Interview with Snorre Stinessen

Snorre Stinessen ("SS") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

SS : I was educated as an architect in Norway and Italy, graduating in 1999. However, did other work as well for quite a few years before starting Stinessen Arkitektur in 2013, but I have always been fortunate to have been contacted by clients with some very interesting projects.

How did you become a designer?

SS : The choice of education was perhaps a bit by chance, but certainly by heart, in as much as I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do at that time. After graduating I also had some years where my main work was something else entirely. Today, however I feel I fully understand the privilege I have being a designer and architect and that is something I cherish every day.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

SS : For every design I start by gathering as much information about all the elements that need to be taken into account and then try to understand them in a manner that enables me to come up with a conceptual design or idea that is not only analytical, but is also about gut feeling or subconsciousness. The next step is to discuss the conceptual design with my client - where the goal always is to agree that we are on the right path. If I can not convince my client of the first idea it should be reviewed again.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

SS : I guess most will describe a design process as a bit of a roller coaster and of course it is. To me seeing the end result is rewarding if it really turns out as planned, but the most exciting part is the initial idea phase. All the phases in between are full of ups and downs, but fortunately for me I am mostly a very happy designer.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

SS : This is a difficult question, but I believe in trusting your gut feeling. The ability to keep calm under stress is probably also useful and probably enables me to focus more on the task at hand at any stage in the process.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

SS : To me the dream project is most likely my next new assignment - regardless of size, location or use. My main goal as an architect and designer would be to do as good a job as I can on any project.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

SS : Trust your instincts and believe in yourself - that is after all what makes you special and who knows that may be exactly what leads us into the future. For most there will be time needed to actually learn the trade and my best advice would be to actually be willing to learn and understand. Soak up as much as you can along your way, but do not let it get in the way of who you are.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

SS : To me design is a personal profession and process. The variety of personalities and approaches to good design is what makes it interesting, however I feel we should all remember to be humble in front of each new project or task we are presented with. Listen to our clients and to our surroundings and respect the nature.

What is your day to day look like?

SS : I do not have too many routines apart from daily family life and try to keep it that way. Flexibility and new angles gives inspiration.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

SS : I find myself looking more backwards into history and trying to follow what others are doing. There is so much knowledge in history that is often overlooked or forgotten. Knowledge and experience that is lacking in many projects today.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

SS : Good design can be understood from so many different perspectives and individual approaches to it, but to me I guess thoughtfulness and care is part of it. There is also the famous x-factor to the best design.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

SS : To me the design, the conceptual design, needs to respond well to my gut feeling and all the choices of the continued design process needs to adhere to the conceptual design. At some stage you should restrain from over-designing, but to find that spot is of course very difficult, but a strong conceptual idea should also be able to absorb some things left to chance.

What is your biggest design work?

SS : I guess Manshausen Island Resort probably is the project I have spent most time working on and at the same time been able to work on all details of the design from site planning to buildings to interiors and furniture. The key to success was the team we were able to put together who all had the same goal in mind. Although a larger project, I feel Narvik Arctic Resort that we are currently working has the same energy from all parties involved that should make it a very interesting project at the end.

Who is your favourite designer?

SS : There are many great architects out there, but I guess Sverre Fehn is one of my biggest sources of inspiration. However there are of course many others.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

SS : I live in Northern Norway, well above the arctic circle, and I guess the exposure and respect we have to nature living here also reflects in my designs. I travel quite a lot, either for work or with my family and love the inspiration from other places. Currently we are working on projects in several countries and to me it is a gift to be able to work in different cultures and with different kinds of people.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

SS : My experience has shown me what a true privilege it is to be an architect and designer. We are a very small studio with me in the office here in Tromsø while my assistant lives in Italy. This arrangement is partly by chance, but I am very conscious about retaining my freedom to work closely with all the projects we take on and the freedom to do what I actually love to do - design.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

SS : The A´Design Award is a potential great recognition on the work we are doing and good feedback is always welcome! It has also been a fantastic opportunity for exposure of our projects and a great window to the outside world. Receiving an award is not only good for the confidence in what we are doing, but it also gives you a sense of responsibility to do your best on all projects.

Snorre Stinessen Profile