Scandinavian design is a design movement characterized by simplicity, minimalism, democracy, and functionality that emerged from the five Scandinavian nations in the early 20th century and has flourished across the world since the 1950s. Scandinavian designers are known especially for household goods including furniture, textiles, ceramics, lamps, and glass, but the Scandinavian design phenomenon has more recently evolved into industrial design to influence the likes of consumer electronics, mobile phones, and cars. Are we now seeing the latest iteration of the design movement in our urban landscapes as Scandinavian software companies emerge within the smart cities space? In November 2020, US-based software giant Autodesk announced the acquisition of Norwegian urban development startup Spacemaker.ai for a reported $240 million. The all-cash-deal was the latest in a string of acquisitions that underlined Autodesk’s determination to drive digital transformation in the infamously antiquated construction sector. Spacemaker brings a little bit of that Scandinavian design ethos to Autodesk’s broad […]