A competition organized by Bonnier in 1949 provided the platform for the creation of the String bookshelf system, the design that defined the career of Nisse Strinning. This functionalist shelving unit, developed alongside his wife Kajsa Strinning, remains a significant example of Scandinavian modernism, demonstrating his background in architectural training and industrial material application.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1917 within the Gudmundrå parish, Strinning pursued professional training at the KTH School of Architecture between 1940 and 1947. During his student years, he developed a dish rack made from plastic-coated metal wires. Known as elfa, this utility product established his interest in modular, wire-based design, providing a functional foundation for his later work in furniture systems.
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Following the success of the bookshelf system, Strinning moved to establish a formal business structure to support his design practice. He founded String Design AB and Swedish Design AB in 1952. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he and Kajsa Strinning collaborated on a wide range of plastic household items, diversifying their portfolio beyond shelving while maintaining a consistent design language focused on modularity and materials.
Recognition and Exhibitions
Strinning received consistent professional acknowledgment throughout his life. He won the 1949 Bonnier competition and earned a gold medal at the Milan Triennale in 1954. His work appeared in the 1954 Design in Scandinavia exhibition and the 1955 H55 display in Helsingborg. In his later years, he received the Excellent Swedish Design award from Svensk Form in 1993 and 1999, the same year he accepted the organization’s Classic Award. His work continued to feature in international exhibitions through the early 2000s, including the Scandinavian Design Beyond the Myth tour and displays in Paris and Washington D.C.
Fast facts
- Born: 1917, Gudmundrå parish
- Died: 2006, Saltsjöbaden Parish
- Education: KTH School of Architecture, 1940-1947
- Key Design: String bookshelf system, 1949
- Company founded: String Design AB, 1952
- Company founded: Swedish Design AB, 1952
- 1954 Award: Gold medal, Triennale, Milan
Questions readers ask
What was the String bookshelf system?
It was a modular shelving system designed by Nisse and Kajsa Strinning for a 1949 competition held by the publisher Bonnier.
What did Nisse Strinning design besides shelves?
As a student, he designed a dish rack called elfa made of plastic-coated metal wires. He and his wife also created various plastic items during the 1960s and 1970s.
Achievements
- Trained at KTH School of Architecture
