Through time - and space

In a conference room at Senab's Stockholm office, two men meet with warm smiles and crinkled eyes - testimony to decades of laughter and hard work. Mats Chressman and Lasse Svanström, two influential Senab profiles, began their journey with the company back in the 80s. This year marks 50 years since Senab was founded in 1975, and today the two look back on a time of vision, heartfelt drive, great courage and projects that have changed both people and companies for decades. And in many ways, they themselves.

Arlanda Airport Domestic

THROUGH TIME - AND SPACE

It's been several years since former Senab colleagues Mats and Lasse last met. Now, when they meet in the conference room at Regeringsgatan 66 - to talk about Mats' time at Senab - time stops for a moment. A warm handshake and laughter-filled words evoke memories of a long relationship, shared experiences and work that shaped both themselves and Senab. The reunion brings stories to life, and tales from the past quickly bubble to the surface.

- "The first job I got was at the Arlanda domestic terminal," Mats begins with a wry smile. "In a way, it was like being thrown straight into the thick of things. Everything was new to me and it wasn't just about delivering furniture. It was about learning to understand a place with people in constant motion.

By then, Senab had been around for eight years. But it was during the 80s and 90s that much of the company's soul was formed. Mats describes it as a time when business came through trust in relationships, presence in the business community and courage to do something new.

ARLANDA DOMESTIC HALL 1983

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"It set the tone for how we ourselves would work in the future - close to customers, solution-focused, heart-first."

- Lasse Svanström

- "You can't talk about Senab without talking about relationships," Lasse adds. "We saw early on how important it was to be there. Not just to show products, but to listen, understand and inspire.

This was the case when Senab acquired the mobile phone operator Comviq as a customer. "It was really a coincidence. We got in touch and it turned out to be perfect timing. They were fast-moving, creative and wanted something new. It set the tone for how we ourselves would work in the future - close to customers, solution-focused, heart-first. We helped our customers buy furniture. That's a big difference from selling furniture, as our competitors do. That's what still makes Senab unique in the world of interior design.

THROUGH TIME - AND SPACE

Own products

In parallel with all the projects, Senab supplemented by starting to produce its own products. There were customer needs that were not available from the furniture suppliers. And when we saw such opportunities, we took them. We created the Slussen sofa, the Koppla sectional series and the Part storage unit. Designed and developed together with Swedish designers to meet needs that no one else really saw.

- "Part was one of those pieces of furniture that changed the way we looked at storage," says Mats. "It became our own, both in function, thought and expression. And it gave us self-confidence. We knew we could influence, not just follow.

The Slussen sofa was another such milestone. Made in Hyltebruk's joinery, designed by Stig Lönngren at SIR, with a shape that stood out - and a comfort that made it beloved. It became one of Senab's first strong impressions in the public space.

THROUGH TIME - AND SPACE

Own products

In parallel with all the projects, Senab supplemented by starting to produce its own products. There were customer needs that were not available from the furniture suppliers. And when we saw such opportunities, we took them. We created the Slussen sofa, the Koppla sectional series and the Part storage unit. Designed and developed together with Swedish designers to meet needs that no one else really saw.

- "Part was one of those pieces of furniture that changed the way we looked at storage," says Mats. "It became our own, both in function, thought and expression. And it gave us self-confidence. We knew we could influence, not just follow.

The Slussen sofa was another such milestone. Made in Hyltebruk's joinery, designed by Stig Lönngren at SIR, with a shape that stood out - and a comfort that made it beloved. It became one of Senab's first strong impressions in the public space.

THROUGH TIME - AND SPACE

Partnerships

But it was far from just about form and function. There were also great collaborations. And one of the most important keys was the relationship between Mats and Senab's then CEO Lennart.

- Lennart was one of the most likeable people I worked with. He could read situations, see the way home, and wasn't afraid to let a deal take its time. He often shielded new ideas from internal interference until they took hold," says Mats. If he hadn't done that - a lot would never have happened.

It was also Lennart who saw the potential in both Lasse and Mats early on - and chose to employ them.

- He was the kind of leader who put people first. He had a flair for business, but also for relationships. He made you feel that you could do more than you thought.

"The challenge is not so much to meet cultural differences as to meet different local needs, requirements and laws while ensuring that SEB as a brand is perceived in the same way."

- Stina Brahme, Senab

The interiors of offices around the world are more similar than you might think. The local connection in the interior is subordinate to the feel of a modern Scandinavian bank for two reasons. 

- The point of the concept is that the feeling should be the same wherever you are in the world. You should recognize yourself and it should be Scandinavian. This is key to creating a sense of security for our customers, who are often Swedish companies, but also because we don't want to pretend to be a bank we're not. The local connection can be a small detail, a work of art, or that you use the view," says Annika at SEB. 

- For us, the concept work is about constantly balancing between maintaining a common thread and being flexible to meet real needs in everyday life. It's a shared responsibility and an ongoing process," says Stina.

Although it is quite clear in the manuals what Scandinavian is all about, it does not mean that everything is locked in time and space. On the contrary, new ideas that can fit in and solutions that come along are needed for the concept to be viable and the interior design to last.

THE ART OF GROWING TOGETHER

The value of art

SEB is a bank built on entrepreneurship and has always supported entrepreneurs. Therefore, it is perhaps quite natural that they also support the most wayward entrepreneurs - the artists. Martin Joanson is responsible for SEB's extensive art collection and believes that, in addition to being a monetary and cultural investment, it also plays an important role in everyday life at the bank.

 

- Good art makes people open their minds and think differently, especially asking the question "why?". We have examples where employees have struggled with challenges but have come up with solutions after walking around and looking at the art. This doesn't just develop the individual, it develops the whole bank," says Martin.

One of the objectives of the offices is to create an inviting and pleasant working environment with space for meetings.

"My absolute favorite in the interior is a table that is quite deep and specially designed for collaborations. I have one in my office so I can always have an overview of all parts of the interior design concept with, for example, fabric samples, materials and colors," says Annika at SEB.

THE ART OF GROWING TOGETHER

Staying and meeting

One of the objectives of the offices is to create an inviting and pleasant working environment with space for meetings.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, people have been able to start making completely different demands on their workplaces, which is also evident in the banking world.

- "It has to do with everything from belonging and comfort, but also specific and practical things like functions and equipment," says architect Stina.

The office in Arenastaden in Stockholm is SEB's largest and one of the most extensive offices within the bank. The original design was developed by Wingårdhs Arkitektbyrå and has served as inspiration in the development of SEB's other offices. There are a thousand easily accessible bicycle spaces at street level with a workshop and laundry, showers, changing rooms, a large gym with all the equipment and classes in everything from yoga to zumba. There is even a basketball court. The building has three lunch restaurants, various cafés and we have invested heavily in open spaces with many informal and formal types of meeting places.

"We want people to see each other and run into each other. Unexpected encounters can lead to unexpected solutions, but above all it is the basis for an open climate."

- Annika Elmlund, Design Lead at SEB,

- In Arenastaden, just over 6,000 people work in various areas, both in business and IT. So the needs are a little different from those of an ordinary bank branch. But even in a smaller place with 25 employees, the interior design should be imbued with the same idea and meet the needs of the staff, says Annika.

Regardless of the size of the office, it is clear that the floor plans and interiors are created with a focus on the social aspect. Many of the spaces are intertwined, open but also visible through glass partitions and atriums, while there are plenty of places for privacy.

- We want people to see each other and run into each other. Unexpected encounters can lead to unexpected solutions, but above all they are the basis for an open climate. We want to create environments that make customers want to linger - a meeting place that goes beyond the ordinary. When they do, it creates a unique vitality and opportunities for new meetings," says Annika. 

 Stina agrees:
- A good interior energizes everyone in it and helps people come together in everyday life in a better way.

THE ART OF GROWING TOGETHER

Arm's length to the future

The collaboration between SEB and Senab is a living proof of the power of developing together.

- Senab is a supplier that we can grow with. And they are good at responding to our increased needs, for example by appointing more people with the right skills. In this way, we have been able to develop together along the journey," says Annika. 

Stina is also looking forward to future challenges:
- Even though we know a lot, we always learn something new with each project. Interior design is about people, but also about culture and society. This becomes particularly clear when you move between different parts of the world. To solve concrete problems, we therefore also need to challenge ourselves with new impulses and discover other possibilities together with the customer.

"Even though we know a lot, we always learn something new with each project. Interior design is about people, but also about culture and society."

Through close collaboration, shared visions and a strong belief in sustainability, SEB and Senab have created something unique-a global interior design solution that combines the best of Scandinavian design with local adaptations around the world. But the work is not a book you close after the last page.

- Together we put together a puzzle piece by piece, with the goal of creating the right conditions for both us and our customers to develop. That is the only thing that is given from the beginning, everything else we must have an open mind for," concludes Johanna with a smile.

Curious to know more about this project or how we work with our customers?

Welcome to talk more with Johanna Willander

+46 765 33 5052
johanna.willander@senab.com

Photo: Jeff Richt & Johan Sundell