The University of Aberdeen Library is almost a year old. It opened in September 2012 and was designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, a Danish practice, who also designed the Royal National Library in Copenhagen. Featured in international architecture, design journals and blogs it was recently listed as one of ‘the top 20 modern mesmerising libraries around the world’. The ground floor is open to the public. ‘The façade of
‘Disneyland for design geeks’ is how Denmark has been described. On the outside Finn Juhl’s house with its unassuming exterior couldn’t be further from Cinderella’s Castle but inside the Danish architect and furniture designer has worked his magic in this early example of open plan living. The floor plan has been designed meticulously so that each room has its own clear function but you can always see the next room
Can it be that absolutely everything that comes out of Scandinavia is aesthestically pleasing and highly functional? Even the people seem better designed. Scandinavian products are enjoying an extended moment and – excitingly – there are now lots of outlets beyond the well established Ikea and Skandium. The glasses above are £39.99 from Skandivis, a fantastic site full of lovely things for those who 'want to live the Scandinavian way'.