Scandinavia House is the home for The American-Scandinavian Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting an educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The Foundation, established in 1910, coordinates and directs an extensive program of events, fellowships, grants, and other cultural activities. The Park Avenue building also houses a children’s learning center, gallery, cafe, gift shop, and administrative offices.

Traditionally, Scandinavian design is characterized by hand craftsmanship, utilitarianism, and unpretentious form. In keeping with this history, the designers favored organic shapes and natural materials for this 28,000-square-foot, six-story building. The end result reflects a strong marriage between architecture and graphic design. A comprehensive environmental graphics, donor recognition, and wayfinding sign program is predominantly comprised of glass and stainless steel, echoing the lines of famed Finnish designer Alvar Aalto. The generosity of major benefactors including Victor Borga, Volvo, IKEA, and Absolut is celebrated in an extensive donor recognition display which is arranged after a traditional Hardanger embroidery pattern; each donor level identified in a different material - gold leaf, silver leaf, and bronze leaf.