The Nordics • Insider guides • The Nordic hot list February 2025
Stay informed and stay inspired! The Nordic hot list is your monthly dossier of what’s shaping the cultural and creative landscape across the Nordics. From smart new openings and design-forward projects to events worth pencilling into your diary, we spotlight the ideas and initiatives that matter. Whether you’re a local with a keen eye on your surroundings or a traveller seeking authentic inspiration, this is your curated guide to the things that are getting our attention (and deserve your’s, too).
Top photography courtesy of Bar el Guiri
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Photography courtesy of Bar el Guiri
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Studio Bua, an architectural practice based in London, is known for its ambitious and concept-driven projects. Founded in 2017 by Mark Smyth and Sigrún Sumarliðadóttir, the studio has realised several notable works, including the renovation of Guesthouse Nýp, an Icelandic farmhouse and cultural centre. Nýp, located in western Iceland, features a jet-black cabin built on the foundations of a former sheep shed, containing an artist’s studio for the residency programmes and guesthouse overlooking the Breiðafjörður fjord. The cabin’s simple volume and off-centre pitched roof nod to the area’s agricultural buildings and mountain peaks.
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Photography courtesy of Studio Bua and Guesthouse Nýp
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Photography courtesy of Ravinen
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Noura Residency, founded by photographer Michael Falgren, is a multidisciplinary concept in central Copenhagen. It offers a customisable space that blends the tranquility of a natural habitat with urban convenience. The interiors feature a minimalist design with natural materials, creating a serene atmosphere. The space is versatile and is meant to be suitable for city breaks, product showcases, photo editorials, meetings and small gatherings. Collaborations with designers like Kristina Dam Studio enhance the aesthetic appeal.
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Photography courtesy of Noura Residency
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Bouchon Carême, opened in 2024, resides in the iconic Aleksanterinkatu 13, a landmark building completed in 1900 as Finland’s first commercial property. Its revolutionary design, inspired by 19th-century German and Viennese business architecture, played a key role in shaping Helsinki into a modern European capital. Today, this historic site hosts a culinary experience that blends rustic Lyonnaise traditions with refined modernity. Led by renowned chefs Hans Välimäki and Maria von Graevenitz-Välimäki, the menu dazzles with dishes like cauliflower cream profiteroles with truffle and grilled oysters with green apple and beurre blanc. Finnish studio Fyra’s elegant interior design complements the building’s legacy.
Photography courtesy of Fyra Design Agency and Bouchon Carême
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Photography courtesy of CF Hill
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Photography courtesy of W.B. Samson
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Photography courtesy of Kalevala
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Photography courtesy of Camour
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