Vizeum Norway are pitching for the Ikea account, and they’ve decided to use crowdsourcing to answer the brief, which requires coming up with an idea for a social media platform for the iconic brand.

Norwegian researchers have developed a floating turbine that can operate in waters deeper than 360 feet, enabling it to function virtually anywhere. The initial design was launched off the coast of Stavanger, an oil town located in southwestern Norway back in June.

Designer Per Aage Sivertsen is using milk proteins to make a gauze-like fabric.

The world’s tallest wooden building is being constructed in Kirkines, Norway, and will serve as the town’s cultural center in addition to housing energy-efficient offices for the Barents Secretariat.

This past week Scandinavians and Scandophiles across the world helped bring in the season with local Summer Solstice Celebrations…

Norway is testing out a program to distribute laptops to all secondary students. Nord-Trondelag county is acting as the guinea pig in the trial, where a government-issued computer has been given to every 16-19 year old.  These computers are designed to be used solely for schoolwork, and to act as sophisticated test-taking machines. Big-brotherish monitoring software is installed on all the laptops to ensure no cheating takes place – spellcheck is as much help as they’re allowed.
Good Magazine also has a great in-depth article about laptops in schools here.
[BBC via Engadget]
[image credit: Corey Arnold for Good Magazine]

Originally constructed in the 1960s, Oslo’s International School was worn down and in need of an update. The private school, of which 500 students from over 50 nations are represented, renovated the building in three phases to optimize the school’s usage and functionality. The construction established new educational areas in the building, in addition to structural renovation.
While paying respect to the previous design, the one story building’s new fixtures create three recreation areas for children. The walls are organically shaped and the school’s façade is covered with multicolored boards. The simple additions to the building create an inviting and playful [...]