Kulturista - Cultural Experiences in West Sweden

C U LT U R E E X P E R I E N C E S I N W E S T S W E D E N 25 Stylt Trampoli is a Gothenburg-based design agency that has won more awards for its hotel and restaurant décor than anyone. The company has a 25-year history and carries out design projects around the world. How would you describe your own – and Stylt Trampoli’s – foremost quality as interior decorators? “For us, our work comes down to creating something that’s interesting to listen to and to look at. We usually say that we “write the script” before we shoot the film. That is, we’re good at making use of stories in our concept development and at understanding which mechanisms make people’s hearts beat that little bit faster. We always have a clear idea of what we want a hotel or restaurant guest to experience.” How many hotel and restaurant interiors have you designed here in West Sweden? “I don’t know an exact figure. More than 50, I would guess. You could say I’m like a lobster fisherman trapped in a designer’s body; I gain a lot of inspiration from the coast and the sea. Stora Hotellet Bryggan in Fjällbacka is one example; each room tells its own tale from Captain Klassen’s voyages on the seven seas. These days we do a lot more work internationally – in Canada, the US, Switzerland, France, Russia… We decorated the interior of a hotel in Saint Petersburg so that each room tells a different story from Dostoyevsky´s novels.” Which West-Swedish projects are you most proud of? “The Cuckoo’s Nest restaurant at Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg is very much in tune with its location. We aimed to reflect the creative and innovative nature of the science park and the décor was inspired by people who work there. It includes a lot of prototypes, design sketches and the like. I also like Pumphuset in Borås (top right) and the AstraZeneca Café (centre). Stenungsbaden Yacht Club is also nice. Its central theme (inspired by the club’s former owner and his dream of sailing in the America’s Cup) has survived every renovation. It’s a strong, clear concept.” Do you have any other favourite spaces in West Sweden that you’d like to recommend to visitors? “The Garden Society of Gothenburg’s Palmhuset greenhouse is fantastic. Thorskogs Grand Manor House in Västerlanda Parish outside of Kungälv is also a treat. As restaurants go, I like Silvis in Gothenburg, which serves Palestinian cuisine. The owner decorated the interior himself.” ERIK NISSEN JOHANSEN FOUNDER, STYLT TRAMPOLI