Restaurang ÄNG in Sweden by Norm Architects.

Sitting as a solitary diamond in the undulating fields of Ästad Vingård—one of Sweden’s largest vineyards—Restaurang ÄNG is a culinary experience out of the ordinary that engages all senses. The partly underground restaurant in the middle of the lush field is designed by Norm Architects and furnished by Japanese furniture brand Karimoku to create a stimulating interplay between architecture, food, wine, interiors, and art.

Taking its name from the surrounding meadows, the new ÄNG explores both the surface and the deeper parts of the Swedish landscape. A glasshouse stands as a modern and refined interpretation of a greenhouse turned inside out. With the iron structure on the inside, it stands like a prism in the middle of the field; sharp and smooth, mirroring the surroundings.

Inside is an open kitchen with a grounding stone counter and bespoke artworks with flowing forms. Solid wood furniture with soft upholstery by Karimoku is the focal point of the lounge, paired with seven organic wooden and stone sculptures made bespoke by the talented Norwegian artist, Anders Pfeffer Gjengedal (Løvfall). With inspiration from years in the world of ballet, he works with the sense of form in collaboration with architects and designers alike, turning natural wood and stone into sensual and expressive sculptures.

To emphasize ÄNG’s strong connection with nature, parts of the curated collection are made from green wood—an ancient woodworking method that creates natural silhouettes and raw textures perfect for this atmosphere. The selected natural materials, such as pure oak for the bespoke furniture items and the elegant stone flooring, have been slightly refined or processed to make them more delicate.

A hidden elevator leads guests underground into a dark catacomb-like wine cellar with a subdued feeling. “With the changing of light, we play on the phenomenon of Chiaroscuro; a technique from visual arts used to represent light and shadow as they define objects in order to achieve a sense of volume.” Explains Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects. “When stepping into the shadows, the vision weakens while the remaining senses intensify. One automatically pays more attention to sounds, smells, tastes and touch and even intuition and instinct are strengthened. This way, the surprising transition and changing of scenery prepare the guests for the next part of the holistic dinner experience.”

To emphasize the transitions from one atmosphere to another, the tiles cut like a brick floor, fostering the cave-like feeling of the wine cellar, clashing with the wooden floor from Danish Dinesen in the main dining room with floor-to-ceiling views of a natural lake and the rich fauna surrounding it—the scene is light again.

Filled with curated sculptures, artworks and ceramics by Viki Weiland, Sara Martinsen and Ulla Bang, a personal and warm atmosphere envelops the restaurant—creating a strong coherence between food, art, design and architecture.

The Audo Hybrid Space in Copenhagen Designed by Norm Architects.

Housed in a 1918 former merchant house in the harbourside district of Nordhavnen, the Audo is a 'living gallery' concept store where everything is for sale.

[Images courtesy of Norm Architects. Photography by Jonas Bjerre Poulsen.]