![Wooden block for seating in airport terminal building in Oslo. Designed by Jonas Stokke](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/8ece2e56758760ef1a640d1c914385de589853fc-2000x1353.jpg?auto=format&fit=crop&fp-x=0.503&fp-y=0.5&h=1318&q=80&rect=7,0,1993,1318&w=1948)
Gateway to Scandinavia
Nordic Office of Architecture, the architects behind the extension of the terminal in Oslo asked if we could design alternative seating. Traveling can be a stressful experience for many people and research shows that the field of vision shrinks, when we are in transit. With these alternative seating objects, the goal was to introduce a solid piece of wood, to give a tactile experience to the traveler. The unusual seating positions also mean that you can find yourself with your feet dangling, like you are sitting on a pier or a ledge in the mountains. In addition to the alternative seating we also designed a series of small islands, for work or relaxation. The islands were shielded off by upholstered walls and wooden structures to shield the traveler and provide some sense of ease and comfort.
![Gateway to Scandinavia designed by Jonas Stokke, wooden benches inspired by stones, alternative seating for an airport, child playing](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/8730dc5ca59f6478061133e3b8590c2ee9e8fe8a-1280x1706.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=80&w=1280)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/d959c1eea74d422d0afb2900809ad56d5511f3c2-3088x2056.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=80&w=1250)
Card models testing sizes and realtionships. One challenge in an airport environment is that every object must be "bouldered off" protecting installations and furniture form heavy duty cleaning and maintenance machines.
![Gateway to Scandinavia designed by Jonas Stokke, wooden benches inspired by stones, alternative seating for an airport](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/bd369f0d4c274caf067f52dc9cded2f9b71ec1fb-1600x2133.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=80&w=1600)
![Gateway to Scandinavia designed by Jonas Stokke, wooden benches inspired by stones, alternative seating for an airport](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/5ac27a6feb4fa70825ddfa53fd86eb6aee984b1a-3456x4608.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=80&w=2500)
![Gateway to Scandinavia designed by Jonas Stokke, wooden benches inspired by stones, alternative seating for an airport](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/8ece2e56758760ef1a640d1c914385de589853fc-2000x1353.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=80&w=2000)
![resting zone in the airport](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/5603c4ac8eb9c989b2c96b0705cb9d3c3f57a2d3-4608x3456.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=80&w=1250)
![work stations in the airport](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/4an9stf8/production/0c96d2b214da1bbecbb48f818c874c042cae8000-4608x3456.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=80&w=1250)
- Year: 2017
- Manufacturer: Bosvik
- Collaborators: Øystein Austad
- Materials: Fingerglued solid oak, steel, aluminium, polypropylene, lacquer, carpet
- Assistants: Nina Havermans