3 Days of Design in Copenhagen 2022

We visited Copenhagen in June. The weather in early June was so unpredictable that you could experience all four seasons in one day. In the morning, it was cold enough to wear a long-sleeve sweatshirt, but by noon it was warm and I regretted wearing a long-sleeve shirt. Then, it rained again, and I was running around opening and closing my umbrella non-stop.

One of the places I really wanted to visit was the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. I spent 30 minutes taking photos in front of the iconic Giacometti sculptures, trying to capture the perfect shot with the window view. Although the backlight made it difficult to take good portraits, the satisfaction of the experience stayed with me. The museum's landscape design was especially breathtaking. A two-hour visit was far too short, but even just looking at the photos, the memories are vivid. We also had a very interesting interview with the Leap team. They are a group developing alternative leather made from apple juice waste. Since they happened to be in Copenhagen, I had sent several emails before the trip to make sure we could do the interview. I plan to expand on this part in a separate content series.

3 Days of Design

The main event of this trip was 3daysofdesign, a three-day design fair in Copenhagen. Exhibitions were held at showrooms around the city. Depending on the program, you could meet the designers in person or attend seminars on the concept and planning of the products. Unlike large exhibition halls like COEX or Kintex, where everything is concentrated in one place for efficiency, the design fair across the entire city was held at more than 200 locations, making it impossible to see everything despite our best efforts. Today, I would like to introduce the top 10 exhibitions I found most impressive from the ones I visited.

1. The Audo

#CommunityHotel #MenuShowroom #DesignerLounge #MaterialLibrary

The Audo is a showroom and hotel created by the furniture brand Menu, which also functions as a concept store, cafe, lounge, and material library. It’s not just a place filled with Menu products; it also collaborates with various material companies and showcases flooring, wall finishes, textiles, marble, and more. While community-based hotels like Portland's Ace Hotel are becoming more common, this is the first time I've seen a hotel that incorporates a material library inside. Generally, furniture and lighting are chosen at the final stages of a design process, but with the role of the material library and coworking spaces integrated into the space, The Audo allows creators to start the design process right from there. If meetings take place here, the probability of Menu furniture or lighting being used in the project increases significantly. The Audo's unique design, such as its wooden pillars and unique window shapes in the renovated boathouse dating back to 1918, left a lasting impression on me. If Conc continues to grow, we want to add more functions beyond a library to become a space where designers can work flexibly and collaborate.

2. File under pop

#Tiles #Countertops #NaturalBeauty #Color #PopAndHip

File uner pop is a material company that successfully operates in two areas: handmade tiles and paint. When I was asked which material exhibitions stood out at 3daysofdesign, this one was definitely in the top 3. The solid color tiles arranged together had a subtly different tone-on-tone charm. Not only were the colors fascinating, but the range of sizes and the ability to apply them to countertops added to the design's versatility. Although the prices are steep – a 2-meter by 90cm table top without a sink costs €5,000, and with a sink, it’s €10,000, with a production time of 4 to 6 weeks – the design possibilities are definitely worth it.

3. Fritz Hansen

#FritzHansen #150thAnniversary #DenmarkRepresentative #NordicDesign

Fritz Hansen, celebrating its 150th anniversary, is undoubtedly one of Denmark’s most representative brands. The garden and pavilion behind the Fritz Hansen building, as well as the landscaping along the path, were breathtaking. The scale of the space was so grand that it made me wonder if it was appropriate for just one brand. Inside a pavilion made from translucent polycarbonate and wood in a gabled shape, Fritz Hansen’s products were displayed, accompanied by snacks and drinks. Sitting on a bench with coffee and croissants while admiring the beautiful scenery, I couldn't help but feel joy. Fritz Hansen's presence made me think of Denmark’s welfare system. How has such a huge brand managed to become a sustainable design leader over 150 years? I was curious about the path they have taken.

4. Fredericia

#Beauty #Unmatched #BorgeMogensens #SpanishChair

Denmark has many furniture brands with a deep history, some of them over 100 years old. One of these is Fredericia, a company that has been leading Danish modern design with renowned designer Børge Mogensen. Famous works like the J39 and Spanish Chair were created through collaborations with Fredericia. This space was truly beautiful, though I didn’t take many photos, which was a bit disappointing. However, you can still imagine the beauty from the light and color of the space. If you visit 3daysofdesign, I highly recommend visiting Fredericia in the morning. The combination of sunlight, furniture, and people is perfect.

5. Vipp

#PedalBin #Hotel #Vipp

Founded in 1939, Vipp is a representative Danish lifestyle brand. I saw Vipp’s hand wash dispenser in hotels, cafes, and libraries throughout Denmark, which made it easy to understand why it's like Denmark’s Muji. However, their flagship product, the pedal bin, costs around 300,000 KRW, which was surprisingly expensive. Vipp started with everyday household items but now also creates kitchen furniture, lighting, and even modular homes. They have three hotel locations in Denmark, and during 3daysofdesign, they opened the Vipp hotel headquarters for visitors. The hotel, with its expansive over 100-square-meter rooms, served as a showroom for all of Vipp’s products. The evolution from a simple pedal bin to a luxury brand with hotels was fascinating.

6. FRAMA

#MultidisciplinaryArtist #DesignStudio #LivingBrand #Naturalism #AluminumFurniture

Frama can be defined in many ways: design studio, living brand, skincare brand, store, and more. Since its start in 2008 as a design agency, Frama has grown to be well-known for its furniture, becoming a prominent living brand by 2011. I noticed Frama's handwash and hand creams in various exhibition spaces in Copenhagen, which shows the city’s strong affection for local brands. Frama's adjacent cafe, Apotek 57, was also special, with carefully curated dishes, cutlery, and pottery. Their holistic approach to naturalism in design, skincare, and food made it one of the most inspiring brands at the fair.

7. Studio X

#Instagrammable #ConceptStore #DesignStudio

Studio X was a spot I almost missed if it weren’t for running into the Total Marble team from Norman Copenhagen. It initially seemed like just a small showroom and kitchen, but it turned out there was much more – a design studio and shop combined in the next space. Everything in Studio X’s showroom was a display, and the whole environment felt like an Instagrammable moment. It showed how a design studio can excel in curation. The columns and ceiling were sandblasted to reveal their raw texture, and there was even an acrylic display case worth over €10,000. It’s rare to see such a well-curated concept shop alongside a design studio, and it made me realize that Copenhagen is a city where versatile creators thrive.

8. Kristina Dam Studio

#MinimalistSculpture #Terracotta #Objets #10thAnniversary

I stumbled upon this studio, and it was filled with minimalist sculptures made from terracotta, stainless steel, wood, and marble. The designs were simple but had a strong presence, especially with the curves. Materials were sourced from across Europe, including terracotta from Portugal and steel from Poland. At the entrance, a black sculpture marked the studio’s 10th anniversary, and next to it was the latest table design. The space reflected the studio’s dedication to minimalist sculptures over the years and felt solid with the weight of its decade-long history.

9. Tableau

#FlowerShop #ProductDesignStudio #PopupStore

Tableau stood out with its flowers and blue floor. It’s both a flower shop and a design studio, where they create and sell unique vases. They also host pop-up exhibitions, featuring works from external artists. During my visit, they showcased German artist Carsten In Der Elst’s work, including furniture made from industrial waste—like chairs from mattress company foam and sofa frames from metal offcuts. It was a creative use of leftover materials, transforming them into functional and artistic pieces.

10. Caia Leifsdotter, Arc Journal

#PsychedelicMirror #StainlessSteel #MoodBoard

I first noticed Caia Leifsdotter’s works at the 3daysofdesign event. At first, I just admired them and moved on, but when I came across them again, I became curious about the artist and tracked her down. Turns out she works in both interior design and product design. Her portfolio showcases unique shapes that complement the raw textures of materials in an organic way. I also visited a special exhibition curated by Arc Journal, where they displayed a selection of materials and furniture. The calm energy of the space was truly memorable. As a long-time fan of Arc Journal, seeing the magazine’s mood come to life in the display was a unique experience.

We Made a Book!

We created a small book, about 100 pages long, filled with reflections on Copenhagen’s design scene, studios, materials, and our experiences there. The book analyzes why a design fair less than 10 years old has established such a strong presence, with insights from our experiences condensed into 33 scenes. The Copenhagen mini-book is available at the Conc Library. 💕