At Norm, we believe in the power of community and collaboration with kindred spirits. We love to meet new people, get inspired and venture into unknown territory and so, with this project we brought together part of our global community with Koio in New York, Karimoku Case Study in Japan, and our newly designed house in Barcelona – all tied together by our Scandinavian idea of Soft Minimalism.
The Koio x Norm Architects sneaker collab set out to explore the interconnection between footwear design, cabinet making and architecture. Connected by a shared belief in minimalist design, the collaboration emphasizes the inherent qualities of natural materials and great craftmanship. Combining the well-known features of classic Oxford shoes with the comfort of sneakers, the design echoes the ethos of both companies. As a result of a holistic design approach, we have designed a bench for the shoes, mimicking its thoughtful details and use of materials – and ended up by creating a beautiful hillside home as a framework for the entire story to unfold.
