Studio RAM: Infusing architecture with soul, in a modern context

By Malin Norman

Studio RAM creates soulful, elegant spaces where design and conscience meet — inspiring people to live beautifully while shaping a better world. Dedicated to the art of creating sophisticated environments that transcend trends and time, the architects are passionate about the beautiful and iconic, the genuine and humble.

Architectural and interior design firm Studio RAM is based in Stockholm, with activities globally. Founded in 2013, the team consists of a tight group of highly skilled architects with experience ranging from high-end residential to commercial and hospitality projects, real estate development, project management and brand development.

V house.Photo: Mikael Lundblad

Projects include exterior, interior and lighting design, bespoke solutions and furniture, as well as product design “Regardless of the nature of the project, private or commercial, we are dedicated to creating spaces that clients will fall in love with at first sight and continue to thrive in over time,” says Ariel Ramirez, founder and CEO. “Ultimately, we strive to achieve soulful environments that resonate with the lifestyle and ambitions that our clients aspire to.”

Ariel Ramirez,founder and CEO. Photo: Erik Lefvander

Educated in architecture and interior design at schools in Stockholm and New York, Ramirez also spent several years in Japan as a result of a fascination for Japanese architecture and its close relation between built environment and nature. “Diversity and contrasts enhance architecture,” he says. “Studio RAM reflects my background and experience as well as that of the rest of the team, bringing together a wide range of perspectives that enrich the outcome of every project.”

Bank palace. Photo: Studio RAM

A conversation across eras

For Studio RAM, architecture is about creating environments which enrich the lives of its inhabitants. It is about quality, passion and atmosphere. “At the heart of our work is a commitment to excellence and a belief that great architecture can enrich lives,” reflects the founder. “We approach projects with a respect for context; aiming to create spaces that not only meet the needs of today, but stand the test of time while reflecting and cultivating the unique lifestyles and tastes of our clients.”

In Uppsala, a beautiful late 19th century building overlooking the main city square is undergoing a transformation into an elegant coworking space with offices, meeting rooms, lounges, conference and event spaces, a cinema, a gym and a podcasting studio. The existing interior featured two distinct design schemes – the original by architect Ture Stenberg, and the style from the late 1950s when the building was renovated by architect Peter Celsing. Set to open in February next year, the Bank Palace is a project with a deeply rooted concept.

“While making sure to pay respect to both of these eras, we’re adding another layer of sophistication to the interiors and gracing the spaces with the finest vintage eclectic furnishing, art and décor,” says Ramirez. “This is a project where no detail has been left to chance – it’s a testament to our vision that commercial and hospitality interiors are often as much about storytelling as they are about aesthetics, granting an opportunity for the inhabitant to escape the everyday – to dream and to feel inspired.”

Bank palace. Photo: Studio RAM

Between nature and man-made

Similarly, private villas leave room for creative ideas, means Ramirez. An example is the N V house, situated on a beautiful waterfront plot just outside Stockholm. With humility and elegance as guiding principles, the design reflects the geography of the plot and lessens the perceived height of the two storey building, allowing it to blend in harmoniously with its surroundings.

Another standout villa is the HM house, resting majestically atop a steep hill overlooking the Stockholm archipelago. Here, all effort has been made to create a sense of international refinement without losing touch with the surroundings. The house was made to blend in rather than to stand out, and despite the large glass partitions the house appears almost invisible in the landscape.

“When we design a house, we don’t just consider the building itself, but equally important is how it relates to its surroundings,” says the architect. “Even small gestures, such as a courtyard featuring a cherry tree and bushes that nestle in between houses, can do wonders for a harmonious setting between nature and the man-made.”

The human side of architecture

In an era of digital presence and AI, physical places will become even more important, and people will expect more from them, believes Ramirez. Good architecture builds the experience dynamically, all the way from its methodology to the heart of the house. The transition between different spatial features, materials, textures, lights and acoustics all fundamentally affect how we experience it.

“When designing a house, we build a story which starts before the approach and develops as you venture past the entry – all the way to the heart of the house,” adds the architect. “The different parts of the house can be seen as chapters in a book, with different features and tonalities that contribute to the overall experience. A great house, like any great literary work of art, is dynamic in such a way that it evokes an emotional response, and leaves no one untouched.”