OEO Studio: Compelling Minimalism

The award-winning design studio OEO Studio, based in Copenhagen, boasts a diverse oeuvre that includes residential architecture, hospitality, commercial interiors, product design, and creative direction.

This visual journey originates from the inspiration that drives OEO’s co-founders, Thomas Lykke and Anne-Marie Buemann, and offers a detailed exploration of their design philosophy known as Compelling Minimalism. This approach is characterized by disciplined restraint, attention to detail, coherence, and elegance, driven by a unique combination of Scandinavian values of clarity and a deep appreciation of Asian aesthetics.

The designers’ unwavering commitment to elementary composition means their work emphasizes clean lines, natural materials, and thoughtful compositions that prioritize meaning and authenticity. OEO’s overriding considerations are warm, welcoming, unpretentious interiors that are comfortable and convivial, with space for contemplation: human values come first. Drawing inspiration from unconventional sources such as nature, architecture, and cultural traditions, OEO’s projects reflect their sympathy for craftsmanship and detail.

Catherine Shaw is a design writer, author, and editor who specializes in architecture, art, and design. She is the Asia-Pacific contributing editor for New York–based Metropolis magazine and the author of Louis Vuitton’s City Guide Hong Kong.