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Nova

Dynamic environment for future entrepreneurs
Interior Design
Education
Client: Örebroporten Fastigheter AB, Handelshögskolan i Örebro
Location: Örebro
Years of commission: 2013-2015
Type of project: University
Competences: Interior Design

An Nova environment for innovative activities

In the autumn of 2015, Örebro University opened the House of Nova, a building that brings together the Business School and several innovative initiatives. Drivhuset, Inkubera, Entreprenörskapsforum, and the student section Sesam all operate within its walls. We designed the interior, while Juul & Frost created the building’s architecture.

Nova
Photo: Felix Gerlach

The task included programming, consulting, and layout analysis, along with designing and engineering fixed, mobile, and custom interiors. Every step required careful planning and coordination. To achieve the best results, designers worked closely with the university and building architects. Through a series of workshops, field visits, and presentations, they refined every detail and ensured a seamless process.

“Making a difference”

We designed the interior environments to be innovative, dynamic, and highly functional. The concept was shaped by the building’s architecture and the Business School’s guiding principles: “Research driven,” “In close interaction,” and “Making a difference.” The premises include a variety of spaces. Reading lounges, open study areas, and green rooms create inviting learning environments. Small intimate spaces, offices, and research rooms support focused work. Workshops, seminar rooms, and study areas encourage collaboration. Open meeting rooms, conference rooms, and cafés offer natural gathering points. Kitchens, forums, a foyer, and an auditorium with seating for over 500 people complete the space.

 

Organic forms and specially designed products enrich

The interior design with alternately coloured organic forms with softly rounded corners, sometimes stripped graphic clarity, enriches and complements the building’s architectural character with distinct angles and height differences, and raw materials such as concrete, glass and steel. Function and spatiality are clarified and the line between in and out is dissolved.

Nova
Photo: Felix Gerlach

Sofas, tables, and light fixtures were designed specifically for Novahuset. Each element adapts to the surroundings while meeting the university’s functional needs. Flexibility and usability guided the design process. One standout piece is the Miso lighting series, created for Blond. Like mushrooms, these fixtures appear in different sizes and functions, seamlessly blending into the space. They not only provide lighting but also enhance the atmosphere. Both floor and table models feature built-in electricity, hardwiring, and USB connections. This smart integration has been highly appreciated by students and staff, making everyday life on campus more convenient.

Award winning iconic building

Novahuset won Örebro’s construction award for 2015. As a result, it quickly became a local landmark and a key attraction for the university.

Contact person

Kristina Jonasson

Studio Manager Interior Design
+46 708 23 14 33

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Boquería

Southern European atmosphere in Stockholm
Boquería
Interior Design
Restaurants
Client: Vassa Eggen
Location: Mood Stockholm
Year of commission: 2012
Type of project: Restaurant
Collaborative partners: Kökspennan, KS Projekt, Oscar Liedgren Studio
Areas of expertise: Interior Design, Hotel & Restaurant

In March 2012, the doors opened to Boquería, our restaurant and meeting place in the recently completed MOOD mall. Based on the key words social, honest and warmth, we have created two lively environments where the southern European – primarily Spanish – kitchen has been allowed to inspire the design.

Under the glass roof in the Square, hundreds of people meet every day to enjoy anything from breakfast and lunch to pintxos, cava and music at night. Inside the noisy restaurant, competition for the many tables, warm atmosphere and fantastic food is always fierce. At Boquería, the culinary experiences, the interior design and the atmosphere coexist in an easy harmony.

Boquería
Boquería
Boquería

Relaxed atmosphere and an open kitchen

The two rooms are connected through form and materials but differ when it comes to expression. In the square, we have worked on generating a vibrant indoor market feel, while the restaurant offers a more intimate atmosphere where you can see the chefs at work in the open kitchen. The two spaces together offer balance and choice. Choose the environment you fancy – today. Almost all tables are at standing height with high chairs and sofas, creating a nice and relaxed atmosphere inviting to spontaneous chats between guests. Why not move between the tables or impulsively join the group next to you?

The beautiful A-series chairs have already become Tengbom classics.

More beautiful with age

Every material tells a story, just like the spaces themselves. Stone, ceramics, wood, leather, and various metals — each chosen for its durability and beauty.

With time, they develop a rich patina that deepens the connection to their surroundings. The balance between rough and refined was key, allowing hard materials to feel soft, warm, and inviting.

Attention to detail runs through every part of the design. Trusses, steel columns, light fixtures, and towel racks, all carefully crafted to fit the whole. Even the bar stools carry our signature, designed as part of the A-series for SA Möbler. These elegant chairs, with or without a backrest, have already become a true Tengbom classic.

Contact person

Kristina Jonasson

Studio Manager Interior Design
+46 708 23 14 33

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Waldemarsudde

The legacy of Prince Eugen
Waldemarsudde 2015
Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Interior Design, Landscape
Accessibility, Building Preservation & Restoration, Culture, Heritage Expertise, Renovation & Transformation, Residential environments
Client: The National Property Board of Sweden
Location: Djurgården, Stockholm
Years of commission: 2013–2015
Type of project: House architect
Collaborative partners: LEB, Tyréns, Projektel, Brandskyddslaget
Areas of expertise: Heritage, Landscape

Waldemarsudde is a unique environment filled with great experiences. It has beautiful countryside, fascinating historical buildings and fantastic art. Waldemarsudde is primarily associated with Prince Eugen – botanist, landscape painter and art collector – who lived here in the early 1900s.

The legacy of Prince Eugen

The palace was commissioned by Prince Eugen and designed by the architect Ferdinand Boberg, and was built between 1903 and 1905. The gallery building was added in 1913 to house the Prince’s extensive art collection. Upon Prince Eugen’s death, the entire Waldemarsudde estate was bequeathed to the state, which was to manage it as a museum. Waldemarsudde is one of Sweden’s best known and most visited art museums and has been a listed building since 1993.

Waldemarsudde Tengbom 2015
Photo: Nina Broberg

Responsibility for maintenance and development

Tengbom had the framework agreement as building architect and general consultant for Waldemarsudde between 2013-2015. This meant that we were responsible for the listed building’s maintenance and development, in collaboration with the National Property Board of Sweden and the Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde Museum. We primarily worked in the areas of architecture, conservation and technical matters, as well as regulatory requirements. In conjunction with the consultant group, as building architect we carried out project planning as well as investigative assignments. We were consultants and handled such things as permit issues and long-term plans for maintenance and restoration.

Adaptation and visions for the future

One of the projects we worked on at Waldemarsudde was the extensive rebuilding of the museum shop and entrance hall, including improvements to accessibility at the main entrance, both inside and out. We focused on environmental aspects, lighting, acoustics, and both interior and exterior maintenance. The park and gardens was also part of our work. Additionally, we developed a proposal to open the old linseed oil mill to the public.

Waldemarsudde 2015
Waldemarsudde 2015
Waldemarsudde 2015
Waldemarsudde 2015
Waldemarsudde 2015
Waldemarsudde 2015
Photo: Sten Jansin
Photo: Sten Jansin
Photo: Sten Jansin
Photo: Sten Jansin
Photo: Sten Jansin
Photo: Sten Jansin

A complex project with specific challenges

The project at Waldemarsudde presented constant challenges. Working in an art museum means tackling environmental, technical, logistical, and programming demands. The focus was on adapting and refining the design to meet today’s needs while carefully preserving Waldemarsudde’s cultural value.

Close collaboration is essential

Collaboration was key throughout the process. Technical consultants and specialists joined early on. Each project within cultural environments involves close contact with managers, tenants, and authorities. Craftsmen, contractors, and other consultants also play a vital role. This demands flexibility, coordination skills, initiative, and a keen sense of the bigger picture.

Contact person

Josefin Larsson

Business Developer
+46 72 183 02 34

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Kelly

Inspired by a colourful artist
Kelly
Interior Design
Product Design
Client: Ragnars
Type of project: Product design
Year of commission: 2016
Designer: Mathieu Gustafsson
Producer: Ragnars
Areas of expertise: Interior design

As our office environments are becoming ever more flexible and activity based, there is a growing need for space-efficient, comfortable and private workplaces. Kelly is a series of colourful tables and stools in organic shapes and tactile materials, inspired by the work of the artist Ellsworth Kelly.

Kelly is produced by Ragnars, a firm that we have worked with before and with which we developed the office furniture series Metro. We wanted to supplement the more advanced system with a freestanding product and decided to develop a new and unusual table design in partnership with Ragnars.

Kelly
Illustration: Tengbom

Friendliness and tactility

Our starting point was to create a workplace that felt private and inclusive, despite the small space. We designed a table with rounded shapes and a work surface in DeskTop linoleum. A soft screen, covered in coloured felt, adds both comfort and character.

“We were actively involved in giving Kelly a friendliness and materiality. The surfaces should feel soft to the touch and the shape should be nice to work at. A lot of the inspiration came from some of the colourful, graphic work of the artist Ellsworth Kelly,” says Mathieu Gustafsson, designer.

We were actively involved in giving Kelly a friendliness and materiality

The golden section

Soon, the range expanded to include stools. By defining a golden section, we created a smart and efficient design. Stools and tables share the same dimensions, fasteners, and fittings. The materials are robust, with sustainability in focus throughout development. Kelly aligns with Ragnars’ expertise in flat-pack furniture while adding a new twist to their minimalist design language.

We launched Kelly at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in spring 2016. The series offers a variety of woods and colours, making it easy to adapt to different spaces and styles. Tables come in two fixed heights, 74 cm and 90 cm, working well for both standard and bar-height settings. Stools are available in three heights—45 cm, 65 cm, and 75 cm—providing flexible seating options. With its clean design and carefully crafted details, Kelly brings both function and character to any environment.

Contact person

Linus Fridén

Product design Lead
+46 133 55 533

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Smaragdskolan

A green gem on Öland
Architecture, Interior Design
Education
Client: Mörbylånga Bostads AB
Location: Runsbäck, Färjestaden, Öland
Year of commission: 2014
Contractor: Mörbylånga Bostads AB
Competences: Education
Collaborative Partners: Sweco systems AB, LH ingenjörsbyrå AB, Brand och riskanalys AB, Gröna Rummet Landskapsarkitekter AB, Kreativa Storkök Sverige AB

On the outskirts of Färjestaden, a village with approximately 5,000 inhabitants in Mörbylånga municipality on Öland, we find the new Smaragdskolan. In this place, we have managed to create something special, using only some simple tricks; an environment where the children feel welcome and where the quality radiates from the walls. Literally.

Already from the start, there was a vision to design a school that radiated quality. Smaragdskolan, an F-5 activity for approximately 200 students was to be built in a residential area a little outside of Färjestaden’s centre. Together with our client, Mörbylånga Bostads AB, we started thinking of ideas for the students to long for despite the somewhat peripheral location. The end result is exactly as we intended – both children and grown-ups say that they love the place. The quality using a few simple tricks creates a fine balance.

The facade of high quality pine is Sioo impregnated, a new and environmentally friendly surface treatment that quickly gives the wood a beautiful, light grey colour.

Smaragdskolan
Photo: Bertil Hertzberg

An Öland barn with a modern touch

These simple yet robust agricultural buildings are everywhere on Öland—solid wooden walls and pitched steel roofs. We embraced the traditional design but introduced new ideas. The facade, made of high-quality pine, is treated with Sioo, an eco-friendly finish that quickly gives the wood a light grey tone. Large windows let in plenty of daylight and create a sense of transparency. As a nod to its name, Smaragdskolan also features green accent colours at the entrance and in the stairwells.

Flexible environments with the ability to grow

To make the most of the light, we placed the school yard in a south-westerly direction. The building is L shaped in two volumes with the classrooms facing north in one of the volumes. In the other, there is a studio, a library, dining hall and after school activities, spaces that may also be used by other organisations outside of school hours. To allow the school to grow over time, we have made the preparations for a possible extension and the adding of more learning environments.

The colour scheme was chosen due to research that shows that people find those colours peaceful.

Participation offers identity

But let’s go back to the name. To make students feel involved in the new school, the council arranged a naming competition. The winning entry came from class 5C. Their motivation was simple—the school sits near Smaragdvägen, and “it feels good to go to a school named after something as beautiful as an emerald.” The emerald is also a precious gem symbolising growth, harmony, stability, and stamina. Its green colour represents youth and health.

Transparency against exclusion

As is the case with white and blue, the green colour is repeated in the interior design. The colour scheme was chosen due to research that shows that people find those colours peaceful. Inside the school too, we have selected several sound and robust materials such as limestone and terrazzo. We also placed a great focus on transparency. Glass areas instead of walls give the teachers an overview of the activities and create security for the kids. Open, light surfaces prevent bullying and exclusion.

Contact person

Joao Pereira

Practice Director Kalmar and Linköping
+46 708 79 99 38

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A-series

Swedish craftsmanship in a new design
A-series 2012
Interior Design
Product Design
Client: SA Möbler
Years of commission: 2010–2011
Competences: Product Design

At the end of 2010, the legendary furniture maker SA Möbler contacted us to develop a collection for touch-down work. The goal was to create functional and well-designed furniture for modern workplaces. In 2011, we launched the A-series at the Milan furniture show.

The name, the A-series, was inspired by the A-shape trestle supporting the tops of the different tables. The series is designed for so-called touch down work, which often includes stand-up meetings and high seating, with a focus on temporary work and meeting situations. The series also include a stool of various designs.

A-series 2012
Photo: SA Möbler
A-series Tengbom 2012
Photo: Kameron foto

“The A-series blends Swedish craftsmanship with innovative design and shapes a new atmosphere for work and meeting spaces. We constantly develop future workplaces. Creating a series that fully meets both functional and aesthetic needs is an incredible opportunity,” says Johanna Munck af Rosenschöld, former Practice Director.

We wanted to combine aesthetics and technology with solid craftsmanship and tactile materials.

Aesthetics through technology

We wanted to combine aesthetics and technology with solid craftsmanship and tactile materials such as wood, leather and textile. The result is a simple and harmonious shape developed through advanced construction. The A-series is produced in Sweden and is currently available in ash or oak, as well as in different designs and colours. We are still working on the series continuously producing new products.

A-series Tengbom 2012
Photo: Thomas Harrysson

Focusing on sustainability has been one of the preconditions for us and for the manufacturer, SA Möbler. The products that we have developed according to Möbelfakta’s requirement specification, are of high quality and with a long lifespan – a sustainability aspect that is at least as important as the use of environmentally friendly materials.  The A-series also has been awarded European Consumers Choice Award, good evidence that we have managed to translate our vision into a qualitative end result.

A-series Tengbom 2012
Photo: Thomas Harrysson

About SA Möbler

SA Möbler offers office furniture designed by selected architects and designers from across Scandinavia. The company’s history dates back to 1896, always with a focus on quality and ergonomics. The range includes both standard and customised products, crafted in their own factory by Tibro’s most experienced carpenters.

Contact person

Linus Fridén

Product Design Lead
+46 133 55 533

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Avion Shopping

To want to stay
Architecture, Interior Design
Retail
Client: Ikea Centres
Location: Umeå
Years of commission: 2011 - 2016
Contractor: Fastec
Type of project: Shopping mall
Areas of expertise: Retail, Interior Design

Shopping malls play an ever-greater role in our daily lives, in our cities and in our culture. In Umeå, we have designed Avion Shopping, a shopping mall with the ambition that the customers should want to repeat the experience again and again. Welcome.

On behalf of Ikano Retail, who later changed names to Ikea Centres, we designed the mall Avion Shopping in Umeå. The mall is built adjacent to an Ikea store, and the shopping mall in Umeå is one of Ikea Centres’ 58 shopping destinations around Europe.

Photo: Per Ranung

Our architects in charge are Emma Nilsby and Christer Blomqvist. They have the following story to tell:

“We have been involved in the project from the beginning to the end with the exception of the detailed planning. We stayed on as design architects during the construction stage and were even responsible for the interior concepts and the interior design of the public spaces. The concept we went with for the exterior was the feeling of a brilliant and reflecting ice crystal with associations to the location up north.”

“The concept we worked on with the exterior is the feel of a shining and reflecting ice crystal.”

Emma Nilsby and Christer Blomqvist, architects

The third living room

Avion Shopping is a 34,000 square metre large shopping centre with approximately 90 shops spread over two floors. There are six restaurants and five cafés. The orientation inside the building therefore, has been an important aspect for us, to accompany the visitor and make sure that the visit is a special experience that they would like to repeat. For that reason, we wanted to design the project as ‘the third living room’, after our homes and our workplaces. The mall should be both a meeting place and a destination, and therefore, the function is crucial. One result of this is that there are no dead ends in the mall – visitors are strolling along two oval circuits. This offers two clear lines of sight in the space and contributes to an increased ability to navigate the space.

Collage

Material and colours have been left natural, so there is for example a lot of ash on panels and floors. We tried to create a typically Scandinavian feel where the colours of the interiors reflect the seasons.

Avion Shopping
Photo: Sanna Lindberg

Not a box

Photo: Emma Nilsby

The exterior looks like a large box, there is no denying it. But we have tried to come away from the convention of the typical box-like architecture that so often dominates commercial projects. We have therefore, in consultation with Ikea Centres, developed a facade with sandwich elements of aluminium, on which we placed an undulating decorative expanded metal. But how can we get away from the ‘box’? Well, by working with trailer lights from above and down behind the facade, we create the impression that the building glitters at night and when the undulating shape is emphasised, it gives a much more three dimensional feel.

“We are happy that we managed to create this special and characterful facade. It was a bit of a risk or maybe a wish from our side but Ikea Centres were positive to it”, says Emma Nilsby.

The final result we reached by making a 1:1-scale model in consultation with the manufacturers.

Avion Shopping
Photo: Per Ranung

Trading places are and have historically always been important to us people

Location, location, location

A building where the logistics function as planned and the flow of people works well, the location of the shops follows in a natural way. We have been careful to make sure that every shop is visible and gets the opportunity to express its presence.

“Trading places are and have historically always been important meeting places for us people. In addition, they are often meeting places that we here at Tengbom try to make functional and useful. Moreover, malls are interesting environments for us to design, as they are spaces that everyone has access to but are still not really part of the public space. Therefore, we have started focusing on creating environments where people want to stay and mingle, that offer you excitement as well as playfulness”, says Emma Nilsby.

Contact person

Josefin Klein

Practice Director Skåne
+46 40 641 31 18

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