Reflections with Norm Architects

JOURNEY

Reflections with Norm Architects

With the debut of the Ridge Sofa, Wendelbo welcomes a new collaboration with Copenhagen-based Norm Architects - a studio known for its quietly powerful aesthetic and human-centred approach. Rooted in a philosophy of soft minimalism, Norm’s work balances structure and sensitivity, exploring how design can support well-being and resonate on a deeper emotional level.

In this conversation, the studio shares their reflections on the subtle gestures behind the Ridge Sofa - how a single flange edge can define character, how intuition guides the design process, and how restraint can become an act of care. They speak to the enduring value of natural materials, the importance of emotional durability, and what it means to create something lasting in a world of constant change.

With the Ridge Sofa, a flange edge along the top becomes a defining gesture. As a studio, how do you approach these subtle but intentional design decisions?

With the Ridge Sofa, the decision to highlight a single flange edge detail was not decorative but deliberate: a gesture of restraint that speaks volumes through subtlety. This quiet line traces the form, reinforcing structure while lending a tactile quality that invites the hand and pleases the eye.

As a studio, we believe that simplicity is not the absence of design but the result of careful consideration. We edit with intention, subtracting until only what is meaningful remains. Each line, material choice, and proportion are weighed not only for its function, but for the emotional and atmospheric resonance it may carry. The flange edge on the Ridge Sofa becomes a quiet signature – a moment of expression in an otherwise calm composition. These gestures emerge through a process of considering materials, context, functionality, and the human experience. We ask ourselves what can be removed without losing meaning, and what must stay to preserve character and joy.

What appears effortless is often the product of hours of scrutiny, and what feels calming is the outcome of order, balance, and devotion to detail.

"This quiet line traces the form, reinforcing structure while lending a tactile quality that invites the hand and pleases the eye."

With the Ridge Sofa, a flange edge along the top becomes a defining gesture. As a studio, how do you approach these subtle but intentional design decisions?

With the Ridge Sofa, the decision to highlight a single flange edge detail was not decorative but deliberate: a gesture of restraint that speaks volumes through subtlety. This quiet line traces the form, reinforcing structure while lending a tactile quality that invites the hand and pleases the eye.

As a studio, we believe that simplicity is not the absence of design but the result of careful consideration. We edit with intention, subtracting until only what is meaningful remains. Each line, material choice, and proportion are weighed not only for its function, but for the emotional and atmospheric resonance it may carry. The flange edge on the Ridge Sofa becomes a quiet signature – a moment of expression in an otherwise calm composition. These gestures emerge through a process of considering materials, context, functionality, and the human experience. We ask ourselves what can be removed without losing meaning, and what must stay to preserve character and joy.

What appears effortless is often the product of hours of scrutiny, and what feels calming is the outcome of order, balance, and devotion to detail.

"We aim to design things that won't feel outdated next season, but instead become more beautiful with use, more personal with time."

In a world of constant change, how do you create designs that invite calm and longevity?

For us, modern design is rooted in nature’s timeless wisdom. Despite urbanisation, humans remain deeply connected to natural rhythms, materials, and forms. We design to restore this bond, creating calm, healthy spaces that nurture body and mind. Natural materials like wood, stone, and wool bring warmth, texture, and patina, ageing gracefully with us over time. Organic shapes invite relaxation and echo our evolutionary preferences, making spaces feel safe and familiar. By embracing nature’s cycles – growth, decay, and renewal – we design sustainably, allowing environments to evolve rather than resist change. This approach supports both longevity and ecological responsibility. Ultimately, our modern design balances heritage and innovation, offering spaces that feel alive, effortless, and deeply human – bringing nature back into our daily lives.

JOURNEY