3daysofdesign 2025: design with purpose (2/2)
For three extraordinary days in June, Copenhagen once again became the global epicentre of design innovation with a new edition of 3daysofdesign, this year centred around the powerful theme KEEP IT REAL. With 469 carefully curated exhibitions and over 60,000 registered visitors from 127 countries, the Danish capital pulsed with energy, creativity and a genuine spirit of community.


This year’s edition didn’t just showcase design — it embodied it. Across the city’s eight Design Districts, a rich programme of immersive installations, open studios, guided tours, rooftop gatherings and meaningful conversations revealed what design can achieve when driven by authenticity and purpose.
From established studios to emerging talents, each participant offered not only products but ideas imbued with meaning, emotion and social relevance. The festival made its message loud and clear: design is not about status, hierarchy or exclusivity — it’s about people. It’s about being inclusive, sustainable and human.
“Inspiration flowed freely in every corner of the city”, noted Signe Byrdal Terenziani, CEO of 3daysofdesign. “This year we witnessed a collective expression of creativity in its most transformative form: curious, bold and deeply collaborative”.
The theme KEEP IT REAL resonated as a unifying thread throughout every exhibition and experience — in the materials used, in the craftsmanship on display, in the stories shared and in the sincere connections forged. From a tactile exploration of natural textures to an introspective installation on mental wellbeing, design was not only seen — it was felt.

More than a design event, 3daysofdesign 2025 became a cultural phenomenon, turning the entire city into a living platform for ideas. And while the numbers reflect its vast reach and impact, what truly defined this edition was something far more intangible: a deep, shared sense of purpose and connection.
The result? A powerful demonstration that great design does not divide — it unites.
Now, as the design world looks ahead to the next edition (from 10 to 12 June 2026), one thing is clear: in Copenhagen, design has not only found a home — it has found a heartbeat.
Highlights and presentations
As you might imagine, this edition featured countless remarkable proposals, launches and unforgettable installations. That’s why we’ve selected some of the festival’s most exciting inspirations.
Here begins our second journey through the brands, spaces and ideas that most moved us in this vibrant edition of 3daysofdesign 2025. If you missed the first part of our coverage, you can find it here: 3daysofdesign 2025 – Design with purpose (1/2).
FRITZ HANSEN: “Shaping Lasting Design” — Hospitality and legacy
Fritz Hansen celebrated 153 years of Danish design, craftsmanship and innovation with Shaping Lasting Design — a dual showcase exploring the dialogue between heritage and modernity. On one side, the brand hosted a gastronomic pop-up in Orangeriet, right in the heart of the King’s Garden, where design met hospitality in a refined yet relaxed setting. On the other, its Copenhagen Flagship Store was transformed into an experiential centre celebrating the brand’s past, present and future — from archive pieces to new launches, including live demonstrations of restoration and assembly.

The exhibition captured the essence of Fritz Hansen as a symbol of enduring design — a philosophy that sees aesthetics not as trend, but as a functional and emotional legacy for generations to come.
A–N–D: Design, light and sips of creativity
During the festival, A–N–D transformed a gallery into a vibrant space with Café A–N–D Bar, an ephemeral exhibition where their iconic luminaires coexisted with BOON_Editions furniture and handcrafted glass from J. Hill’s Standard. At the entrance, La Marzocco, alongside rRebel and Sensei, served bespoke coffee, while pieces by OS&OOS and Peet Broek complemented the atmosphere. As dusk fell, the café evolved into an alcohol-free cocktail bar featuring Mood Drinks.

MULLER VAN SEVEREN × OFFICE KGDVS × BD Barcelona: RASTER — Modular elegance between art and architecture
Belgian firm Muller Van Severen joined forces with OFFICE KGDVS and BD Barcelona to unveil RASTERS, a collection of cabinets and screens inspired by sculpture and architecture. At first glance, RASTERS is built on an industrial grid structure, but after evaluating environmental impact, this was replaced with lacquered solid beech and beech veneered MDF, paired with powder coated steel for doors and panels. Moulded polyamide connectors allow flexible assembly — units can grow horizontally without limit.

The range is defined by chromatic lightness — a balance of natural wood and coloured metal — giving each piece a contemporary, emotive presence. Designed for domestic, work and hybrid environments, RASTERS combines timeless aesthetics with peak functionality and sustainability, meeting real organisational and spatial needs.
KVADRAT: Sensory frequencies and enveloping acoustics
Kvadrat introduced Frequency, a curtain and rug collection exploring light, colour and movement through the concept of frequency. Led by Isa Glink with Studio Meyers & Fügmann and Studio Greiling, the collection merges advanced spinning, weaving, printing and dyeing techniques with regenerative materials like alpaca, llama and pineapple leaf fibre (PALF), alongside recyclable fibres such as Trevira CS, organic cotton and hemp.

Structurally complex, prismatic fabrics play with light and shadow, creating subtle visual rhythms. Double-layered curtains like Sideway, Set In and Reverse feature reversible tones that change with light and perspective.
Rugs Souma and Souma Stripe continue this narrative through rhythmic textures and refined touch, extending the Kelim family with purist, natural palettes. Frequency showcases how Kvadrat is redefining the interplay between design, sensory experience and regenerative materials — with pieces that resonate with daily life and ambience.
Additionally, the brand unveiled Waves, an acoustic curtain for multifunctional spaces in industrial refurbishments and cultural venues. Composed of three or four layers with Greenguard Gold-certified fabrics — including Divina, Steelcut and Remix Flow — the curtain achieves significant noise reduction (up to 15 dB, or 70%) and features an elegant drape thanks to patented tapes and hooks. With spans up to 5?m and adaptable rails, Waves is a technical yet aesthetic solution that offers acoustic privacy without sacrificing design. Easy to remove for cleaning, this curtain confirms Kvadrat‘s prominence in marrying aesthetic sensitivity, technical innovation and ecological awareness.
OCCHIO: Light, colour and lifestyle
Occhio reaffirmed its commitment to the “new culture of light”, where illumination not only beautifies but transforms quality of life. Renowned for its holistic approach and impeccable German design, the brand has established itself as a European leader in luxury lighting, evolving toward international reach while melding technology, aesthetics and sensory experience.

This year, Occhio surprised with colours by Occhio, a new chromatic palette that reinterprets its iconic restraint. Four new tones — sophisticated, vibrant and characterful — expand the creative potential of its collections, allowing fixtures to engage with more eclectic and bold styles without losing their essential elegance. This offering not only adds colour but attitude, proposing a new way to experience light: expressive, emotional and contemporary. With this move, Occhio shows that designer lighting can indeed be versatile, joyful and personal.
ROCKFON: Acoustic design for holistic well being
Rockfon underlined its leadership in sustainable, high?performance acoustic solutions with a proposition that went far beyond noise control. In its Copenhagen showroom — designed by Spacon & X — the brand invited visitors to explore Worlds Within, a multisensory experience demonstrating how stone wool can transform spaces to foster creativity, comfort, human connection and sustainability.

Rockfon demonstrated that acoustics can be a strategic ally in contemporary architecture. Its ceilings, panels, islands, baffles and customizable dividers not only reduce noise but also promote health, enhance productivity and elevate overall well?being in schools, offices, hospitals and other demanding environments.
Made from recyclable, durable materials, their products combine aesthetics, functionality and circularity, proposing a new way to approach interior design — one where sound, materials and people harmoniously coexist.
DDCATED Design Hub: A crucible of contemporary talent in the Lapidarium of Kings
One of the most magical and distinctive venues of 3daysofdesign 2025 was undoubtedly the Lapidarium of Kings, an historic museum in central Copenhagen, which became the stage for DDcated Design Hub.
This enchanting setting brought together over 50 brands — from what lies minimalist wooden furniture by Cadot Design, handcrafted rugs by Designercarpets Drechsle, sculptural utility objects by Grape, art-meets-function furniture by Ibride, to playful homeware by Nobodinoz. The presence of Public Crafts and Patch Design added artisanal, sustainable flair, while Impact Acoustic infused technical innovation into this multidisciplinary environment.
One of the freshest contributions came from 4AM Studio, a collective founded in 2024 by four graduates from Camberwell College of Arts. Specialising in functional, playful ceramics, their pieces reinterpret small daily gestures with beauty, joy and utility — crafted to offer comfort and delight after a long day.

Inserted among century-old sculptures, these creators offered a vibrant dialogue between past and present, tradition and avant-garde — elevating design into an emotional, cultural and aesthetic experience. DDcated thus became an essential stop for design enthusiasts seeking unique proposals in an authentic, inspiring format.
+HALLE: Design that adapts, breathes and transforms
+Halle once again demonstrated why it is one of the most innovative names in current Scandinavian design. Their ADP bench, developed with Spacon & X, was among the festival’s most visible and functional elements.
Placed in key locations such as their showroom and the shared exhibition Other Circle, this bench offers a circular seating topology at different heights — inviting rest, social interaction or simple contemplation. Its fluid form not only enhances the space but actively responds to human behaviour — fulfilling +Halle’s mission to design out of empathy and observation.

Alongside, the standout piece was the Shrinx lounge chair, a remarkable design by Boris Berlin that defies industry norms by completely eliminating polyurethane foam — one of the most polluting and difficult-to-recycle materials in upholstered furniture. In its place, Berlin uses a steel frame covered with pre-sewn textile that, when heated, contracts and tightens to provide a comfortable, ergonomic surface. Light, visually discreet and structurally honest, Shrinx proves that comfort can be created responsibly.
ALPI: When wood becomes art
ALPI captivated visitors with an installation that masterfully conversed with both classical past and contemporary design. Titled Echoes of Form: classical shape, contemporary language, the Italian brand — renowned for its expertise in reconstituted woods — presented a display curated by GamFratesi within the stately Thorvaldsens Museum.

Inspired by Bertel Thorvaldsen’s neoclassical sculptures and the museum’s geometric interiors, the installation explored wood’s expressive potential through volumes that played with light, pattern and texture. The experience began with a sculptural welcome counter, blending the warm grain of ALPI Xilo Walnut Striped with the deep hues of ALPI Makassar Ebony — achieving a perfect balance of sobriety and sophistication.
At the installation’s heart lay fourteen wooden totems atop pedestals, engaging in an abstract dialogue with the surrounding architecture. Each piece was veneered to designs by eminent founders such as nendo, Konstantin Grcic, Piero Lissoni, Estúdio Campana and GamFratesi — showcasing the material’s aesthetic versatility.
The result was a choreography of forms that united the past and present, technique and intuition, art and design.
Echoes of Form marks the latest chapter in a series of curatorial projects ALPI has run over the past eight years — reaffirming its commitment to formal innovation, artistic collaboration and sustainable wood practices.
SANCAL × PAPER COLLECTIVE: Between Light and Matter
Sancal and Paper Collective fused art, furniture and graphics in an exhibition celebrating boundless creativity. Titled Let the Light In, the show took place in a historic apartment opposite Designmuseum Danmark, transformed into a set of immersive rooms exploring the relationship between design, emotion and artistic expression.

Each room posed a provocative question: can art live in the home? Can a lounge become a gallery? What if a watercolor were applied to furniture? Amid sculptural sofas, watercolour-dyed furniture and graphic works by Lex Pott, Studiopepe and Raw Color, the exhibition demonstrated that art can be lived and design can move.
Sancal brought its Mediterranean vision through bold, expressive pieces; Paper Collective added Nordic, artistic sensibility. Together, they created a multisensory journey connecting the graphic with the tangible, the everyday with the extraordinary.
MONICA FÖRSTER × FOGIA present Kern: Sculptural sustainability in its purest form
Fogia and award-winning designer Monica Förster unveiled Kern, a new table system redefining sculptural form using a revolutionary material: OUTT, made from marble quarry waste from northern Italy. The launch took place in a charming central Copenhagen venue — a perfect backdrop to highlight the collection’s poetic materiality.

With asymmetrical lines, modular forms and finishes in white, grey or terracotta, each piece offers a softened brutalist expression with hand-forged edges — ensuring every table is unique. More than furniture, Kern are soul?filled, tactile objects full of character. Designed for indoor and outdoor use, they evoke an elegant tension between mass and lightness, the primordial and the contemporary.
“Designing with OUTT has felt like finding poetry in the unexpected”, says Förster. True to Fogia’s exploratory spirit, these pieces emerge from a collaboration combining innovation, emotion and strong material awareness.
MONTANA presents Paradigm: A renewed modular icon
Montana Furniture has relaunched Paradigm, the legendary modular sofa system designed by Erik Rasmussen in 1969, showcased in a bright, contemporary Copenhagen showroom.
Sculptural in form and functionally adaptable, Paradigm maintains its original essence whilst embracing new Kvadrat and Gabriel fabrics, secure connectors, removable covers and fully replaceable components — enhancing its durability and sustainability.

Available in a broad colour range, with optional high legs for easy cleaning and flame-resistant foam, Paradigm becomes a versatile piece ideal for both residential and contract or hospitality settings. “Its visual clarity, flexibility and functionality perfectly align with our design DNA”, said Joakim Lassen, CEO of Montana Furniture.
The sofa will be available from September 2025, following its debut at the event. Paradigm marks an exciting expansion of Montana’s creative universe: living, sustainable design built to accompany users through every life stage.
AOT DESIGN: The Beauty of Imperfection
In a cosy Copenhagen townhouse, AOT Design opened its doors to reveal its new collection of handmade lamps. More than a brand, AOT is a family-run initiative fuelled by curiosity and experimentation with unconventional materials.
Far from traditional methods, its processes embrace deliberate “errors”: unorthodox techniques yielding unique, functional and timeless pieces. In this edition, they exhibited table, pendant and chandelier lamps crafted entirely from recycled plastic, in a setting combining unique pieces, their regular range and their real-home atmosphere.

All production takes place in Denmark — either in their workshop or with local manufacturers — reaffirming their commitment to craft and accessibility. A luminous example of how design can be personal, sustainable and profoundly honest.
RYE: The serene refuge of danish bedroom design
Founded in 2016, RYE has cultivated a slow, thoughtful vision of the bedroom—not merely as a functional space, but as a true refuge. Inspired by analogue traditions and calm geometric aesthetics, the Danish brand emphasises slowness, rest and material sensitivity.

During 3daysofdesign, RYE participated in Studio Retreat, an exhibition curated in a studio apartment transformed into a sanctuary of conscious design alongside Motarasu, Søuld and WeDoWood. There, their handcrafted beds — made in Danish workshops from local materials and expert hands — conversed with the texture of wood, sea grass and natural light.
RYE doesn’t seek the spectacular. It seeks the essential: returning to simplicity, to silence, to that which reconnects us with our bodies and surroundings.
(*) Images courtesy of the brands and 3daysofdesign.






