Patrick Stangbye

Patrick fell in love with long distance running years back and has since then had a habit of pushing his body and testing his limits. It started with a 50K run in Oslo and has since evolved to 100K runs in the mountains that stretch over the course of a day, a night, and in some cases two.

“I've always been very curious, and for me, it's like going on an adventure. In a road marathon, for example, you're focused on the clock, aiming for a specific time, and that’s what determines if it’s a good race or not. But after the first time, you're not really worried about finishing, you know you can do it. With some of the runs I do, though, there is real uncertainty. You don’t always know if you'll reach the finish line today, tomorrow, or at all. And that’s part of the excitement.”

Whether it’s the vastness of mountain trails, the rhythm of city streets, or the stillness of nature, each journey is an opportunity to learn something new or reconsider something old. Patrick works with creative direction and strategy for Italy-based Roa Hiking and on his own project Portal, where his love for the outdoors and everyday movement is evident. The time spent moving through changing landscapes has a strong influence on his work, where the colors and textures of nature often find their way into his creative output.

“I have an analytical approach to everything I do. While I might not always be the most structured person, I approach everything I work on with a strong analytical mindset. Research plays a big part in my work. I would like to pretend that I’m just a guy running around in the mountains, but even that process, including my training, is deeply analytical. Same goes for choosing furniture; if something doesn’t fit right, which happens, I will evaluate and get a clear picture of why it didn’t work.”

His love for nature is also prominent in his Oslo-home. “I’m very connected to the mountains and want to bring those elements into my home. Some of my favorite designs are by Charlotte Perriand. She was also deeply inspired by the mountains, and many of her stools and pieces were created for mountain villages or cabin-like environments."

"For me, home is a place of calm. I do work from home, but after the chaos of travel and the overwhelming sensory input from cities - too much noise, too many visuals, too many signs - I need a space that brings me peace. I’m a very observant person. It doesn’t always need to be perfectly styled or super polished around me, but I find comfort in being surrounded by things I like — things that are beautiful or interesting in some way. It doesn’t have to be completely zen, but I appreciate creating calm in my environment. Maybe because my mind is often more chaotic than others. I seek peace in the things I choose to surround myself with.”

A perfect day in Oslo to him is a day starting off in the forest. “I often start my day out in the woods, preferably early in the morning. I'm usually out from around half-past six or seven in the morning. From my door, it's only five kilometers to reach the nearest trail."

"I typically run long distances, about half an hour out, half an hour back, and then spend around an hour in the forest. Although it's exercise, I think one of the best things about being outside, especially in the forest, is how my mind works. I can listen to a podcast, but often it's just nice to sort my thoughts, especially in periods with a lot of work. After that, I usually grab a coffee and get started with my workday. In the summer, I like to go on a bike ride in the evening before having a meal with friends outside. Those are the kinds of things I enjoy. On weekends, I like to visit museums and see art. I use the city, but I'm not big on nightlife. My kind of nightlife is running in the forest with a headlamp.”

Sitting across from someone who has ultra marathons as a hobby, makes you wonder what their relationship to comfort is. "I feel like we live pretty easy lives today. I have a lot of comfort in my daily life, good food, good coffee, and rituals I enjoy, but I also like the contrast. This summer, I slept in a tent for almost six weeks straight, with just a few nights inside here and there. And then suddenly, I had trouble sleeping indoors, it felt so stuffy. Comfort depends on how you define it. I don’t mind a little discomfort, like running in the rain, because as long as I’m moving, I don’t really mind. I wouldn’t want to be comfortable all the time, that would be boring.”

For Patrick, Ekstrem represents a connection to Norwegian design, something he started to value more after living abroad. “I don’t own many Norwegian design pieces, but I wanted to understand what makes Norwegian design unique. Scandinavia has a lot of well-known design history, especially from Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. Norway has its pieces, but I feel the pride isn’t as strong here. That’s why having something authentically Norwegian like Ekstrem feels important to me. It has an organic feel but blends well with more rational pieces that I have. I love how they play off each other,” he says.

“And it’s comfortable, though at first glance you might think otherwise. It’s playful, and you can sit in different positions.” For Patrick, furniture should create an experience. “I pick pieces based on how they make me feel, more than just functionality, but they still need to work. Good design should engage you emotionally, and Ekstrem does just that.”