Hem unveils new HQ during Stockholm Design Week and launches third decorative accessories collaboration with Modern Design Review: Powder Vase by Swedish designer Jenny Nordberg 3-9 Feb 2020

During Stockholm Design Week, Hem will unveil its new Stockholm HQ, a freshly renovated office space in central Stockholm. Designed by Stockholm-based multidisciplinary design practise Atelier Paul Vaugoyeau together with Hem’s internal design studio, the space embodies Hem’s vanguard design aesthetic and features hacked office features, such as a traditional grid ceiling, intentionally left visible, and simple materials such as storage made from lacquered MDF.

At the entrance of the office is a Puffy Brick counter, designed by London-based Soft Baroque. The striking sulfur yellow installation is made using jesmonite and an innovative moulding technique. This is the second Puffy Brick counter to be commissioned by Hem, with the first; a pink version, originally taking centre stage of Hem’s 2018 London Pop-Up shop and now to be found in the company’s restyled Stockholm Studio.

“As the Hem business evolves so has our headquarters. I’m very blessed to work with so many talented individuals – colleagues at Hem, designers and collaborators – and our new Stockholm HQ celebrates this; a culmination of all of this talent and where our experiments materialise.” Petrus Palmér, CEO and Founder of Hem

The office expansion eventuated from another record sales year for Hem, with a profitable turnover of US$15m in 2019 - doubling 2018 figures. This growth is reflective of the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality designrect to consumers and businesses, aided by its digital platform.

The new Hem HQ combines office space for 40 full-time employees, several meeting rooms, a design studio, photo studio, and workshop across 750² metres.

Stockholm Studio
The move to the new Stockholm HQ has allowed Hem to expand its showroom space in the city; the Hem Studio. This has been completely restyled for Stockholm Design Week to highlight the brand’s newest launches including the Max Lamb designed Max Table, the new Alle Round Table and the Kendo family of chairs and stools. Hem will also preview new variants of the popular Touchwood Chair by Lars Beller Fjetland.

As a special addition for Stockholm Design Week, Hem has collaborated with local restaurant Sandhäxan to create a pop-up kiosk a custom menu which will cater the brand’s special events during Stockholm Design Week.

Powder Vase by Jenny Nordberg
Part of the limited edition decorative accessory collection curated by Modern Design Review

Hem will unveil the third object from its decorative accessories collection curated by Modern Design Review during Stockholm Design Week following successful launches with London-based SuperGroup and Dutch designer Bertjan Pot in 2019.

This new series has been produced by Swedish designer Jenny Nordberg, a designer who is known for her research-led approach to making objects - something which has been key to the development of the Powder Vase for Hem. Produced as a signed, limited-edition of 15 pieces featuring three different shapes, the vases are made from sheet steel which Nordberg folds and welds by hand. Unique to the pieces is the unexpected, brutal and vivid surface treatment that Nordberg has developed through experimentation with powder-coating in her studio. Whilst powder-coating is most commonly used to achieve a uniform surface treatment, here Nordberg uses it to achieve an expressive decoration.

Hem’s decorative accessories collection commissioned by Modern Design Review intends to present objects that are the essence of their makers. For Jenny Nordberg this has meant a work that demonstrates her commitment to her industrially-inspired workshop production and is a continuation of her ideas-led, yet ultimately covetable, collection of works.

“Everything I do is based on strong political ideas. I don’t believe in global mass-production or in the current form of capitalism. Throughout my career, I have turned down numerous collaborations where I didn't see a shared value of sustainable production or consumption, Instead, I focus my attention on projects that are long lasting – those that reclaim materials and are engaged locally.” Jenny Nordberg