Hands On: Folk+Form by Snøhetta, Norway

Opinion by Richard Baird

Vestre is a Norwegian, family owned and run, urban furniture design and manufacturing business founded in 1947 by Johs. Vestre. Although Vestre’s catalogue is extensive and diverse, it typically features colourful detailing and modern forms, holds true to the founder’s vision of designing and manufacturing for longevity, and has a social and sustainable-dimension.

Snøhetta, who previously worked with Vestre on the development of a new production facility in 2013, and were involved in the refurbishment of their headquarters and showroom in 2017, continue to collaborate with the manufacturer, this time on Folk+Form. Folk+Form is an exhibition and two-volume book that brings to life the Vestre family legacy and coincides with the company’s 70th anniversary.

Through exhibited work, art pieces, film, text and photography, presented across exhibition and book, Folk+Form pays tribute to the design and manufacturing of Vestre, and its continued commitment to making high quality, sustainability and accessible urban furniture for national and international markets.

In the second of an ongoing series, which follows Rain, Gravity, Heat, Cold by Blok, BP&O takes a hands on look at Folk+Form. This post intends to augment the initial impressions given by Snøhetta’s press release and promotional images, reviewed here.

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