New Danish brand Reform taps big-name architects for affordable kitchen range at Northmodern

Freshly launched brand Reform recently unveiled new kitchen concepts by three Danish studios - Norm Architects, BIG and Henning Larson - at Northmodern fair in Copenhagen

(Image credit: TBC)

By Sujata Burman

last updated 31 July 2022

in News

Taking centre stage at Northmodern fair in Copenhagen last week was a showcase of innovative kitchens from new brand Reform. Founded by Michael Andersen and Jeppe Christensen last year, the company invited three Danish architecture firms - BIG, Norm Architects and Henning Larsen Architects - to create affordable yet high-designed kitchens. How did they manage this? By hacking cabinetry by Ikea.

The collaboration builds on Reform's inaugural kitchen design, which first launched at the end of last year. Entitled 'Basis', the model is made up of Ikea modules dressed in classic Scandinavian minimalism - clean, white faces with an oak finish. At the fair, the experimental brand spoke of an admiration for the logistics of Ikea and its 'hacking' philosophy. Customers are invited to choose their cabinetry, then their 'reform', which have been imagined by the three participating design studios, using their own aesthetic and materials.

The models were lined up at the Bella Centre space, where each practice's individual touches shone through in spite of the kitchens' identically shaped Ikea bodies. Norm Architects' project was the standout, and sought to fill a gap in the market for affordable kitchens with the studio's first kitchen concept. The firm chanelled its minimalist style buy mixed up the materials - think a raw contrast of chalky reinforced concrete for the top and dark oak sawn veneer and smoked oak on the fronts, plus a luxury finishing touch of brass on the inside.

Henning Larsen Architects, meanwhile, presented two models, remaining close to the design of the original 'Basis' in the first, while the second employed reflective copper strips on the oak doors. Playfully adding textiles in mix was BIG architects, who attached security straps handles to their veneer oak doors. The kitchens will be available to purchase from September.

The collaboration builds on Reform's inaugural kitchen design, which first launched at the end of last year. Entitled 'Basis', the model is made up of Ikea modules dressed in classic Scandinavian minimalism

chalky concrete and dark veneer — Norm Architects' project was the standout. The firm chanelled its minimalist style but used a raw contrast of reinforced concrete, oak sawn veneer and smoked oak

Norm Architects saw a gap in the market for affordable kitchens and so decided to make this project their first kitchen concept. Pictured: a detail of the chalky concrete and dark veneer

Henning Larsen Architects presented two models, one that remained close to Reform's original 'Basis' model...

reflective copper strips on oak doors — ...and another that employed reflective copper strips on the oak doors

security strap handles on veneer oak doors — Playfully adding textiles in mix was BIG architects, who attached security strap handles to their veneer oak doors

Detail of the BIG's stitched strapped handles. All models will be available in September and prices will start from €2000

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.