Denmark – Copenhagen
4 NAMES TO REMEMBER
Ten years after its launch, 3DAYSOFDESIGN, based in the Danish capital, has carved out a place for itself in the hearts of enthusiasts of the discipline.
Fora Projects
Fora Projects is a company that explores the links between furniture and objects. Their pieces, which they present as “well thought-out”, are made from solid natural materials sourced locally near their own production plant on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. Their aim? To inspire more responsible consumption by developing distinctive and meaningful designs that will endure across generations, made with care for craftsmanship and respect for our resources. As the name suggests (“fora” in the plural of “forum” – a space for exchange), their aim is to build on a collective mindset, inviting designers and artists to participate in the development of the publishing house.
Helle Mardahl Studio
Helle Mardahl Studio is where art meets functionality. A meeting of two worlds that generates a dream world of richly coloured, eccentric glass designs. Influenced by nostalgic memories of childhood and iconic films such as Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Helle Mardahl’s glass collection creates a sweet and magical concept. A graduate of London’s venerable Central Saint Martins, Helle Mardahl is an artist and designer who specialises in sculpture, installations and glass art. At once simple and extravagant, each of her pieces is created using the age-old, organic technique of mouth-blown glass, creating unique and singular narratives.
Blå Station
A family business located in what was once a sewing factory in Åhus, on the south-east coast of Sweden, Blå Station is a publishing house as restless as the ocean. Making a point of cultivating curiosity, it continues its search for the unexpected, yet to be discovered. Their participation in 3daysofdesign was an opportunity to discover “Max”, a soft and generous seat designed by Johan Ansander.
Gubi
Straddling the border between historical beauty and contemporary aesthetics, Gubi is one of those publishing houses that celebrates the best of both worlds, both eras. As well as rediscovering and reintroducing lost treasures of design history for generations to come, Gubi collaborates with a hand-picked list of visionary international design studios to create the icons of tomorrow. A visit to Copenhagen was an opportunity to discover reissued classics from GamFratesi, Wikkelsø, Frattini and Tynell, as well as the very New York GUBI x Noah collaboration, inspired by the allure of coastal living.
3daysofdesign was on show in Copenhagen from 7 to 9 June.
Lisa Agostini