Remember to Play: Highlights from 3 Days of Design 2022.

Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design returned this past June, hot on the heels of Milan Design Week, in what’s shaping up to be a very special summer of design in Europe. With a city-wide showcase of over 200 exhibitions—from new design launches, workshops and talks to viewings and parties, the streets were buzzing with energy and passion. Lucky for us, our friends from Cult had a team of six on the ground to soak up the vibes—and get us the hot scoop—as they reconnected with their exhibiting brand partners including &Tradition, Carl Hansen & Son, Fredericia, Fritz Hansen, GUBI, HAY, Karakter, Louis Poulsen, Mater, Montana and Vipp.

This year’s theme was Remember to Play, a thread that could be found running through the entire festival from showrooms, shops, streets and workshops, to the backyards of Copenhagen. In a true celebration of creativity, the city was alive with a sense of joy where design lovers could re-connect and experience the newest offerings by some of the world’s most iconic brands, artists and creatives.

The fair considered the role of the product and how they can add joy and fun to a post-pandemic world through colour, materiality, interactions and functionality. From a kaleidoscope of colour at the &Tradition exhibition, to HAY’s disco party with Laila Gohar’s big strawberry-topped cake you have to see to believe, the air was filled with optimism.

Over at Louis Poulsen’s headquarters an engaging installation debuted a selection of the designers most iconic pieces in a Pale Rose Finish.

With the launch of Montana Kids, the Danish furniture brand presents a collection of small furniture for the littlest people in the household, created in collaboration with design studio Hvass&Hannibal.

Mater introduced the BM3162 Chair from 1958, designed by the renowned Danish furniture designers and architects Børge Mogensen and Esben Klint—reimagined in upcycled waste materials.

While play was top bill, it was balanced by a sense of responsibility with sustainable materials and processes prioritised across the board for all participants. Mater’s Wastedream show was a great example with the brand introducing archival Borge Morgensen pieces in new recycled materials for their new conscious collection. Henning Larsen also presented a thought-provoking piece with a sustainable pavilion for Fritz Hansen, designed to be packed down and reused time and time again.

At Lifestyle & Design Cluster’s Circular Furniture Days, pioneering Danish brands were at the forefront. Looking to the future, the exhibitors are already moving away from linear to more circular business models, where products are designed, produced and sold with new goals in mind.

Brands also looked to the past, diving back into the archives to reconnect old and new designs. Fritz Hansen re-introduced the PK0 A chair by Poul Kjaerholm, GUBI reissued a Basket sofa/chair by Joe Colombo, HAY presented the Rey chair by Bruno Rey, and the Vega Chair by Vilhelm Lauritzen could be spotted at Carl Hansen & Son.

Now for the highlights from 3 Days of Design 2022, presented in partnership with Cult. Enjoy!

This Yellowtrace Promotion is supported by Cult Design. Like everything we do, our partner content is carefully curated to maintain the utmost relevance to our audience. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Yellowtrace.

VIPP

Vipp debuted a new piece of architecture ‘Vipp Garage’ at their 3 Days of Design event. Designed by Architects Frank Maali and Gemma Lalanda the mid-century garage is a cultural hub for talks, art installations and Vipp’s own Supper clubs. Photo by Rasmus Hjortshoj.

Inside the Vipp Garage. Photo by Rasmus Hjortshoj.

The rooftop terrace with a preview of their latest outdoor furniture collection.

Vipp Garage debuted at the event—a new piece of architecture that acts as a cultural hub for concerts, talks art, exhibitions and supper clubs. The garage opened with an art installation reimagining the art of the dining table, curated by interior designer Julie Moelsgaard with help from concrete masters Pettersen & Hein and glass artist Alexander Kirkeby.

Visitors were also provided access to Vipp’s rooftop terrace, previewing their outdoor furniture collection and pop-up by local Copenhagen bakery, Mirabelle.

FRITZ HANSEN

To celebrate its 150th anniversary Fritz Hansen collaborated with Danish architect Henning Larsen in the Fritz Hansen Pavilion. The brand hosted a series of talks, exhibitions and new product releases within the installation.

Set in the idyllic gardens of Design Museum Denmark, the Fritz Hansen Pavilion was a collaborative project with renowned Danish architects, Henning Larsen. The commemorative installation celebrated Fritz Hansen’s 150th anniversary with a series of design talks, exhibitions and the launch of their anniversary collection including new product releases PK0 A chair and PK60 coffee table, designed by Poul Kjaerholm.

Awarded ‘2022 Best Exhibition’, the Fritz Hansen Pavilion beautifully showcased some of Fritz Hansen’s most iconic designs, while introducing archival and new designs into its comprehensive portfolio.

HAY

At HAY House previews of upcoming collections with Laila Gohar, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec and Viola Heyn-Johnsen and Jonas Trampedach were on show. On Thursday night the brand through a disco party to celebrate 20 years in the business at the iconic Langelinie Pavilion.

A house made of stacked colourful crates caught was a highlight at HAY this year.

HAY’s Anagram Table Lamp in Charred Orange.

HAY’s tall Flare candleholder in Pink, Green and Yellow.

HAY’s Paper Cube floor lamp.

HAY’s Colour cabinets with Glass doors in Yellow and Multi.

The HAY LBM table lamp.

HAY House was thoughtfully refreshed to showcase the brand’s new releases in a playful, engaging way. The tableware collaboration with Laila Gohar, and the house made of stacked colour crates were particular highlights. A preview of upcoming collections were on show including the Pier Storage System by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec and Viola Heyn-Johnsen and Jonas Trampedach’s Parade lighting.

Thursday night’s super fun disco party celebrating 20 years of HAY at the iconic Langelinie Pavilion included a packed dancefloor as the DJ mixed classic disco tunes while the sun set on Copenhagen. The celebrations were capped off with an amazing strawberry birthday cake created by Laila herself.

KARAKTER

Curated by Ark Journal, Karakter presented CO/WORK a design exhibition of icons and new designs that explores the interplay between home and work. 

Gijs Bakker’s GB lounge, originally designed in 1972.

Karakter presented an installation of icons and new designs, showcasing the Danish brand’s portfolio of furniture, lighting and objects.

Curated by Ark Journal, the brand invited guests into their Copenhagen showroom to experience CO/WORK a design exhibition exploring the interplay between home and work. A highlight was the reissued GB Lounge, originally designed by Gijs Bakker in 1972.

HELLE MARDAHL

Helle Mardahl debuted her latest collection ‘Sweet Illusion’ at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design this past June. Inspired by the iconic tales of Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the collection of glass takes guests on a journey to a parallel world of magic, myth and dreams. See more here.

Helle Mardahl Studio operates at the intersection of art and functionality to create a dreamy universe of richly coloured glass designs using the ancient technique of mouth-blowing.

The Studio presented their latest collection Sweet Illusion at their Copenhagen showroom, inspired by the pastel palette Alice in Wonderland and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.

Sweet Illusion by Helle Mardahl Studio.

Inspired by the iconic tales of Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the collection of glass takes guests on a journey to a parallel world of magic, myth and dreams.

&TRADITION

Held in a 20th Century mansion in central Copenhagen ‘The Home of &Tradition’  was an exhibition that invited visitors to experience masterly design with personality. 

Margas Seating by Louise Liljencrantz for &Tradition.

Tabate Wall Lamp by Luca Nichetto for &Tradition.

The Caret Table Lamp by Matteo Fogale for &Tradition.

Studies of a Table invited 5 artists from around the world to interrogate and explore the archetypal table.

&Tradition invited visitors into their home, a 20th-century mansion in central Copenhagen, to experience masterly design with personality in an exhibition entitled The Home of &Tradition. An engaging design talk with Luca Nichetto was held on Thursday where the public could meet the mind behind the designs.

The brand also ran a hybrid art-design exhibition called Studies of a Table that invited 5 artists from Japan, South Africa, LA, India and Denmark to interrogate and push the boundaries of the archetype table.

FREDERICIA

Fredericia welcomed visitors into their Copenhagen showroom. Featuring here the Delphi Elements sofa, Wegner Ox Table, Locus hydro vase and Spanish dining chairs. 

The limited edition Sedge Grass J39 chair by Børge Mogensen.

The Piloti Alu table.

Han’s Wegner’s limited edition Ox Table.

Fredericia welcomed visitors to their Copenhagen showroom to celebrate an iconic jubilee with an exhibition of limited-edition designs, including the Sedge Grass J39 by Børge Mogensen and Hans Wegner’s Ox table.

Highlighting the brand’s take on multifunctional space, the show embraced productivity, casualness and togetherness.

GUBI

Gubi celebrated alfresco living for 3 Days of Design with a one-of-a-kind exhibition of outdoor furniture and new collections by renowned 20th Century designers such as Joe Colombo and GammFratesi.

The Beetle Timber Veneer chair by GamFratesi.

The Gubi Basket chair by Joe Colombo.

Doric Table by GamFratesi for Gubi.

Throughout 3 Days of Design, GUBI presented a special celebration of al fresco living, opening the showroom for a one-of-a-kind exhibition of outdoor furniture.

They also featured new collections by renowned 20th-century visionaries such as Joe Colombo and contemporary design duo GamFratesi.

CARL HANSEN & SON

At their 3 Days of Design exhibition, Carl Hansen & Søn honoured Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects’ 100th year anniversary by bringing back to life some of Lauritzen’s most acclaimed furniture pieces. Here is the Vla26p Vega chair in Oak Lacquer and Black Steel.

FH38 Windsor chair by Frits Henningsen.

In 2022, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects celebrates its 100 years anniversary. Danish master architect Vilhelm Lauritzen has created several of the most iconic buildings in Copenhagen, including the renowned concert halls Radiohuset and Vega.

To honour Lauritzen, Carl Hansen & Søn brings back to life some of his most exceptional works specially designed to adorn these cultural institutions. Highlights include Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects lightweight VLA26 Vega chair and the Windsor Chair by Frits Henningsen.

SHAPED BY SILVER PRESENTED BY GEORG JENSEN

In Shaped by Silver, Georg Jensen local studio Spacon & X. launched an immersive and interactive installation celebrating the brand’s history in silver design and launched an extension of their NENDO collection. Photo by Hedda Rysstad.

Photo by Hedda Rysstad.

Photo by Hedda Rysstad.

Georg Jensen welcomed visitors to its Copenhagen flagship store for the launch of Shaped by Silver, with a new all-immersive and interactive installation designed with local studio Spacon & X.

Spread across two floors the multi-sensory experience celebrated Georg Jensen’s deep roots in silver design. The event introduced an extension of the Nendo collection first launched in silver in 2021 and now crafted in stainless steel.

COLOR BLOCKED BY TARKETT AND RENS STUDIO

Tarkett in collaboration with the Dutch design studio RENS gave obsolete textile tiles a new lease on life in their exhibition COLOUR BLOCKED. Tarkett provided rejected carpet tiles that RENS studio then dyed in various harmonising hues. 

The installation COLOR BLOCKED showed how an existing material can be given new life with the help of colour. Rejected or obsolete textile tiles are dyed in creative colour palettes before eventually being recycled to become new raw material.

Tarkett and the Dutch design studio RENS collaborated on the exhibition to show how an existing material can be given new life with the help of different hues. Tarkett provided carpet tiles that were obsolete or rejected because of colour defects, and Studio RENS found a way to make them harmonize, regardless of their previous tones.

STUDIO X VISIT

The Copenhagen-based interior design practice Studio X opened its doors for a bonanza exhibition spanning multiple areas including the showroom, office, a gallery and even a ‘Studio X Kitchen’ serving coffee and lunch. 

The Copenhagen-based interior design practice Studio X has opened up their showroom for this year’s 3 Days of Design. Spanning multiple areas there is a laboratory, a kitchen, a curated gallery environment and a space where objects graciously intertwine and evolve in endlessly emerging and playful conversations.

In the office ‘next door’, the project team is brainstorming, sketching and bringing various interior projects and custom-made items to life. Next door also featured collaborations with renowned artists and designers and temporary exhibitions taking place. Around the corner from the store, the Studio X kitchen is situated as an extension of their universe, serving fresh coffee and delicious lunch over the course of the festival.

WORKING TITLE

A community of nine creative studios all working in the same space in Copenhagen presented works in progress across the fields of product design, photography and architecture. The Scandanavian-based artist and designer Caisa Leifsdotter presented a few WIPS including this Bow Design Cabinet.

Psychedelic Mirror by Caisa Leifsdotter.

The Silver Root marble dining table by Caisa Leifsdotter.

The Ephyra Bookends by Signe Hytte.

The Ivi Tablelight by Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt for Nilufar Gallery. Photo by Alastair Wiper.

Nine studios on the 4th floor, a community of studios sharing a creative space in downtown Copenhagen opened their doors and shared how, why, and where their work is created.

The studios presented works in progress within high-end product design, photography and architecture.

CHIHARU SHIOTA AT CISTERNE

Multiple Realities by Chiharu Shiota at Cisterne. Photo by Torben Eskerod.

In the exhibition, Multiple Realities, the Japanese-born installation artist, Chiharu Shiota, embraces the unique characteristics of Cisternerne to create a dream-like scenario. The exhibition, which is experienced from walkways, uses the water and the dark repetitive colonnades in the construction of a labyrinthine course. On show until 30th November 2022.

[Photography credits as noted.]