Design, much like travel, is an act of observation. Of lingering in places long enough to notice how the light falls, how a chair invites you to sit, how the taste of something – coffee, a view, a memory – settles in your body. For Oslo-based design duo Anderssen & Voll, these observations form the backbone of their practice.

Sending postcards to RUSSH, Torbjørn and Espen offer us a local’s-eye view of the Norwegian capital: its warmest corners, most sacred rituals, and architectural marvels. From the almost-spiritual espresso at Tim Wendelboe to the stillness of St. Hanshaugen park...

Tim Wendelboe

If you ask us, Tim Wendelboe doesn’t just make the best coffee in Oslo – but arguably, the world. He came first in the World Barista Championship in 2004, and has been honing his near-godly craft ever since. Every day, without fail, you'll find us – and every other Norwegian arbiter of taste – sipping an espresso at his counter. While their roastery used to be in-house, it's now located down the road. You can order a weekly coffee subscription from them, too. Freshly roasted coffee delivered to your door – it really is as good as it sounds.

Nedre Foss Gård

Situated by the river Akerselva, in the center of Oslo, is an old farm complex. Between 2012–2015, we were deeply involved in transforming the premises into a restaurant and brewery, which is a genuine hotspot of culinary delights with a decadent atmosphere. This was a very atypical project for us as it was so heavily steeped in history, but this engagement with the design principles of another time taught us so much: in particular, not to fear ornament—that common enemy of us modernists. Our studio was located on the site, and so, day in and day out, we watched the renovation unfold. This proximity to, and intimacy with, the project affirmed our deep reverence for manufacturing, industry, materiality and longevity. The project also gave rise to our home-brand Nedre Foss, the aim of which is to produce objects as functional as they are beautiful, and that last for at least a hundred years. In many ways, we owe so much of our craft to this place. And the food really is extraordinary.

St. Hanshaugen

You haven’t truly seen Oslo unless you’ve stepped out of its busy urban centre and ventured into St. Hanshaugen park, a home to old trees, blackbirds and, at its highest point, the best views of the city. We take ourselves here whenever we need a moment of calm, to get some perspective, or to catch up with old friends. Being here is a mental palette cleanser. Blackbirds chirping in the long summer nights and ships sounding their horns as they head south for Denmark… bliss.

Ambassaden

This photograph shows us in the central court of the former American Embassy in Oslo, designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in 1959. In 2023, the building was reopened after an extensive restoration and extension project by two Oslo-based architecture firms: Atelier Oslo and LundHagem. Now a mixed-use building hosting offices, bars, cafes, restaurants, and event spaces, it exudes all its midcentury glory while simultaneously supporting 21st century life.

The waterfront

Located just by the city's iconic Opera House, originally designed by Snøhetta, at Langkaia pier in Bjørvika, are two floating saunas. We can't lie, the fjord is bitterly cold even at the best of times. But thanks to the Sauna Association, various rafts have popped up which make it more manageable, and we’ve become partial to the biohacking benefits of a sauna followed by an icy plunge. Not for the faint of heart, but worth a dip if only for the bragging rights.