What makes a design classic?
Is it form or function? Is it defined by how something looks or how it works?
Perhaps it is down to longevity or timelessness? Is a design classic a product that is built to last, or an item that transcends time and fashion?
In truth a design classic is a combination of all these things, with a dash of something extra that captures attention and sets a benchmark in its category. Admired for all the qualities it represents.
Take the original Land Rover Defender, for example. First introduced in the 1940s, it remained remarkably true to its original design for over 65 years. Its distinctive silhouette and purposeful design became instantly recognisable and widely admired - not just for style, but for substance. Built to handle everything from remote deserts to highland farms, the Defender earned its status as a design classic by proving itself in the toughest environments, time and time again. Its appeal lies in that rare blend of form and function - engineered beauty that stands the test of time.
Surely it qualifies as an automotive design classic.
Le Creuset celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, but with the exception of a nod to fashion with some pastel colour options, the cast-iron kitchen and cookware has hardly changed at all in that century. There are cheaper cast iron options out there, but Le Creuset is the brand that buyers aspire to and that existing owners use for years and years, because it works and it lasts. It's durable, beautiful and perfectly designed for its purpose.
Design classics aren’t the result of fickle fashions and fads, or product innovation that nobody ever asked for. 3D TVs were the future of home entertainment in the early 2010s, but who really wanted to sit on their sofa watching a movie while wearing plastic goggles? No one, it would seem.
Even great innovations come and go, such as the VHS tape, laser discs, and mini-discs. However, the classic black vinyl record has not only weathered the test of time, it has also seen off most of the young pretenders like CDs and MP3s and is quickly returning to the top of the charts as the most popular form of physical recorded music.
What the great design classics all have in common is that they were initially created to fulfil a need. They were built with a purpose in mind, which runs through every design element from the materials used to the ease of operation. Usually, they are developed to overcome a challenge or provide a solution to a problem.
This sense of purpose creates a design that combines exceptional performance and durability, allowing it to outlast trends and become a classic.
NorDan’s StormGuard windows were launched in 1962, combining tradition and purpose to create a design that is still being produced today. In fact, many StormGuard windows are still in place in buildings across Scandinavia and Europe, providing warmth and security, several decades after they were originally installed.
Since the 1960s over eight million StormGuard units have been sold with virtually no call-backs. A product with a 60-year plus life expectancy, backed up with a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty. This is rare in a modern world of built-in-obsolescence and disposable products.
NorDan’s flagship window, StormGuard was designed to withstand harsh Scandinavian winters, crafted from timber, as is the tradition in the region. NorDan’s windows are made from unique engineered timber, using an enhanced vacuum impregnation method to further improve durability and longevity.
The original idea for StormGuard was to create a window that was secure, airtight and easy to clean from the inside. This final requirement may not sound like rocket-science, but how many of us have been able to crack the challenge of cleaning the outside of our windows without a mop and a ladder, usually in the hands of a professional window cleaner. And if the windows are located in a high-rise building, forget it!
The three-handled bolt system on StormGuard windows uses simple internal gearing, making it both easy to operate and highly reliable, while seven locking points ensure maximum security. Handles can be adjusted to suit different user needs — lowered for wheelchair accessibility or removed at the bottom to restrict full opening, making them ideal for environments like hospitals and schools.
As with many classic designs, this means that StormGuard’s purpose-driven qualities have brought it to the attention of architects, builders and homeowners with different but similar needs. In the UK, StormGuard first found favour in Scotland where the winters can be just as harsh Scandinavia, but the range is also perfect for any marine environment or cities with high pollution levels.
As is frequently the case with modern challenges, the solution is often found in existing ideas. So as more UK housing associations look for high performance windows to keep their tenants warm and secure in new social housing developments, NorDan StormGuard window is rapidly becoming a favoured choice.
But more than just being the right choice for today, as with all good designs, StormGuard brings long term benefits. It’s robust, high-performance design – along with the 60-year plus life expectancy and 30-year warranty – mean that StormGuard windows are easier to maintain and will last longer than UPVC equivalents, (usually requiring replacement within 10 to 15 years).
This is a vital consideration for environmental and sustainability issues as well, which are now at the top of every architect, developer and landlord’s agenda. The StormGuard timber-aluminium clad window construction helps reduce embodied carbon during development, while its air-tight design and high-performance glass will help keep properties warmer, reducing operational carbon from heating systems and lowering residents’ fuel bills.
In a world obsessed with the "latest and greatest", there's something wonderfully reassuring about owning a product that is designed to go the distance. We’re proud to call StormGuard a design classic – something that’s not just built for this generation, but the next as well.
Because classic design and innovations don’t fade - they endure. Choosing StormGuard and NorDan isn’t just about today; it’s about securing a future where quality is never compromised.