.

“The Britannia Spa offers a swimming pool and a Dead Sea Mineral pool situated beneath a ceiling decorated like the Northern Lights with stars beaming down,” says Fossheim. “There is also a steam room and, of course, several saunas and a fully equipped gym, and all guests have complimentary access to all of this.”

In addition, the Spa has several treatment rooms and offers massages, skincare and foot therapy and treatments. The Spa is open to the public as well and has become a popular feature amongst the city’s inhabitants.

Food Britannia Hotel is also very well known in Trondheim for their food offerings in their

three restaurants, Palmehaven, Jonathan and Hjørnet.

Spectacular Palmehaven is an indoor garden restaurant that began life as the hotel’s garden in 1918. Today the lush plants are inside, and a glass ceiling covers the grand room. It is open for breakfast and lunch, and this is where lunches are served for conference delegates.

Jonathan, the basement wine bar and restaurant opened in 1987, and is renowned for its signature dish, Jonathan’s Cellar Beef. “This is by far our best-selling item, and the presentation of it is pretty special as it is served on a flat stone and actually cooks at the table,” says Fossheim.

Upstairs you have the more casual bar and brasserie, Hjørnet, where uncomplicated lunch dishes and homemade ice cream attracts hotel guests and locals alike. The informal atmosphere is popular with groups and singles, young and old, and is equally suited for a business lunch as a casual meal with friends.

With years of experience, good conference facilities and no lack of good food and spa opportunities, Britannia is more than well equipped to host conferences and other types of events.

In conjunction with the completion of the last two meeting rooms, Britannia Hotel is running an autumn campaign from September through October, offering conference guests half board at 1,620 NOK per person. In addition to the accommodation itself, including a fantastic buffet breakfast in Palmehaven, the price includes meeting room and equipment hire, fresh fruit, coffee, tea and water, and a buffet lunch.

Call or e-mail the hotel on +47 73 800 800 or Britannia@britannia.no.

Britannia Hotel is easily accessible from Trondheim Airport Værnes.

For more information, please visit: britannia.no

SPECIAL OFFER Britannia Hotel would like to offer all Scan Magazine readers a special VIP internet rate of NOK 1295,- pp per night in single or double occupancy and a NOK 100 value voucher to be spent in the house during the stay.

Please make your reservation on www.britannia.no by using the code SCANWEB when booking.

Valid in October, based on availability. T&C’s apply.

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 99

Scan Business | News | Business Events

Scandinavian Business Calendar – Highlights of Scandinavian business events The Annual Crayfish Party Join the SCC for an evening of traditional crayfish extravaganza onboard the HMS President (1918), which is permanently moored in the City of London. The event promises great food, entertainment and lots of singing and dancing.

Date: 7 September

Aberdeen Wednesday Drink Boom in the Norwegian Oil and Gas Industry - What Are the Challenges?

Venue: Park Inn Hotel, Aberdeen Date: 12 September

Annual Crayfish Party (JCC) The JCC crayfish party is back by popular demand. The event will include traditional Swedish crayfish, snaps, ‘nubbevisor’ and dancing. The party will then continue at one of London's premiere night clubs.

Date: 15 September

London Stock Exchange - The Euro: One for All or All for Nothing?

The Nordic Chambers of Commerce in London are again hosting the annual event at London Stock Exchange, this year focusing on the Euro. We set the scene by listing the potential scenarios for the future survival of the Euro in its current form, the exit of a number of weaker Euro members or the possibility of a total collapse. Speakers: David Marsh (OMFIF), Lord David Owen & Carsten Jørgensen (LK Advisers).

Venue: London Stock Exchange Date: 19 September

Please note that the above events will be open predominantly to the members of the chambers of commerce.

100 | Issue 44 | September 2012

An introduction to polo with Atkins Polo Academy Join us for half a day of polo with Atkins Polo Academy, located at the famous Dashwood Estate. Upon arriving at the West Wycombe Polo Club, guests will have the opportunity to watch a match between an English and a Swedish team. Drinks and canapés will be served during the game.

Date: 22 September

Lunch o’Clock Live The much appreciated LINK column comes to life. Join the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for a casual networking luncheon comprised of a two course buffet with coffee/tea and petit fours.

Date: 25 September

Energy Seminar with the Norwegian Embassy Visit www.nbccuk.com to register and to find out more about upcoming NBCC events.

Venue: Residence of the Norwegian Ambassador Date: 26 September

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 Kensington Hotel Date: 27 September

After Work at Cirque du Soir Join the JCC for an eventful evening at one of London’s most exclusive nightclubs.

Cirque du Soir brings the most exclusive circus to London with the most sumptuous surroundings. Be welcomed at the door by the ringmaster and then escorted downstairs by theatrically themed characters ranging from the signature Cirque du Soir clown to their goblin themed dwarf.

Date: 28 September

The Scandinavia Show 2012 The DUCC will again be organising a joint exhibition stand at the Scandinavia Show for companies interested, members or not. We are open to product as well as service companies. We will be located at stand No. 35 in the Design & Lifestyle section of the exhibition.

Venue: Brompton Hall, Earl’s Court Date: 6-7 October

Nordic Thursday Drinks The Nordic Thursday Drinks is a perfect occasion to network with people from the Photo: DUCC

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

“New job, new country, new culture. I’m confident knowing that my investments remain in good hands no matter where my career takes me next” Lisa, 37, CEO, International Private Banking client Photo: Magnus Arrevad

The Swedish Chamber at the Scandinavia Show The SCC will be exhibiting at this year’s Scandinavia Show. The Scandinavia Show is the only UK show dedicated to showcasing the best of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

The show incorporates Scandinavian design, travel, lifestyle, fashion, culture and food.

Venue: Brompton Hall, Earl’s Court Date: 6-7 October

How to control and manage social media within your company Social media can mean a great deal to a company’s reputation and turnover. In order for many companies to succeed, it is essential to learn how to master, as well as learn how to maximize and maintain a campaign within social media. Representatives from Activeark and Advokatfirman Delphi will be on hand to answer an array of questions on the topic.

Date: 11 October

Lunch o’Clock Live The much appreciated LINK column comes to life. Join the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for a casual networking luncheon comprised of a two-course meal.

Date: 17 October

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We have set up an individualised investment strategy that corresponds to Lisa’s risk profile while generating a satisfactory return, no matter where she is located. In Danske Bank International, we carry out regular wealth checks to ensure the most favourable investment plan for Lisa.

If you want help planning your investments, 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.

Photo: Magnus Arrevad

The Olympics: were you flagging?

I despaired on learning that London had been ‘awarded’ the 2012 Olympics. And I winced when Boris staggered about the Athens stadium, waggling the Union flag. But four years later, as the London Games drew to a close, I confessed I was wrong. It was a joyous and sometimes eccentric festival, brilliantly staged in city and country alike.

Text and photo by Lars Tharp

On the last Saturday, my wife and I were celebrating our daughters’ birthdays in a restaurant. The atmosphere in Bloomsbury’s Ciao Bella - always lively on a summer evening - was electric. A TV had been mounted on the wall. As the bell for the final lap sounded in the 5,000 metres race, pasta dangled mid-air on forks, and all eyes turned to the screen. “Go, Mo! Go!” we all chanted. And he did.

flowed on board; no mention of recent Anglo-Danish skirmishes in rowing or sailing, nor of 1807 when, after the second Battle of Copenhagen, the Danish king, apoplectic at having his whole fleet confiscated by the English, sent his royal yacht, Lystfregatten Prinds Frederick, over the sea to London along with a note to the effect “Here, you forgot this one…”! (It had been a present from England back in the 1780s.)

Earlier that week, I was privileged to be on board the elegant Danish royal yacht Dannebrog, moored during the Games near Canary Wharf. Named after the Danish Standard (the oldest national flag still in use), she truly flies the flag for Denmark wherever she sails. Wine and conversation

Back on shore, I was asked by a Danish journalist what I thought of the TV coverage of Britain’s performance at the Games: a little too… chauvinistic? I replied that the same could probably be said of many foreign correspondents enthusing in the sound-proofed security of their own

102 | Issue 44 | September 2012

commentary boxes. Surely they’d be serving up equally patriotic soup for those back home? But no one can surely outdo the late Norwegian football commentator Bjørge Lillelien. When his country beat England in the 1981 World Cup, he famously went berserk on air, spluttering out a surreal roll-call of all the English ‘heroes’ he could randomly muster: "…Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, Lady Diana… Maggie Thatcher! Can you hear me?! … Your boys took a Hell of a beating!”

Well, er, OK, the score was 2-1 to Norway, a victory sufficiently rare for Bjørge to trash Britain and all its Greatest. As Dr Johnson observed: “Patriotism - the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

Years later it was Scotland’s turn to beat Norway (again, 2-1). The Scottish Daily Record avenged England with a beautiful spoof on Bjørge, but outrageously were later forced to apologize to humourless

Scan Magazine | Culture | Lars Tharp

puritans (sorry, puritans): the Record had chipped Vidkun Quisling into an hilarious and colourful list of Norwegian celebrities including Edward Munch, Liv Ulman and Monty Python’s Norwegian Blue Cheese…

The 18th century red-blooded Scot, James Boswell, would surely have approved. As would his outspoken travelling companion, Samuel Johnson, who mischievously quipped that: “The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England.”

The Olympic closing ceremony was played out on a stage formed as a massive British Flag, recoloured by shark-artist Damien Hurst. Along with the millions of Union Jack flags fluttering throughout the land, it surely reaffirmed the nation’s sense of being a united kingdom, united in a collective flag of three nations (the superimposed crosses of England, Scotland and Ireland), dating back to 1603. Four hundred years previously, in 1219, during the Battle of Lyndanis (Estonia), according to legend the first Dannebrog descended from the sky, Heaven’s blessing on the

flagging Danish crusaders fighting under Valdemar II. Today visitors to Tallinn’s lovely Church of the Holy Spirit will find the legend recounted next to the latest replacement Dannebrog presented by the Danish state.

staged in stadia draped rank upon rank in swastikas of the Nazi party, were intended to flaunt the Aryan prowess of the Thousand Year Reich. Instead, the talent of a single man punctured all the puffed-up posturing of a state whose national flag had been usurped by the flag of a party.

Yes, flags are important. Our primitive brains instantly recognize the colours of Us and Them, of friend and of foe - as we saw when Olympic officials hoisted the South Korean flag for the North Korean team: two countries at war. Somewhere, perhaps, there are tapes of the North and South Korean commentators filling that hour of suspended play with their double outrage: “I don’t believe it….!” Etc., etc.

Christian August Lorentzen (1749–1828). Dannebrog falls from Heaven

And there are darker flags. That self-styled latter-day Teutonic knight, Adolf Hitler, Übermensch of Scoundrels, was famously snubbed when - Gott im Himmel - a black man, Jesse Owens, won four golds at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Hitler’s Games,

A great September for you…

Let us hope, despite all gaffes, trials and exhaustion, that, whilst here, all 10,960 of our visiting summer Olympians will be able to agree with the Great Doctor’s patriotic maxim: “When a Man is Tired of London he is Tired of Life.”

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Scan Magazine | Culture & Music | Foreign Slippers

Creative folk-pop in foreign shoes As It All Starts Now, the opening track on Foreign Slippers’ debut album Farewell to the Old Ghosts, slowly builds up to an anthemic call-and-response chorus with handclaps and beautiful vocal harmonies, it is difficult not to agree: it all starts now, and who knows where it will end? “If opportunities come, I will take them. It makes me happy, and I feel I have a purpose,” says songstress Gabriella Frödén.

Maybe that is what the Swedish heritage has added to the mix. “Swedes have a dark streak. Perhaps it has something to do with the dark winters and the bright summers: the two extremes might come out in the music made by Swedish people,” says the folk-pop singer who still thinks of Sweden as home, and whose alias refers to the possibility of changing shoes according to who you want to be: “I have put on my foreign shoes in the UK.”

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Foreign Slippers

Hailing from Sweden’s Norrköping, Frödén aka Foreign Slippers is still relatively unknown in her native country despite having been playlisted on the BBC and picked as Album of the Week on Ireland’s Radio 1. London-based for years now, she has collaborated with dance and theatre groups and works with British and Irish musicians.

No wonder, then, that the new album is not unmistakably Swedish, her accent noticeably influenced by Northern Irish drummer and partner Phil Wilkinson, the second track Thank the Moon reminiscent of Feist, and the quieter Dead Inside like something from an old PJ Harvey record. Asked about her influences, however, Frödén says that she is rarely inspired by music. “I don’t listen to music that much. I find that images, people’s experiences or things I read inspire me more. It makes me want to react to it with music.”

104 | Issue 44 | September 2012

don't do anything creative,” says Frödén.

“At times in my life when I haven't been doing art or music I have felt very depressed and pointless.”

As anyone who has ever witnessed the Foreign Slippers live experience knows, she does not react with music alone. From her stage outfits with personally-designed headgear to the children’s books she writes and illustrates and the always handmade record sleeves, there is no limit to Frödén’s creativity. The amazing artwork to Farewell…, which contains illustrated postcards and folds out to create a typewriter-shaped shed, was recently featured in renowned design magazine Creative Review. “I will slowly crumble if I

From catchy up-beat numbers like singalong friendly Avalanche to quieter songs like The Two People in You, where Frödén’s vibrato-laden vocals really come through, the album is certainly packed full of contrast. And throughout it all is a bittersweet, hopeful message of moving on, of bidding farewell to the old ghosts.

“We’re on the right track,” Frödén repeats over and over on the track Old Ghosts, and indeed, so it seems. Put on your Foreign Slippers and enjoy the ride.

For more information, please visit: foreignslippers.wordpress.com

Scan Magazine | Culture & Music | Karl Batterbee

Katzenjammer on tour in the UK They have performed for the NYPD, the Norwegian Embassy in London and bars all over Europe. With a steady and growing UK fan base, Norwegian Katzenjammer returns in October for a tour, and before that for an appearance at the BBC Radio 2 festival in Hyde Park on 9 September.

The story of Katzenjammer began in Oslo in 2004 as Anne Marit Bergheim, Marianne Sveen, Solveig Heilo and Turid Jørgensen met while studying music. With djembe drum, accordion, flute and a mandolin they started making folk songs.

Since then the four instruments have become over fifteen and their sound much more complex.

“Our music is the result of four very different personalities, with very different tastes in music,” Marianne says. “The most important thing for us is to never stop experimenting and playing around with sounds.”

With a mix of pop, bluegrass, Balkan and punk this is not your ordinary pop

Photo: Erik Weiss

band. And there is definitely some fairytale feeling to their unique sound. And the cartoon references don’t end with the band’s Disney and Tim Burton influences.

“We took the name Katzenjammer from an old cartoon from the US - The Katzenjammer Kids. It’s a very famous cartoon strip in Norway that we read every Christmas,” Turid explains. “It’s about two rebel twin brothers that spend all day fooling around, doing what they want and pulling pranks on their captain (Der Kapitän) and their mom. We can relate to the two boys since we also like to do whatever we want and are maybe a bit rebellious, mostly performing and music wise.”

After their sold-out UK tour in May, Scan Magazine asks Marianne what their audience can expect as Katzenjammer returns in October: “We've been told that going to a KJ show is like a journey through your whole register of emotions. We concur.”

For more information, please visit: katznjamr.co.uk

Scandinavian Music because of her age but because of her sound too. Two singles in and we've had the haunting and epic balladry of Slippering Into Sleep, and the delightfully upbeat and catchy Should I. Both worth a listen or ten.

There's an exciting new Swedish talent making appropriate waves at the moment.

Nova Delai, a 17-year-old girl who draws comparisons with Amanda Mair, not just

By Elin Berta | Photos: Mathias Fossum

Swedish House Mafia have officially announced their intentions to disband at the end of 2012 and to go their separate ways.

But not before bestowing one last tune upon us. Don't You Worry Child will be the trio's final single. And suitably, it sees them go out with an almighty bang. It's easily one of the best tracks they've ever done. And it's a farewell cry that will most definitely play out in clubland long after their demise.

Danish champions of happy-pill pop, Alphabeat, have announced the release of

By Karl Batterbee

their long awaited third album on 24 September, Express Non-Stop. Before that though we get new single Love Sea. It's a deliriously joyous call to arms. So very Alphabeat. If that Swedish House Mafia news leaves you saddened, have a listen to this to put the smile back on your face.

One last pop triumph to share this month is the song Raver by Danish act The Storm. A rock band doing a dance song that contains a euphoric melody and production jarring with crushingly hearbreaking lyrics. It's brilliant.

www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com

Issue 44 | September 2012 | 105

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Edvard Munch - Graphic Works from The Gundersen Collection (Until 23 Sept) A spectacular private collection of Munch’s art featuring 50 masterworks on paper. ‘Graphic Works from The Gundersen Collection’ will be complemented with a number of prints by Munch and will give viewers an insight into the working processes and preoccupations of the world-famous Norwegian artist.

Open daily 10am-5pm. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, EH4. www.nationalgalleries.org Helsinki Design Week 2012 (6-16 Sept) Helsinki Design Week brings together the international design community and local artists. The themes of the design festival, which embrace the challenges of being awarded World Design Capital 2012, are created by a new international team. wdchelsinki2012.fi Aida Chehrehgosha in Berlin (7 Sept-13 Oct) In the series ‘To mom, dad and my two brothers’, Swedish photographer Aida Chehrehgosha deals with her experience of growing up in a violent and oppressive

Iran and the frustration her parents took out on her and her siblings. Wed-Sat 12noon-6pm. Swedish Photography, Karl-Marx-Allee 62, 10243 Berlin. www.swedishphotography.org Soprano Helena Juntunen and pianist Eveliina Kytömäki (10 Sept) Young Finnish lyric soprano Juntunen makes her Wigmore Hall debut with works by Schumann, Strauss, Thomas Adès and Sibelius. Wigmore Hall, London, W1U. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk The Soundtrack of Our Lives (13 Sept) Swedish retro rockers T.S.O.O.L return to London with their latest album Throw it to the Universe. Heaven, WC2N, London. web.tsool.net The Hives in Stockholm (21 Sept) Sometimes referred to as one of the best live rock bands in current music, Swedish The Hives are now touring the world with their 2012 album Lex Hives.

Gröna Lund, Lilla Allmänna gränd 9, Stockholm. www.thehivesbroadcastingservice.com Runa Carlsen in Oslo (22 Sept-28 Oct) The project ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ by Runa Carlsen relates to the

artist’s meeting with a group of Palestinian children who visited Norway in the late 1970s. The project takes place in the form of an exhibition at Fotogalleriet accompanied by a series of events during the exhibition period. Tue-Fri 12noon5pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-4pm. Fotogalleriet, Møllergata 34, N-0179 Oslo. www.fotogalleriet.no

Leif Ove Andsnes. Photo: Ozgur Albayrak

September

By Sara Schedin

Esa-Pekka Salonen and Leif Ove Andsnes (27 Sept) Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in Beethoven's Choral Symphony, alongside Beethoven's First Piano Concerto played

by Leif Ove Andsnes and Kurtág's Beethoven-inspired Quasi una Fantasia.

The Southbank Centre, London, SE1. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

The Hives. Photo: Annika Berglund

106 | Issue 44 | September 2012

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