Student assignment at The Oslo School of Architecture and Design, 2022. Nominated for AHO WORKS Awards in the category of Industrial Design.
In the fall of 2022, my class at The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) was tasked with creating souvenirs for the Museum of the Viking Age, slated to open in Oslo in 2026. We had the option to draw inspiration from the museum’s graphic profile or any of the artifacts on display.
We had four weeks to complete the assignment, and I took this as an opportunity to learn something new — laser cutting! While laser-cut construction kits are a common sight in museum shops, they’re usually mass-produced generic items, not specifically designed for individual museums.
The Oseberg wagon, discovered alongside the Oseberg Viking ship, dates back to before 800 AD. Horse skeletons were also found in the burial mound, and they were once displayed with the cart.
The Oseberg Wagon with horses. Photo: Kulturhistorisk museum / Universitetet i Oslo
By simplifying, abstracting, and stylizing the shapes of the cart and horses, a construction kit was created that engages visitors even after they return home from the museum. The kit is laser-cut from a single piece of plywood, making it extremely compact—a perfect memento for tourists to take home a piece of Viking history!
The model kit was laser cut at Fellesverkstedet in Oslo.
The Oseberg cart is renowned for its distinctive carvings. These have been preserved in the construction kit, albeit simplified, ensuring that the key details are still prominent, even at a smaller scale. This approach allows the essence of the intricate designs to be appreciated, providing an authentic connection to the Viking Age while maintaining practicality for production and assembly.