Andreas Engesvik
Engesvik’s fascination with objects began in childhood, when he visited flea markets with his mother. He also made a habit of sneaking into old, abandoned houses in search of forgotten things to give them new life. In a way, this is something he still does. “I enjoy repairing old, well-built cars. I spend many evenings in the garage. There’s something contemplative about repairing things – working with your hands,” he says.
Andreas Engesvik and Jannicke Grung in their studio in Oslo.
Bollo – a series of chairs that create conversation in many ways.
The path into design began with studies in art history, archaeology and heritage preservation. At the same time, he felt a drive to create things of his own. The impulse to apply to the Bergen Academy of Art and Design came after he met an acquaintance who was studying there. “If he can do it, then surely I can,” Andreas recalls thinking. After graduating, he co-founded the groundbreaking Norway Says, a trio that made a significant mark and helped secure a place for contemporary Scandinavian design on the international stage. Since 2010, he runs the studio Andreas Engesvik, Oslo.
A designer is someone who looks at the world of objects with curiosity, seeking to understand how things work, while also noticing what is missing and what could be improved. This curiosity is clearly seen in Andreas Engesvik’s work. He explores new ways of approaching materials and making use of their properties – always with a strong focus on what it is like to use and live with the furniture he creates. Take Bollo, for example – a bold piece of furniture, certainly, yet at the same time a pleasure to sit in. A little like a slightly eccentric outfit that fits perfectly, making you feel both comfortable and special at once.
That objects should be well-built, and that resources should be used responsibly, is fundamental to Andreas Engesvik’s approach. He sees quality as a response to the mass production of poorly made, short-lived objects that recklessly deplete valuable resources: “One of the biggest problems is overconsumption. As a designer, I therefore feel obliged to build things well. It’s important to engage with the challenges of our time – particularly environmental ones.”
Andreas Engesvik is a designer closely associated with Fogia, whose work plays a central role in the company’s collection. The collaboration began in 2013 with the celebrated Tiki Sofa.
In 2025 Pico lounge chair was introduced. “Comfort is an essential quality that Fogia is really good at,” explains Andreas Engesvik. “It’s a furniture maker that truly combines classic materials with masterful craftmanship. At the same time, they show great respect for your idea. When we work together, we never compromise on the idea or bring in focus groups. T hat really makes a big difference to the finished piece’s expression,” adds Engesvik.
Products designed by Andreas Engesvik
