Strom Architects Ltd have been Shortlisted in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about CEO & Creative Director, Magnus Strom, below:

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Name: Magnus Ström

Company: Ström Architects Ltd

Position within company: CEO and Creative Director

Website: https://www.stromarchitects.com/

Tell us a little about your background in design:

I moved to UK in 1995 to study architecture, and stayed here permanently. After graduation I worked in London and Dublin before joining a University tutor in his practice. In 2010, I set up Strom Architects. We are now an established practice specialising in one-off high-end homes, and luxury developments that have a villa element to them.

How would you describe your personal design style?

There is undeniably a Scandinavian influence on my designs. This is about a simplicity, and making human connections; be it to each other, or nature.

Greg McKeown writes in his book ‘Essentialism’: “Essentialism is about getting only the right things done. It’s about challenging the core assumption of ‘we can have it all’ and ‘I have to do everything’ and replacing it with the pursuit of ‘the right thing, in the right way, at the right time’.

We strive to find what is “Essential”, in the architecture. We strive to eliminate all the noise and focus only on the essential aspects of the home, marrying simplicity in design with optimum functionality.

We search for an overarching idea, or red thread, that runs through the house as a theme and embodies the brief. We test ideas, and once a concept is established, we enter a process of editing. The result is not only a home, but also a piece of architecture, where the sum of all the different parts are far greater than all the different pieces individually.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

Inspiration comes from everywhere. As humans we constantly collect and gather data, be it from nature, people, art, travel, objects etc. What I find enjoyable in the design process is that your brain fills up with all these references, so that when you stand on an empty site, or you start the design process, I draw on all these references. Sometimes it is almost automatic, and the design just flows out. Sometimes the process is more laboured, and you have to work much harder for end result.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Reuse, re-purposing and renovations, yet we see an increased demand for highly individual and bespoke new homes.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond.

Understated luxury (luxury found is spaces, not objects), Flow/ sense of calm, uniqueness, adaptability & sustainability,  

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Make sure you have the right design team and a great relationship with your client. If you have to fight for your ideas throughout the process, then the end result will never be as good as it could have been.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

The most important thing about the IDA awards, is that I feel they are different to many of the usual architecture awards and cater for a high-end market, that may be ignored in other residential awards.

What projects are you currently working on?

We’re working on numerous houses ranging from 250m2 – 1,800m2, as well as residential schemes for holiday homes in exclusive locations. We are currently bidding for a really exciting ultra high-end development as part of a major sporting complex in Dubai. We are currently working on 9 different countries.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

Our favourite projects are the ones where we and our clients are completely in tune. This makes for a smooth process and the most rewarding procedure and outcome.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

Our most challenging projects are the ones that has many disruptions and challenges in decision making. The process becomes laboured, and can ultimately delay and increase project cost.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

In terms of services: A professional design team. We work closely with Structural Engineers to realise designs that look simple and effortless.

In terms of products:  a roll of trace, Lamy fountain pens, Kurekolor markers, Vectoworks and Skethup.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

We are growing the practice sustainably and this will involve us opening an office in London in 2023. With this we are looking to take on bigger projects, like more multi house projects. We are also aiming for our workload to be 50/50 for UK versus International work.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?

I don’t really have objects that are that important to me. But my Fortis Flieger Watch is special as I bought this from my first ever bonus almost 20 years ago.

Your favourite holiday destination?

Where I can see the horizon above the water.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

Cap Rocat Mallorca

Your favourite book, film & song?

The film that most moved me recently was “Joker”

Song, Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, Live version on Delicate Sound of Thunder Album

Your favourite food and drink?

I’m a sucker for a good pasta dish, and my favoutire is Papardelle al Cinghiale

Good red wine and Negroni.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

Being out on the water. Either out racing, or leisurely anchored in a sheltered spot.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

Unfulfilled

Anything else interesting?

I’m obsessed by the horizon. This comes from spending so much time on the water sailing. The horizon is to me very calming, and hints at the destination which you yet can’t see.  An architect friend of mine said, “you do realise that your buildings are all about the horizon”. What he was referring to is that we often design very horizontal, low and long structures, often at open sites. It’s about catching that feeling, of something that is, beyond.