Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik studied at Bergens Kunsthådverkskole from 1960 -63 and at what today is the Oslo National Academy of the Arts until 1964. After graduation, Opsvik studied ergonomics for Ulrich Burandt in the Volkvansschule für Gestaltung in Essen for a year.
Back in Oslo, Opsvik began working for Tandbergs Radiofabrikk where he stayed for five years. In 1972 Opsvik designed the wooden chair Tripp Trapp for furniture manufacturer Stokke. Tripp Trapp’s seat and footrest are adjustable, which allow children of any age or size to sit at a table with a normal height. In 2016 Tripp Trapp had been sold in over 10 million copies and is a part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Together with Hans Christian Mengshoel, who had made studies on balanced sitting, Opsvik designed the stool Balans Variable which came into production by Stokke in 1979. The stool with bent runners upholstered seat and knee rest was made after in-depth studies of peoples sitting postures. Balans has later been produced in several versions.
From 1974 Opsvik collaborated with the Norwegian office chairs manufacturer HÅG for which he designed several work and conference chairs. Of these, the Capisco, with a seat inspired by a saddle from 1984 is the most known. During the mid 1980’s Opsvik began designing more un-conventional furniture, bordering to art. For manufacturer Kortgård Treindustri, Opsvik made the Cylindra-series, where all pieces were based on the cylinder shape.
After a travel to Mexico, Opsvik was inspired by the natives use of hanging bunks, which led him to, during the late 1990’s, design Swind and Reflex - sitting and resting furniture suspended from a stand or the roof. Opsvik published the book Rethinking sitting, where he presented his design philosophy; that sitting should be inspiring movement. The book has been translated to German and Japanese.
Based in Oslo, Opsvik runs his own design studio working with clients such as HÅG and Varier Furniture. In 2000 the Opsvik family foundes the environment trust The Minor Foundation. In 2014 Opsvik designed the childrens work chair Nomi for the company Evomove.
Peter Opsvik has been awarded several prizes such as the Norwegian Furniture of the Year in 1989, the Torsten and Wanja Söderberg award in 2000, and Red Dot Award, Best of Best in 2014.
