27th February 2018

Norwegian Presence: DOGA

Each year, three Norwegian institutions – Klubben, DOGA and Norwegian Crafts – join forces to present a showcase of Norwegian design at Milan Design Week.

The 2018 offering, Norwegian Presence, will celebrate every element of Norway’s rich and vibrant making community. The exhibition will present sustainably-made products, designed to enrich homes and enhance lives, alongside objects that blend ancient making traditions with modern technologies to explore new methods and material combinations.

The Design and Architecture Norway (DOGA) has been part of the exhibition’s curatorial team since 2016. Based in Oslo, the organisation is passionate about showcasing Norwegian design to an international audience. “Design in Norway is at a very high level and can compete in an international market,” says Tor Inge, the organisation’s CEO. “The exhibition in Milan has matured from presenting Norwegian design as up-and-coming to it taking a pronounced position in the world's most important design event.”

Structure, Milan 2016, styled by Kråkvik & D'Orazio, photography by Siren Lauvdal.

DOGA was formed by merging the Foundation for Design and Architecture in Norway with the Norwegian Design Council. Today it explores and promotes the ways in which architecture and design can be harnessed to the benefit of society as a whole. “These two disciplines are very much alike, especially in their human-centred, holistic approach,” says Tor Inge. “By focusing on the user’s needs, designers and architects hold the key to solving the increasingly complex challenges currently facing society.”

One of DOGA’s key ambitions is to “strengthen the role of design and architecture in shaping the Norway of tomorrow.” But what does the Norway of tomorrow look like?

“Norway has to prepare, not only for a future without the wealth that oil has previously brought us but also for the rapid material downsizing and decrease in consumption which is necessary all over the world. Circular and sharing economy and collaborative consumption will be crucial for tomorrow's way of life. In short, we need to do things in a different way in the future, than we do today.”

Everything Is Connected, Milan 2017, photography by Lasse Fløde and set design Kråkvik & D'Orazio

“Our public sector is facing the same challenges as every other modern society: digitalisation, an ageing population, greater expectations and an increasing demand for efficiency. Today, more than 80 percent of Norway’s population lives within cities or urban areas. As the population increases, there is no reason to expect any decrease in the demand for urban solutions. We will have to live in more confined spaces – therefore seeking alternative solutions – and move and travel differently.”

“DOGA wants the Norway of today to use design and architecture to face these challenges by creating economic, social, environmental and sustainable opportunities, and to prepare the private and public sector for the pretty massive change to come. A human-centric approach will be crucial.”

Want to hear more about Norwegian Presence? Head over to our client page.