3 Days of Design 2024
Dare to Dream was the theme of this year’s edition of 3 Days of Design, and dream we truly did.
Once again, all design enthusiasts gathered in Copenhagen to celebrate Scandinavian design. Every single time (and it’s my third time at this event), I’m absolutely marveled at how open and democratic this festival is. The design and architecture community can be very closed and wannabe-exclusive (not gonna lie, it’s one of the reasons I left architecture as a full-time job), but here, that vibe is nowhere to be found. You feel invited, welcomed, and taken care of. It does not matter if you are a full-time designer, just passing by, or, as I’ve been called, a chair enthusiast. Your background does not matter as long as you’re interested.
Scroll through the images below to see and read about my highlights from this year’s edition!
Fritz Hansen & Cobe Architects
I mean, what a treat. Lush, calm, and designed with enormous care, Operaparken, situated between the Opera House and the newly built Papirøen residential development, is a good enough reason to travel to Copenhagen, even outside the design festival season. This year, Fritz Hansen joined efforts with Cobe Architects and filled Operaparken, and its (absolutely magnificent) pavilion, with an exhibition called “Islands of Wellbeing.” Design icons, along with some new designs, were tucked away in small green pockets of Operaparken. Definitely one of the biggest highlights of this edition.
Operaparken by Cobe Architects, for this edition of 3 Days of Design they partnered with Fritz Hansen.
Colors, colors, and once again: COLORS!
For the past two years, the color theme was rather unified across almost every design house taking part in the event. With a few exceptions (such as Montana Furniture), the theme was calm, natural, elegant, and, well, safe. This year, some of the brands were very courageous with colors. It was a real treat; I took tons of pictures as color palette references for my future illustrations!
Photos from: Vitra, GUBI, Rockfon and Montana Furniture.
Rockfon
Sound was a common theme in some of the exhibitions I visited. One of the brands I absolutely fell in love with was Rockfon. With a showroom located by Orientkaj in Nyhavn, they curated a space that truly allows you to experience what they manufacture. Additional points for incorporating colors and art into their space. Their showroom is not normally open to the public, so this was really a treat! If you ever get a chance to visit Rockfon, do not hesitate – we were very welcomed, and the staff was super friendly and eager to introduce the brand.
All photos from Rockfon showroom
Søuld
Now, this is an absolute gem. Very strongly rooted in Danish history and tradition, Søuld creates acoustic materials from eelgrass. It might not sound exciting at first, I know, but believe me, it really is. The brand began by introducing the history of eelgrass usage, working with it before our own eyes, and drawing very clear links to today’s products. A simple but very powerful exhibition and passionate brand representatives make for a long-lasting impression. And the exhibition was on a boat—how cool is that!
Photos from Sould exhibition
Art as a part of any exihibition narrative
Art as a part of any exhibition narrative is something I know was very much the case in past editions. But now that I work with art and paintings daily, I notice it even more and appreciate it on a new level. Carefully curated, both bold and elegant, the artworks displayed in the brands’ showrooms very often served as a key player.
Photo from &Tradition Residences
Photos from &Tradition showrooms & Rockfon showroom.
This year's 3 Days of Design edition was a truly delightful experience. From the serene Operaparken to bold color displays and sustainable materials, each exhibition offered something unique.
I'm eagerly looking forward to next year's edition!
If you want to see more from the 3 Days of Design, you can visit my Instagram account: