Originally designed for one of Norway's most monumental buildings, the Oslo Stock Exchange, Merkur is a modern take on the archetypal dining chair. Using traditional woodworking techniques to create its timeless form. The name Merkur derives from the god of trade and financial gain in Roman mythology. An important symbol for the stock exchange and depicted as bronze statues both inside and outside the building.

Skogstad & Wærnes is an Oslo-based design studio founded by Norwegian designers Petter Skogstad and Fredrik Wærnes (both b. 1985). Petter and Fredrik met while studying product design at Oslo Metropolitan University and ECAL. Together, they have twenty years experience designing products at Anderssen & Voll, Andreas Engesvikand Snøhetta, collaborating with leading brands from around the world. In 2020, they partnered to establish their own studio, combining skills and experience. The Skogstad & Wærnes studio seeks to approach design in an honest and thoughtful way, driven by the complexity and responsibility of creating new products. Their work covers a variety of fields including furnitures, lighting and objects with passion.