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Everything you need to see at 3 Days of Design
Get the lowdown on the biggest launches at Copenhagen’s annual showcase of contemporary design
With just days to go before 3 Days of Design (18-20 June) begins in Copenhagen, we have combed through the festival’s extensive programme to uncover the most exciting product launches, dynamic exhibitions and statement installations to visit. This year, the city’s dynamic design community will reunite for a three-day bonanza under the theme ‘Keep it Real’. As well as familiar favourites, attendees can look forward to an expanded programme with plenty of international debuts, including Material Matters (pictured above) and Australian brand Nau. Here’s what to look out for...
Kvadrat
The Danish fabric brand’s light-filled showroom, which overlooks the city’s northern harbour, is set to be a bustling hub over the course of the three days as two new ranges (‘Frequency’ and ‘Waves’) make their debut appearance. To hear all about the making process and the concept behind ‘Frequency’ (pictured), don’t miss the ELLE Decoration Design Discussion (19 June at 11am), as Kvadrat’s creative director of residential Isa Glink joins our Editor-in-Chief Ben Spriggs to talk about the new curtain fabrics and rug collection. Afterwards, refuel with a meal by renowned chef Mikkel Karstad or enjoy an aperitivo in the new Kvadrat & Vitra Café, which brings together textiles, interiors and food, kvadrat.dk
Fritz Hansen
As well as launching its first ever collaboration with London-based designer Michael Anastassiades (more on that in our July/August issue), Fritz Hansen is running a programme of events under the banner ‘Shaping Lasting Design’. The celebration of the Danish firm’s 153 years of craftsmanship and innovation takes place across two central Copenhagen locations – the flagship store and a pop-up restaurant in Orangeriet, the King’s Garden. Select pieces from the firm’s impressive archive will be used to examine the relationship between heritage and progress and consider how a balance between the two shapes shapes an enduring design legacy. Find the full programme at fritzhansen.com
Petra hotel
&Tradition has partnered with Copenhagen Design Hotels on Petra - a boutique hotel located in a building originally designed in 1943 by renowned architect Kay Fisker. The building has been carefully restored and will open its doors with a special programme of events during 3 Days of Design. Come for the Daily Aperitivo, from 3 - 5pm throughout the week, or join designers Jaime Hayon and Luca Nichetto at 3pm on Wednesday 18 when they will discuss whose work has helped them create their own practices and what they take from their contemporaries today. hotel-petra.com
Material Matters
After three successful editions in London, Material Matters is making its international debut in Christianshavn, Copenhagen. The event, which has become known as the go-to place to discover the latest material trends, will feature a glittering roster of exhibitors across two floors of cultural venue Ukraine House. Don’t miss AHEC Europe’s showcase where the likes of Andu Masebo (work pictured) have crafted pieces from American hardwood, materialmatters.design
Marimekko x Artek Aalto collection
At Marimekko’s showroom, the art of printmaking meets the creative possibilities of wood bending in a furniture collection that brings together two leading Finnish brands, Marimekko and Artek. The collaborative range is made up of three of Alvar Aalto’s design classics, the ‘Stool 60’ (pictured), ‘Table 90D’ and ‘Bench 153B’. Each has been updated with modern marquetry. Three organic, recurring patterns designed by Maija Isola cover each piece, which is produced at Artek’s factory in Turku, Western Finland from Finnish birchwood, marimekko.com; artek.fi.
‘La Pittura’, Emma Kohlmann for Hay
Situated along one of Copenhagen’s main shopping streets, Hay House, with its playful styling and lively colour palette, is always a joy to visit. During 3 Days of Design, there’s even more reason to venture inside, as you’ll be able to shop this striking ceramic tableware range by Massachusetts-based artist Emma Kohlmann. Featuring charming folkloric illustrations, it’s the perfect souvenir or gift to take back home with you, hay.dk
Nau
Australian design brand NAU is debuting at 3 Days of Design, bringing an Aussie edge to this year’s festival. The progressive furniture, lighting and accessories brand will be exhibiting new and existing products in the heart of the Danish capital’s old town, at Galerie Mikael Andersen. Make a beeline for the ‘Cove’ sofa (pictured) by Tom Fereday, which has been updated in warming oak and walnut timber, naudesign.com
Home from Home
Stroll over to the the Rosengård district where British visual artist Charlotte Taylor has transformed the Noura Residency apartments into a living home. Every detail down to the coffee in the kitchen and the bespoke sounds and scents have been selected to create an immersive, personalised space that tells a unique story, studiocharlottetaylor; nouraresidency.com
The Shop
British design firm Tom Dixon Studio will be returning to Copenhagen for 3 Days of Design with a new initiative; a pop-up called The Shop. Located in the heart of the city, the 110 square-metre space is a compact outpost where you can find the brand’s latest releases, including the ‘Press Frosted’ lights (pictured), tomdixon.net
Intersections: A Celebration of Craft, Legacy & What Comes Next
On show at the historic Fredericia headquarters in Copenhagen, ‘Intersections’ explores changing attitudes to design as well as traversing the history behind the brand's expertly crafted furniture. Among the re-releases and new products that are on show is Nanna Ditzel’s ‘Bench for Two’ (pictured), which has been reimagined with Danish design house A. Petersen in three expressive colours, fredericia.com
Time Signature
Cult Danish surface company File Under Pop has been a staple on the 3 Days of Design calendar since it launched in 2013 but this year it is stepping things up with a large exhibition in conjunction with Agape, Davide Groppi, Garde Hvalsøe and V—ZUG. Taking place within its Frederiksgade studio in the heart of Copenhagen, the installation will explore the intersection of light, tactility, colour and form, fileunderpop.com.
From Here Now
Trained eyes may recognise the cubed silhouette of this lamp as its pendant counterpart was released during Milan Design Week earlier this year. Created by lighting designer Lee Broom, the table version is making its first appearance at Broom’s upcoming exhibition ‘From Here Now’. Broom’s first portable piece doesn’t disappoint, leebroom.com
'Paradigm' sofa launch by Montana
Since 1982, this Danish furniture brand has been known for its colourful storage solutions, but now it’s thinking outside the box, as it launches its first-ever sofa at 3DaysofDesign. Originally designed by Erik Rasmussen and produced by Paustian, Montana’s updated version of the modular sofa is glue-less and has removable covers – a mark of the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Be among the first to see it at Montana’s showroom, montanafurniture.com
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