Twelve must-see exhibitions and events at 3 Days of Design
Ahead of 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, we've rounded up 12 unmissable events, including a show on a historic yacht and an exhibition that explores people's perception of plastic.
The festival, which has been dubbed the "second biggest destination for design" – after Milan design week – will be held in the Danish capital from 12 to 14 June.
As its reputation and impact grows, the event has begun attracting big brands from outside Scandinavia as well as local Danish brands.
But 3 Days of Design also hosts a number of exhibitions that showcase emerging designers and focus on collectible and sustainable design.
Here, we have collected 12 events and installations not to be missed during 3 Days of Design and see Dezeen Events Guide's guide to 3 Days of Design 2024 for details of many of the events taking place across the city.
Collage by Frama and Toogood
This year at 3 Days of Design, design brand Frama has collaborated with British designer Faye Toogood on an exhibition called Collage.
Located at Frama's shop in a former apothecary store, the exhibition will comprise a "bold and colourful installation" and include site-specific bespoke furniture.
Frama, Fredericiagade 57, 1310 Copenhagen
Made by Choice
Finnish furniture company Made by Choice will be sailing to Copenhagen on Lycka, a historic yacht that will then serve as an unusual showroom throughout the design festival.
On show at the yacht will be fabrics by textile designer Johanna Gullichsen and products from Made by Choice. Its crew will wear clothes by designer Samu-Jussi Koski, and lighting brand Light Cognitive's products will illuminate the interior.
The yacht will also feature designs by pet brand Studio Kanto.
Lycka Yacht, Refshaleøen, Sønder Hoved, 1432 Copenhagen
Domestic Pleasures by Tableau
Copenhagen studio Tableau will be showing its Domestic Pleasures exhibition across two brand new locations during this year's 3 Days of Design – the Tableau Concept Store and Tableau gallery.
Focusing on the theme of What makes a place a home?, the exhibition will present bespoke work by 10 artists and designers, including Laurids Gallée.
Tableau Gallery, Vimmelskaftet 41A, 2nd floor, 1161 Copenhagen and Tableau Concept Store, St Strandstraede 20, 1255 Copenhagen
Ukurant Unwrapped
Emerging design platform Ukurant's fourth exhibition will showcase emerging designers and explore "how young designers can establish economically sustainable practices".
The installation will feature "experimental work" by 19 young designers , all of whom were chosen for the exhibition after taking part in an open call.
Frederiksholms Kanal 28A, 1220 Copenhagen
Crafting Plastics by Kasper Kyster
Designer Kasper Kyster, one of the co-founders of Ukurant, will also be presenting a solo show at 3 Days of Design. Called Crafting Plastics, it aims to challenge people's perception of plastic as an industrial material.
Kyster has created handcrafted furniture made of plastic in what he calls "a transformation of the industrial to the organic".
Officinet, Bredgade 66, 1260 Copenhagen
The Grand Suite by Helle Mardahl Studio
Glassware designer Helle Mardahl will throw open the doors to her showroom (pictured above at last year's 3 Days of Design) for The Grand Suite exhibition. It "invites you to experience the life of a traveller – an adventurous woman residing in the most luxurious grand suite," the brand said.
Mardahl has also teamed up with Designmuseum Denmark to create The Souvenir Shop, an exhibition and pop-up souvenir shop at the museum, which will celebrate the craftsmanship of glassblowing.
The Grand Suite, Bredgade 38, 2nd floor and The Souvenir Shop, Bredgade 68, 1260 Copenhagen
A Calm Place
Inspired by the 1960s Korshage House (pictured) designed by architect Erik Korshagen, the A Calm Place exhibition was curated by designers Sébastien El Idrissi and Sara de Campos.
It marks the launch of Objective Studies, a digital platform for products and furniture, and will showcase pieces by 10 emerging designers and studios.
Refugio, Nygårdsvej 19, 2100 Copenhagen
Islands of Wellbeing by Fritz Hansen
Danish furniture brand Fritz Hansen will be taking over three harbourside locations for its exhibition Islands of Wellbeing, which will explore design in architecture.
The company will showcase outdoor furniture in the Cobe-designed Operaparken (pictured above), while hospitality designs will be displayed in the neighbouring greenhouse Væksthuset.
Next door at Papirøen, Fritz Hansen will present workplace design inside one of the formerly industrial area's historic warehouses.
Operaparken, Ekvipagemestervej 18, 1438 Copenhagen and Papirøen, Trangravsvej, 1436 Copenhagen
Peach Melba by Peach Corner
Artist-run exhibition venue Peach Corner will be showing the Peach Melba exhibitions, which it describes as a "design dessert", during 3 Days of Design.
Twelve ceramic artists will be showing unusual designs, made using processes including sand-casting and digitally 3D-printed porcelain, with a focus on materiality and craftsmanship.
Frederiksgade 1, 4th floor, room 413, 1265 Copenhagen
Designer Signe Hytte will curate group show Enter the Salon at 3 Days of Design, which aims to merge art and design.
Enter the Salon, which will be held inside a historic townhouse in Copenhagen, will show pieces by international brands including Japanese furniture maker Karimoku and design studios Ladies & Gentlemen Studio and Origin Made.
The Conary, Dronningens Tværgade 26, 1302 Copenhagen
Happy Sobriety by Raawii and Erwan Bouroullec
French designer Erwan Bouroullec will unveil Arba, the first chair designed by his own brand, as part of the Happy Sobriety exhibition with design brand Raawii.
The installation was described as "somewhere between a lab, a bazar and an art gallery" and will also showcase Bouroullec's personal projects, including graphic designs and hand-made furniture.
Etage Projects, Borgergade 15E, 1300 Copenhagen
Framing
The Odd Fellow Palace – a mid-18th-century building in central Copenhagen – is once again hosting the Framing exhibition this year, but it has also expanded into the nearby Harsdorff House on Kongens Nytorv, which is normally closed to the public.
With 46 exhibiting brands, including Savo, Zeitraum (pictured), Tarkett and BoConcept, it looks likely to be a useful destination for those who want to get an insight into contemporary commercial furniture design.
Odd Fellow Palace, Bredgade 28, 1260 Copenhagen
The main photograph is by John William.
3 Days of Design will take place at venues across Copenhagen from 12 to 14 June. For more events, exhibitions and talks in architecture and design visit Dezeen Events Guide.