Snorre Stinessen

Specialized in Architecture Design.

Snorre Stinessen

About Snorre Stinessen

Stinessen Arkitektur is a small practice located in Tromsø, Northern Norway that have distinguished themselves with award winning projects that are focused on unique designs to meet the requirements of the Client as well as answering to the surrounding landscape/cityscape and it´s inherent challenges and qualities. The studio works on all aspects of the design from the building itself to landscaping, interior design and furniture design - with a holistic approach to all projects. Current projects range from apartment buildings to hotels and resorts, villas, cabins, product design, office and alpine skiing resort.

  • Winner of 2 A' Design Awards.
  • Specialized in Architecture Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Architecture
Lyngen Aurora Chalet

Lyngen Aurora Chalet

Architecture Design

Narvik Top Station Gondola

Narvik Top Station Gondola

Architecture Design

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Interview with Snorre Stinessen

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
My education is architecture and industrial design from Norway and Italy. I did not really have a set goal or even a clear understanding of architecture and design when I started my education, actually perhaps just recently ;-) I have also done completely different work in my career, which at the end truly made me appreciate the fantastic privilege it is for me to be an architect.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
It is originally a one man studio, but I now have a very talented assistant working from Italy. We undertake various kind of projects, but always with the philosophy of close interaction with the customer and a search for a strong conceptual idea which answers to both the clients need/scope and the site/surroundings.
What is "design" for you?
Design to me is perhaps an individual or unique approach to both understanding and answering to a task, problem, product etc.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Comprehensive projects where I am involved throughout the design process. in terms of a building that is both interiors and exteriors and sometimes even furniture. Large or small is not important.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
In product design Apple is an easy choice because they have been so design driven and focused - and partly by that so far ahead of its competitors. Now we see how an entire industry has followed. But, for me personally the architectural works of Sverre Fehn was an early inspiration.
When do you feel the most creative?
I try very hard not to be fall into routine, because I strongly believe intuition is important to find a comprehensive and interesting approach to my conceptual ideas. So, I guess anytime me and my subconsciousness is ready :-)
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I guess the same as anybody else; joy, frustration, joy, frustration, more frustration etc. But, I just love it when I feel I am on the right track - that´s a good a drug as anything!
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
If the end-result is as envisaged it is certainly a sense of completion; reaching the end of a long journey. But, as we don´t control everything to the end result there are certainly also often some mixed feelings.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I try not to judge others work. I know what I like, but that is also a personal thing.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Certainly trying to do your best work on every project. By that I also mean you need to be personally involved.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Difficult question as I also feel we should be careful to over-design everything, at least just for the sake of design. Nature is the best designer we have and it seems like there is a growing movement of including sustainable solutions, materials and even nature itself in both architecture and design. Hopefully that can continue as a guideline without trying to manipulate nature too much.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
I was fortunate to have two projects exhibited at Biennale di Venezia last year.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
My sources of inspiration may be many and varied, but specifically it should be site and customer/scope when designing a building.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Northern Norway, small town called Tromsø, and the closeness to nature and sometimes harsh weather conditions have certainly affected my thinking.
How do you work with companies?
I am a strong believer of communication, listening and during the development of the process also discussing and agreeing on the way ahead.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
My main advice would be the same as I would give myself - trusting your designer (or in my case the client); not blindly of course, but in a manner that you try to understand and appreciate the rationale behind their design or critique.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
My process is most often one of trying to understand my customer or the scope as best as I can, and understanding the site if applicable; before I do allow myself to have too many ideas of the design itself. The goal is to find a comprehensive conceptual idea that me and my customer can agree upon. During the project development dialogue is important both to test what you are doing and also to make your customer feel at home with what you are developing.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Our water cooker by Frank Gehry, our B20 kitchen by Bulthaup, my tea cup found in Rome, my espresso cup from Tazza d´oro and
Can you describe a day in your life?
I try to keep my days as flexile as I can - also because we are a family of five and we all enjoy our time together. But, I too have office time, after which I shop for dinner and perhaps some wine, make dinner which we all enjoy together (often quite late by Norwegian standards to ensure all of us actually can come to dinner) and then I often work in the evenings as well. Work is certainly a large part of my life, but only because I enjoy it so much and have lots of interesting projects.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Try to find yourself and your own "language". It is the uniqueness of the individual approach that gives us great new ways of thinking and understanding. But, I also believe in studying and a respect and interest for what has been done by others, but from very old times and now in our time.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Mostly just positives, but I guess that is also my general approach to life ;-)
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Pen and paper. My approach to software is very basic. I use VectorWorks as a software.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
That varies with the complexity of the task and many other factors.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Many very interesting projects from small to fairly large scale. One of the most exciting is an entire alpine destination and resort in Narvik.

Designer of the Day Interview with Snorre Stinessen

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

Extended Interview with Snorre Stinessen

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I was educated as architect in Norway and Milan and started my own practice in 2005.
How did you become a designer?
I did not have a clear goal of becoming a designer or an architect, but have always had an open mind and positive attitude towards both possibilities and challenges. I have for a few years also worked at the same time in a very different business and today that has given me the insight of truly appreciating every day I have the fortune of working as an architect.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
It has indeed been a choice, although not always a very focused choice, definitely my own choice.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Architecture with the design of buildings and building environments - both small scale and larger developments. Regardless of size I believe strongly in the importance of planning both the interior and exterior of a building as a comprehensive process. I also do interior and even furniture design - both custom made for specific projects and for production.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Follow your own heart and your own ideas - that´s the only way to express who you really are as a designer or architect. Of course you need to learn and listen to experience, you need to study and you need to work hard; but you should always try to preserve the essence of yourself and your own approach to design.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A great design has relevance and depth beyond just eye-catching shape or design and a great designer in my opinion works hard to realise their ideas because they believe in them.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A really good design, in my opinion, give you a good stomach feeling.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design is well considered and a meaningful answer to a function or a desired expression. It may enhance the experience not just of the object or graphics designed, but also the very elements the design is made for.
What is your day to day look like?
If I had the opportunity I would love to design for children, objects or even schools, because I believe there is so much learning and inspiration to be given with an interesting and comprehensive design approach.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
That would be designing a school where you work with talented teachers to create a comprehensive platform for teaching, learning, inspiring and social interaction with design as an integrated tool in all aspects. Just think of all the elements you can utilise and play with - how opening a door to a class room can be part of teaching and understanding mathematics, the room itself can give an actual understanding of the theoretics you are studying, etc, etc..
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I believe in finding a strong conceptual idea that sits well with your stomach feeling (i.e. also subconsciously, not just analytically) and then build it stronger and not diluting it through the design process.

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