When Briskeby was introduced in 2022, it was not only Vestre’s longest sofa – it also spoke a new design language with an almost floating feeling and a lightness rarely seen in larger sofas for urban spaces. This spring, new versions are being launched, which make Briskeby even more accessible and flexible.
It goes without saying that a sofa that is over three meters long comes with certain limitations. Even though Briskeby has a strong architectural presence in all environments, the first version simply could not fit everywhere. Therefore, a shorter version is now added, which gives Briskeby a wider area of use. In addition, the sofa will be available with armrests for increased accessibility, as well as in a bench version without a back that offers seating on both sides of the bench.
”Briskeby received a fantastic reception, and it is a natural process to further develop the sofa to a larger family. Different configurations strengthen the product in terms of functional flexibility and general use”, says designer Andreas Engesvik.
Briskeby has a minimalist expression and the construction creates a feeling that something is held up using only steel and wood. Choosing the right material was an important starting point during the design and manufacturing process, where the wood contributes to giving the Briskeby furniture a delicate, soft, and humane expression.
”We have used the materials in a natural, efficient, and traditional Nordic way. It is an old way of construction that evokes associations with benches made of logs and how many older log houses are built. It gives very simple and beautiful proportions. Briskeby is also very rational in his character. Wood and iron are two of the oldest materials we humans have made things from. The metal stand has an almost eternal structure, while the planks can be replaced if necessary after many years of use and wear. That makes it easy to always be able to renew the product”, says Andreas Engesvik.
As standard, Briskeby is delivered in Nordic pine impregnated with linseed oil. It is also available in oiled oak, oiled ash, Kebony Clear (Nordic Ecolabeled kebonized pine based on a Norwegian technique), and in painted Accoya – a dimensionally stable type of wood that lends itself very well to painting to create a unique expression for specific environments and projects. The Swedish steel in the stand produces 30 percent lower emissions of greenhouse gases than the world average and has a lifetime guarantee against rust. Like all Vestre products, the metal parts can be powder coated in approximately 200 RAL colors.
Product information Briskeby Bench/Sofa
Design: Andreas Engesvik
Material: Nordic pine impregnated with linseed oil or painted Accoya, Kebony Clear, and oiled oak or ash (for indoor use) steel base.
Configuration: With or without armrests and backrest.
Dimensions: 3000x742x524 mm 2340x742x524 mm
Price: From EUR 1 450
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About Andreas Engesvik
Andreas Engesvik has a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in design. In 2000, Engesvik helped create the design group Norway Says, and since 2009 he has run his own design agency. He has won a number of awards nationally and internationally.
About Vestre
Vestre is one of Scandinavia’s leading producers of urban furniture and has created social, sustainable meeting places for millions of people for over 70 years. Sustainability, locally produced materials, and the least possible environmental impact are pivotal to the company’s furniture production. Vestre is a Norwegian family business, the products are manufactured in Norway and Sweden, and are available in almost 200 different colours with a lifetime anti-rust warranty.
The factory in Torsby in Värmland, Sweden was designed by architectural firm Snøhetta, which is behind many high-profile international projects, including the library in Alexandria, the 9/11 Memorial Center in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Oslo Opera House. The firm also designed “The Peace Bench”, which Vestre and Hydro created in 2019 on behalf of the Nobel Peace Center. Vestre has been voted “Brand Builder of the Year” by the Federation of Norwegian Industries and cited as the “Best for outdoor furniture” by the prestigious design and lifestyle magazine Monocle, which has readers worldwide. In 2019, the company was voted “Entrepreneur of the Year” at the Norwegian EY gala. In January 2020, Vestre was awarded their 16th DOGA award by Design and Architecture Norway. The company was given the award for its partnership with Front in the creation of Folk. In February 2020, Vestre was awarded “Best Stand” at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair in Stockholm for its sustainable stand, developed together with Note Design Studio.
The opening of Vestre´s new factory The Plus Colour and Wood Factory in Magnor Norway took place in June 2022. The factory, which has been designed by the leading architect firm Bjarke Ingels Group, is the most environmentally friendly furniture factory in the world and is also the largest investment in the Norwegian furniture industry for decades.
Read more at vestre.com and theplus.no