Design Diplomacy, an invitation from the ambassador
For the fifth time at DesignMarch, local ambassadors are inviting designers from their home countries to pair with Icelandic creatives over a common theme. They will be opening the doors of their residences to host a series of intimate discussions in “living room” settings, offering you a unique opportunity to meet the designers and get inspired. Thie yeas the amabassadors of Norway, FInnland and the United States invitie you to their residencies for a toast and a interesteing and unexpected conversation of versitile designers.
Design Diplomacy is powered by Helsinki Design Week, the concept owner. Question cards are used in a tailored game to power a design-centric discussion. With an unusual set of questions, the events are set to explore designers’ inspirations, daily routines and work processes.
Please note that it's neccesary to register for the events. Registration for Design Diplomacy X USA has closed.
Ambassador Anu Irene Laamanen has invited designers Miia-Liina Tommila (USA) and Arnhildur Pálmadóttir (IS) to her residence in Iceland, hosting an afternoon of design centered conversations on Thursday May 4th from 12 - 2 PM.
Miia-Liina Tommila (FI) is a versatile Finnish architect and urban planner, whose architectural practice unfolds through her Helsinki-based office Tommila Architects and the Bergen-based Norwegian-Finnish office Kaleidoscope as well as the architectural group Nordic Works Collective. Miia-Liina’s specialties include large and multidisciplinary architectural projects with user-centered processes as well as participatory urban design and future visions. Currently Miia-Liina is focusing on developing circular design strategies and promoting increased use of bio-based materials in architecture.
Arnhildur Pálmadóttir (IS), architect, has an entrepreneurial attitude and an interdisciplinary interest that she uses to tackle both conventional and speculative projects from various perspectives. Arnhildur has written articles and texts related to innovation, technology and sustainability in design and construction as well as giving lectures on the subject. She is also involved in part-time teaching in the design department at the Iceland Academy of the Arts. In addition to working on speculative projects as sap arkitektar, Arnhildur is now running the Icelandic branch of the danish architecture and innovation company Lendager, which specializes in sustainability and circularity in construction.Anu Irene Laamanen, sendiherra Finnlands á Íslandi, býður arkitektnunum Miia-Liina Tommila (FI) og Arnhildi Pálmadóttur (IS) til sín í finnska sendiherrabústaðnum til að eiga áhugavert og óvænt samtal um hönnun, fimmtudaginn 4. maí frá kl. 12:00 - 14:00.
The Finish ambassador's residencie in Iceland is at Hagamel 4, 107 Reykjavík. Register HERE.
Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim has invited Jørgen Tengesdal (NO) and Hafsteinn Júlíusson (IS) to her residence in Iceland, hosting an afternoon of design centered conversations on Friday 5th May from 12 - 2PM.
Hafsteinn Júlíusson (IS) is an interior and industrial designer and co-founder of HAF STUDIO. HAF STUDIO is a design studio undertaking diverse projects for companies and individuals. Their designs range from the interior design of restaurants, shops, and residents. Recently, numerous products have been developed and are for sale in HAF STORE, located on the studio's ground floor by the old Reykjavik harbor.
Jørgen Tengesdal (NO) used to play football professionally with Viking FK in Stavanger – along with many Icelandic players. He is one of the founders of Eikund which aims to export Norwegian design classics. Eikund was established in the spring of 2016, and has since then gathered the best of Norwegian furniture design from the 1950s and 60s under one brand. This is a result of a treasure hunt that gives old icons from the Norwegian design legacy a new life. Eikund’s collection of Norwegian mid-century design features iconic works by renowned masters such as Fredrik A. Kayser, Torbjørn Afdal, Sigurd Resell, Sven Ivar Dysthe, Torbjørn Bekken and Arne Tjomsland. Quality requirements for high-end furniture makes the company both sustainable and viable. The company prefers to produce furniture designed to last, rather than something short lived and part of a planned obsolescence society. Vest.is is Eikund’s Icelandic dealer.
Jørgen Tengesdal (NO) var í atvinnumennsku í fótbolta, m.a. með Viking FK í Stafangri þar sem hann spilaði með mörgum íslenskum fótboltamönnum. Hann er einn af stofnendum fyrirtækisins Eikund sem hefur það að markmiði að endurframleiða klassískar norskar hönnunarvörur og selja erlendis. Eikund var stofnað árið 2016 og hefur síðan þá framleitt fjölda af norskum hönnunarklassíkum frá sjötta og sjöunda áratugnum. Eikund hefur framleitt vörur eftir marga af frægustu hönnuðum Noregs og má þar m.a. nefna Fredrik A. Kayser, Torbjørn Afdal, Sigurd Resell, Sven Ivar Dysthe, Torbjørn Bekken og Arne Tjomsland. Eikund hefur það að markmiði að framleiða vörur sem endast og gerir miklar kröfur um gæði húsgagnanna. Það eykur einnig sjálfbærni þeirra. Vest.is er sölualiði Eikund á Íslandi.
The Norweigian Embassy in Iceland is located on Fjólugata 17, 101 Reykjavík. Register HERE.
Ambassador Carrin Patman has invited designers Michael Hendrix (USA) and Búi Aðalsteinsson (IS) to her residence of the US ambassador in Iceland, hosting an afternoon of design centered conversations on Thursday May 4th from 3 - 4:30PM
Michael Hendrix (USA) is a Partner and Global Design Director at design and innovation consultancy IDEO, where he has worked on everything from home goods to homeland security. Concurrently, Michael has been an Assistant Professor of Business Management at Berklee College of Music. His first book, "Two Beats Ahead: What Musical Minds Teach Us About Innovation," coauthored with Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), explores the shared mindsets of musicians and designers as they apply to entrepreneurial pursuits. The book, featuring interviews and stories from Pharrell, Björk, T Bone Burnett.
Búi Aðalsteinsson (IS) is a social designer and the digital leader of the service and innovation department at Reykjavik City. He has also been running Grallaragerðin design studio as well as teaching at the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Búi has emphasized community and environment in his projects. Among other things, he has been involved in creative projects within Icelandic prisons, improving plant relationships, mapping the arrival of refugee children in Iceland, improving the use of vegetable waste products in Iceland, and utilizing insects in food production.
The embassy of the United States of America in Iceland is located at Engjateigur 7, 105 Reykjavík. Registration for Design Diplomacy X USA has closed.
