Isabella Werner is an interior architect and designer educated in Spatial Design at Konstfack, with a background that bridges design, architecture, and social anthropology. Prior to her design studies, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Anthropology from Stockholm University, specializing in dance. This interdisciplinary foundation informs her approach to design, fostering an understanding of spaces and objects as both cultural and social phenomena, as well as functional and aesthetic ones.
She also holds a Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture and Furniture Design from Konstfack, where her thesis on accessibility in public space was awarded a scholarship from the Konstfack Foundation's Joint Fund for Meritorious Students. The project explored the relationship between people and culturally significant urban environments through the design of a hypothetical public restroom at Slussen metro station in Stockholm.
As part of her Master's degree in Spatial Design at Konstfack, Isabella developed the degree project Strings Attached, which investigates string as a design element in furniture. The project explores flexible and adaptable design solutions that enable objects to endure over time, both physically and emotionally. For Isabella, sustainability extends beyond material choices and production methods; it also concerns the creation of meaningful and lasting relationships between people and objects. Through design, she seeks to encourage greater appreciation for the things that surround us and challenge disposable attitudes toward material culture.
A recurring interest in her work is the relationship between ornament and function. She is particularly drawn to situations where these categories overlap and become inseparable, creating opportunities for new forms of expression. Historical traditions of ornamentation serve as an important source of inspiration, as does Italy, her second home country, whose design culture and rich use of colour continue to influence her practice.
Working across scales, from furniture and objects to larger spatial environments, Isabella approaches design with a strong awareness of the relationship between object and space. Illustration and collage often form part of her design process, helping her situate objects within narratives and spatial contexts. She works with a wide range of materials, including wood, textiles, and glass, and is particularly interested in allowing materials to express their inherent qualities rather than concealing or transforming them.
Her design process is often guided by material exploration and careful observation of spatial contexts. Whether working with furniture, interiors, or installations, Isabella combines conceptual thinking, material sensitivity, and a deep interest in cultural meaning to create work that is both thoughtful and enduring.
