Cappelen Damm

Cappelen Damm, Norway’s largest publisher, has comprehensively renovated its headquarters in Oslo, combining the building’s historic essence with contemporary work culture. Originally designed in 1930, the structure was sensitively transformed by DARK Architects in collaboration with the interior architecture firm IARK into a versatile open workplace comprising 350 individual workspaces, as well as conference rooms, lounge areas and meeting zones.

A responsible approach to resources was central to the client’s brief. Existing furnishings such as Vitra’s Grand Repos with Panchina, Petit Repos and Meda Conference were retained and seamlessly integrated into the new setting. In addition, a range of products from Vitra’s Circle for Contract programme were incorporated: refurbished Eames Aluminium Chairs, Eames Soft Pad Chairs and Eames Segmented Tables. Such reuse reduces CO2 emissions by 60–90% compared to newly manufactured items.

The project demonstrates how the targeted mix of existing elements with selected future-proof products can create a vibrant workplace that meets the needs of a modern media company while simultaneously respecting its heritage.