Bruno Mathsson Design Residency 2025

In May 2025, the second edition of the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency will take place in Värnamo, Sweden. The purpose of the residency is to offer an internationally working designer time for research, development, networking, and focus in a stimulating architectural environment, within the context of Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design and the extensive manufacturing industry of the region.

All international designers, based outside of Sweden are welcome to apply. The resident is offered to stay for a month in a groundbreaking house designed by the influential architect and furniture designer Bruno Mathsson (1907–88). The house, from 1955, is located in Bruno Mathsson’s hometown of Värnamo in Småland, and was originally commissioned by Sven Lundh (founder of Källemo and initiator of Vandalorum).

The Bruno Mathsson Design Residency is run by the Region Jönköping County and Vandalorum. During the residence period, the designer is offered visits to the extensive furniture and manufacturing industry in the Jönköping region, based on the designer’s choice and interests. The designer is also offered a tour to Bruno Mathsson’s private home and the Mathsson Center, and is invited to give a public lecture at Vandalorum during the residence period.

Information about the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency
Location: Värnamo is a town situated in the middle of Småland, about 390 km from Stockholm and 230 km from Copenhagen. The region presents a mixture of forest and lakes. / Language: English, Swedish / Founded: 2023 / Previous recipient: Stephen Burks (2024) / Duration: One month. The dates for 2025 are May 15–June 15.

Who can apply
All international designers based outside of Sweden can apply. You need to have finalized your studies and work professionally in the field of design.

What is included
Included in the residency are travels to and from Värnamo, Sweden, a month stay at the Bruno Mathsson house (as the only occupant), and a stipend of 20 000 SEK to cover living expenses, additional travels, and other personal or professional expenditure.

Deadline: The application deadline is November 12, 2024. The selected designer for the residency of 2025 will be informed within eight weeks from the application deadline.

Application guidelines
Please send the following application documents, as one pdf to bildochform [​at​] rjl.se:
–Project outline specifying why you want to take part of the residency and what you hope to achieve during the residence period (300–500 words)
–CV
–Portfolio (10–15 images)

Jury: Dr. Mateo Kries, Director, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein / Jenny Nordberg, designer, Malmö / Magnus Jonsson, Culture Director, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping / Lennart Alves Gernes, Art and Design Developer, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping / Elna Svenle, Museum Director, Vandalorum, Värnamo.

About Vandalorum: Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design opened in 2011 and is located in Värnamo, Sweden. The museum is built according to an original architectural concept by Renzo Piano, and has a garden by Piet Oudolf. More info about the residency here.

Questions: Questions regarding the residency can be emailed to lennart.alvesgernes [​at​] rjl.se.

The Bruno Mathsson Design Residency is run by Region Jönköping County and Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design and Värnamo Municipality, in collaboration with the entrepreneur and collector Johan Sjöberg, Bruno Mathsson International, and the Karin and Bruno Mathsson Foundation