Johannes Norlander: Natural Minimalism

(adam štěch) The Alta house looks rather improper in the Swedish forest landscape. It really hits you between the eyes. Looking at its purely white façade, one feels as if the forest all around had been completely erased. However, this may be why the Alta house fits into its surroundings in a very interesting way.

The house was designed by the architect and designer Johannes Norlander, whose projects link up to the best examples of Scandinavian design. Simple and fresh forms of a humane type combine with the static white minimalism. Johannes Norlander has designed several significant pieces for several iconic labels, for instance the Cano office system for the Japanese label EandY and a few pieces for the Swedish furniture brand Nola, including the most remarkable piece - the very light Kyparn stacking chair with thin round arm rests.
Recently, Norlander has focused on architecture in which he applies the learned designer language on a larger scale. The snow-white color that features in all his projects is the key element. The Alta house that was constructed in 2007 is his most interesting architectural design thus far. Located in the heart of nature close to Stockholm, its strict white minimalism contrasts with the green, juicy landscape. The compact, cranked rectangle features several big and small windows, as well as a glassed section on the ground floor that lets nature into the interior of the house. The interior is a seamless \\\"corridor-like\\\" space furnished with the most essential and simplest pieces. There is furniture designed by Norlander himself and chairs by Enzo Mari.
The house is like a white apparition in the landscape. In the world of architecture, it is an example of the purest and pleasant minimalism that does not play at anything, giving a very natural impression.

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