What happens when design loses touch with the material — and what is lost when craft disappears from the process? Is craftsmanship merely nostalgia — or is it a prerequisite for quality, longevity, and meaning in Norwegian design?

These questions formed the foundation for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation at Design Salon in Theaterbaren, Nationaltheatret on May 7th. Together with an engaged audience, the panel explored why closeness to materials and production processes still matters — and what we risk losing as pace increases and distance from production grows.

The panel consisted of Jenny Skavlan, Olav Rune Haugen, and Sverre Uhnger, with Guro Røberg as moderator — and together they took the audience on a journey from the tactile qualities of material to the long-term responsibilities of industry, and from personal craft to generational continuity.

Craft as Grounding, Not Nostalgia; It quickly became clear that craft is not about preserving something old — it is about understanding something fundamental. We challenged the assumption that speed and scale are inherently progress: what disappears when we and designers no longer know the material firsthand?

Jenny Skavlan shared how redesign and reuse demand a closeness to objects that rarely emerges in linear production — and how this fundamentally changes both value and lifespan. Olav Rune Haugen spoke to what it means to steward material knowledge across generations, and how industrial continuity is a prerequisite for genuine quality. Sverre Uhnger showed how a background in craft shapes the designer's eye — that precision and intuition are not opposites, but collaborators.

The conversation found a natural home in the venue itself: the new Theaterbaren at Nationaltheatret is the result of close collaboration between design, craft, materials, and industry — which is precisely why this felt like the right place for this salon.

Craft as Untapped Potential

The conversation left the audience with a clear sense of recognition: craft is not an obstacle to innovation — it is its foundation. Norway has traditions, material knowledge, and professional communities that can carry the design field forward, but it requires a willingness to value what takes time and demands commitment.

Design Salon at Nationaltheatret served as a reminder that the future of Norwegian design cannot be built from a distance. It requires closeness — to material, to process, and to those who know the craft with their hands. Quality does not emerge through speed and separation from production. It emerges in the dialogue between idea and execution.

At MATRE, we do not just want to discuss the future — we want to help shape it. And it must be built with respect for what came before, and the courage to carry it forward.

This is only the beginning.

We look forward to creating more arenas where Norwegian design can be discussed, explored, and developed. The future of Norwegian design is bright — but it demands patience, skill, and the willingness to stay close to the work.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful panel, and to everyone who attended. Together, we are building a future for Norwegian design that is grounded, lasting, and meaningful.

Don't miss our next Design Salon — more info to come!