Sommerro Hotel in Oslo: The Process of Historic Building Restoration
Restoring a historic building is a complex endeavor that is best left in the hands of seasoned professionals. It requires a design team capable of collaborating with other tradespeople to preserve original features, while crafting a thoughtful design that complements the interior architecture. Equally important is having a team with a deep reverence for historic spaces—a quality that our experienced team at GRECODECO possesses and continuously cultivates.
GRECODECO had the pleasure of designing the interiors of a luxury hotel in Oslo, Norway called the Sommerro which opened its doors in 2022. Speaking about the decision to bring on our team, the hotel’s brand director, Siri Løining, said, “We wanted to find interior designers who respect a building’s history and ultimately understand how to transform preserved buildings into hotels. We found that GRECODECO was perfect for this task.”
In today’s blog, we are exploring the extensive restoration of the Sommerro and how our team handled some of its original design features.
The Sommerro Restoration Project: An Overview
Originally the headquarters of the city’s electrical company, the Sommerro was designed in 1931 by renowned architects Andreas Bjercke and Georg Eliassen. The goal of the restoration was to preserve the past while breathing new life into the space, creating beautifully layered and unique rooms that help visitors fall in love with Oslo and Norwegian culture.
GRECODECO collaborated with the city antiquarian to preserve the building’s landmark features while designing the building’s Art Deco-style interiors. The team worked alongside LPO Architects to ensure every detail was carefully considered and fully integrated within the architecture.
The Importance of Research
At GRECODECO, a crucial part of our restoration process is research. Our team spent many hours immersing ourselves in Norwegian culture, spending time in art museums, hotels, archives, restaurants, and nature to understand the cultural context and history that would inform our design.
“We wanted to capture Norwegian-ness,” Adam Greco said about the project (Adam is our founder and lead designer here at GRECODECO). “There’s not much surviving from the 20s and 30s in Oslo, but the goal was to make Sommerro feel like it had always been there.” As foreign designers, our team worked hard to ensure we had a deep understanding and feel for the city both now and back in the Art Deco period.
Preserving the Historic Spiral Staircase
One of the most iconic features of the Sommerro Hotel is its grand spiral staircase. This stunning architectural element is a key focal point of the building’s design that showcases the elegance and craftsmanship of the 1930s. The restoration of the staircase was a meticulous process during which the staircase’s intricate ironwork, handrails, and decorative details were carefully restored by skilled artisans. GRECODECO ensured that the restoration honored the staircase’s historical significance, allowing it to continue as a central feature of the hotel that guests can enjoy and find inspiration from
Vestkantbadet: The Public-Bathhouse-Turned-Spa
Perhaps the most unique feature of the Sommerro is the luxurious spa in the basement called Vestkantbadet. Originally a public bathhouse from 1932, this space has been restored and transformed into a 15,000-square-foot urban retreat.
The design pays homage to the past with features like the original mosaic wall by famed Norwegian artist Per Krohg, a restored entrance sign from the early 1900s, and the building’s original swimming pool, saunas, and changing rooms. The Roman bath has been transformed into a cold plunge pool; it is now part of a traditional Nordic thermotherapy circuit that includes an infrared sauna. Guests can enjoy the historic bathing culture in a modern, luxurious setting.
About GRECODECO
Founded by Adam Greco in 2017, GRECODECO is a Manhattan-based firm that designs thoughtfully layered commercial and residential spaces worldwide. Our passionate team of designers specializes in research-heavy historic projects that capture and celebrate the essence of various iconic time periods, guiding guests through an elegant and emotional journey of the senses.
Interested in learning more about how GRECODECO can contribute to your restoration project and ensure the interior design complements the history and unique features of your site? Please don’t hesitate to inquire with us.