Jonas Stokke

Red outdoor Bench designed in steel, two peopleple chatting, autumn scene

Munch bench

Our main hypothesis was that just because you are in a museum you should not have to be uncomfortable. The Munch museum is organised vertically so as a visitor you can take breaks between the different parts of the museum. Our benches would then function as a resting place in between the art experiences. The Munch bench began as an international competition. Management at the museum did not want the benches to be part of the interior tender. IO applied for this prestigious opportunity with friend and colleague Andreas Engesvik. The competition was based on portfolio and motivation, no sketch proposals. In the final interview round with Juan Herreros, the architect, and the museum's top management, we were asked what distinguished Munch museum, from one of Turner, Goia, or any other defining figure. We uttered something about the freedom and wildness, and the lightness of Munch´s work. Together with our portfolios, we must have done something right, because we won, beating a roster of top international designers and architects. It was designed together with Andreas Engesvik for the opening of the new museum for the Norwegian modernist master.

Lighting at Flesland Bergen Airport designed by Jonas Stokke

Custom lighting, Bergen

We had collaborated with Nordic Office of Architecture on several projects so when they asked for input on their industrial design, we were eager to respond to the challenge. Our job was to design a solution using extruded aluminum pieces to ensure a sound structural solution with clean aesthetics. Since the lighting spans 17 meters we contemplated having the aluminum parts delivered by ship, but that proved unnecessary. SM Lys were responsible for the lighting engineering and Nordic already had the concept design ready.

About the studio

Jonas Stokke’s design studio was established in 2016, in Oslo Norway. The studio’s work is characterized by a harmonious blend of technical prowess and aesthetic sensibility, resulting in work that are both functional and with a strong visual hook.

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