Interior design with overall responsibility - FOJAB expands its offering

The strong interest in reuse has shifted the entire industry and changed the mission of interior designers. At the same time, it has opened up a new customer offering. This is according to Carl Kylberg, architect and head of the Interior Design business area at FOJAB.

What distinguishes FOJAB's offer in interior design?

- FOJAB is at the forefront of circular construction on the large scale that we have the opportunity to complete all the way down to the interior. We can have a reuse perspective on both floors and walls as well as interior doors and fixtures. One example of this is our own office in Malmö, a knitwear factory from the turn of the century that has been converted into offices with a large degree of reuse in the building, interior and landscape.

- Our interiors last over time. They are often restrained, timeless, elegant. They stand the test of time, as the saying goes. Sometimes I wish we could be a little bolder, but it's hard to combine that with timelessness. And we don't compromise on durability.

How has the industry changed in recent years?

- We interior designers have always had a special closeness to the projects. We are on site, close to the business and the end customer. In recent years, this has become even clearer. Nowadays, almost all projects include some degree of reuse, which has brought us even closer to the client and closer to the decisions. We inventory, rebuild, reupholster and find furniture in completely new places. Our role has changed a lot.

- This development, in turn, has opened the door to a different type of business. Previously, our job was done when we delivered the drawings. Then we left it to the client to buy in and get everything in place. But when the architect is already responsible for inventorying and monitoring the reuse market, it is natural to broaden the offer to include purchasing, delivery and assembly.

- That's why FOJAB can now - if the client so wishes - take responsibility for the entire delivery, from concept to occupancy. And even further: for example, when moving to new office environments, we offer change management so that the business can settle in.

What kind of interior design projects does FOJAB work on?

- FOJAB is a full-service office and interior design is involved in all types of assignments: offices, schools, healthcare, public buildings, retail, hotels, restaurants ... We have a wide range of skills and slightly different specializations and interests within the group. Some love to work with schools, others know a lot about building conservation. We offer furniture design and custom joinery - I've worked as a cabinetmaker myself - and we have specialist expertise in lighting design. Lighting is an important part of the experience!

- Our clients are in both the public and private sectors, large real estate companies and individual smaller clients. But in general it can be said that we are working more and more in the existing stock, as the market is moving more towards converting existing environments. For us interior architects, this does not mean any major change, we have this methodology with us since before.

- Working with existing structures and details is also the most fun! It adds a feeling that money can't buy. The era doesn't matter, there is something fun, exciting and beautiful from every era that can be highlighted.

Please contact Carl!
E-mail: carl.kylberg@fojab.se
Mobile: +46 709 90 30 10