Hamran Snekkerverksted is a family-run manufacturer of bespoke kitchens, interiors and furniture situated in the west of Norway. Their tailor-made solutions use locally sourced, sustainable materials of the highest quality. Combining modern design principles with a sense of craftsmanship and tradition, Hamran has become a leading supplier in its field; amongst other projects, Hamran provided the interior for Snøhetta’s award-winning underwater restaurant «Under».

In close collaboration with the designers at Studio Oker, the Pyte Foundry developed a bespoke display typeface and custom logotype for Hamran’s identity refurbishing of 2019.

The initial sketches took inspiration from a historical weirdo called «Castor» published by the American type foundry Barnhart Brothers & Spindler in the early 20th century. This whimsical beast combines raw features with elegant details, such as the wedge-shaped serifs.

Slowly deviating from the historical source and carefully polishing its letter shapes, the resulting typeface remains characterful yet displays a composed elegance, solidity and integrity that reflects Hamran's philosophy and aesthetics rooted in Norwegian craft tradition. Thoroughly executed down to the minute detail, the typeface and accompanying logotype lend Hamran’s communication a distinctive and personal tone-of-voice on both printed and digital surfaces.