6 Fresh Ideas Direct From 2020's Nordic Design Scene
Social curves, old pieces and a critical look at greenwashing: read six highlights from 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen
Kasper Iversen
12 September 2020
“What is the big Nordic design trend of 2020?” This question was asked countless times during the 3 Days of Design festival, which normally sees Nordic design aficionados flock to Copenhagen, Denmark, every year. Usually held in the spring, the event was postponed to 3 to 5 September this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although it is a simple question, it is incredibly difficult to answer. This year’s event – where more than 160 design companies and organisations all over Copenhagen opened their doors to the public and offered a sneak peak behind the scenes of the Danish design world – showcased hundreds of clever, interesting, fun and ambitious new ideas from the Nordic design scene.
Not surprisingly, many of these were focused around sustainability, but softness, solutions for small-space living and vintage technology also made it onto this year’s agenda. Here are our top six highlights from 2020’s 3 Days of Design fair.
Although it is a simple question, it is incredibly difficult to answer. This year’s event – where more than 160 design companies and organisations all over Copenhagen opened their doors to the public and offered a sneak peak behind the scenes of the Danish design world – showcased hundreds of clever, interesting, fun and ambitious new ideas from the Nordic design scene.
Not surprisingly, many of these were focused around sustainability, but softness, solutions for small-space living and vintage technology also made it onto this year’s agenda. Here are our top six highlights from 2020’s 3 Days of Design fair.
Designer Rikke Frost poses with her Sideways sofa. Photo from Carl Hansen & Søn
1. Furniture that encourages social interaction
In a world where we spend more and more time looking at our screens – especially during these times of lockdown and social distancing – human interaction is high up on many people’s wish lists. Danish designer Rikke Frost’s Sideways sofa for Carl Hansen & Søn aims to encourage social interaction.
1. Furniture that encourages social interaction
In a world where we spend more and more time looking at our screens – especially during these times of lockdown and social distancing – human interaction is high up on many people’s wish lists. Danish designer Rikke Frost’s Sideways sofa for Carl Hansen & Søn aims to encourage social interaction.
The Sideways sofa. Photo from Carl Hansen & Søn
“On many sofas you sit right next to each other, which can feel a bit intimidating, or you’re sitting straight in front of each other, which can feel a bit awkward for an informal, social interaction. I wanted to create a sofa where you sit at a slight angle as this encourages more natural conversation,” Frost explains in her presentation of Sideways at the Carl Hansen & Søn flagship store in the centre of Copenhagen.
“Communication is being challenged by tablets and other digital equipment, so I wanted to make a sofa where it feels more natural for people to talk to each other.”
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“On many sofas you sit right next to each other, which can feel a bit intimidating, or you’re sitting straight in front of each other, which can feel a bit awkward for an informal, social interaction. I wanted to create a sofa where you sit at a slight angle as this encourages more natural conversation,” Frost explains in her presentation of Sideways at the Carl Hansen & Søn flagship store in the centre of Copenhagen.
“Communication is being challenged by tablets and other digital equipment, so I wanted to make a sofa where it feels more natural for people to talk to each other.”
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ANZA collection by Rui Pereira and Ryosuke Fukusada. Photo from Please Wait to be Seated
2. Soft, round and curvy
In a difficult world, is there anything more comforting than easing into a soft piece of furniture with curvy corners or maybe no corners at all? While we don’t know that this is the definitive reason for the trend, we did spot a disproportionate number of plush design pieces in comforting shapes.
2. Soft, round and curvy
In a difficult world, is there anything more comforting than easing into a soft piece of furniture with curvy corners or maybe no corners at all? While we don’t know that this is the definitive reason for the trend, we did spot a disproportionate number of plush design pieces in comforting shapes.
The Sequoia Pouf by Space Copenhagen. Photo from Fredericia Furniture
The Sequoia Pouf in fluffy sheepskin, designed by Space Copenhagen for Fredericia Furniture, is a great example of this cushy trend. The eye-catching benches and poufs of the ANZA collection from Please Wait to be Seated is yet more corner-free proof that the world is becoming increasingly fond of soft spots.
If there hadn’t been thousands of other interesting designs to explore, we could easily have cuddled up with this soft trend for the entire 3 Days of Design.
The Sequoia Pouf in fluffy sheepskin, designed by Space Copenhagen for Fredericia Furniture, is a great example of this cushy trend. The eye-catching benches and poufs of the ANZA collection from Please Wait to be Seated is yet more corner-free proof that the world is becoming increasingly fond of soft spots.
If there hadn’t been thousands of other interesting designs to explore, we could easily have cuddled up with this soft trend for the entire 3 Days of Design.
The Angle Stool. Photo from Form & Refine
3. Space-saving and multi-functional solutions for small living
Recent years have seen a battle for space in many cities around the world, with home sizes dwindling. This tendency requires smart, multi-functional and space-saving design, which is appearing more and more often on the Nordic design scene.
A great example is the Angle Stool from Danish design brand Form & Refine. The foldable form allows the stool to be hung on the wall when not in use: a solid brass hook is included.
3. Space-saving and multi-functional solutions for small living
Recent years have seen a battle for space in many cities around the world, with home sizes dwindling. This tendency requires smart, multi-functional and space-saving design, which is appearing more and more often on the Nordic design scene.
A great example is the Angle Stool from Danish design brand Form & Refine. The foldable form allows the stool to be hung on the wall when not in use: a solid brass hook is included.
Terra collection planters. Photo from Georg Jensen
Another new example of multi-functional design is the Terra collection, a series of plant accessories designed by the Norwegian architecture and design practice Snøhetta for the Danish silversmith and high-end design brand Georg Jensen.
Three of the collection’s stainless steel planters are reversible: as a small plant grows, the planter can be turned upside down for more volume in one design piece. In this way, it offers two display options in one.
Another new example of multi-functional design is the Terra collection, a series of plant accessories designed by the Norwegian architecture and design practice Snøhetta for the Danish silversmith and high-end design brand Georg Jensen.
Three of the collection’s stainless steel planters are reversible: as a small plant grows, the planter can be turned upside down for more volume in one design piece. In this way, it offers two display options in one.
Beogram 4000 series turntable. Photo from Bang & Olufsen
4. Repairing and reselling old classics
Relaunching old furniture design from the 1950s and ’60s – or delving into the archives to find ‘new’ designs by the big designers from the golden age of Nordic furniture – is a popular (and slightly controversial) way for many companies to shape their new offerings. But why produce new (old) furniture, when you can update the originals?
The Danish high-end radio and TV manufacturer Bang & Olufsen is now launching a project where it buys back and restores some of the most iconic design pieces from previous decades. Beogram 4000 series turntables, designed in 1972 by Jacob Jensen, are the first products to get the refurb treatment, followed by a number of not yet revealed classics from Bang & Olufsen. Buying one of these old products that has been restored by hand is not just a way of adding a unique piece of history and craftsmanship to your home – it is also much more sustainable than buying completely new electronics.
4. Repairing and reselling old classics
Relaunching old furniture design from the 1950s and ’60s – or delving into the archives to find ‘new’ designs by the big designers from the golden age of Nordic furniture – is a popular (and slightly controversial) way for many companies to shape their new offerings. But why produce new (old) furniture, when you can update the originals?
The Danish high-end radio and TV manufacturer Bang & Olufsen is now launching a project where it buys back and restores some of the most iconic design pieces from previous decades. Beogram 4000 series turntables, designed in 1972 by Jacob Jensen, are the first products to get the refurb treatment, followed by a number of not yet revealed classics from Bang & Olufsen. Buying one of these old products that has been restored by hand is not just a way of adding a unique piece of history and craftsmanship to your home – it is also much more sustainable than buying completely new electronics.
From the ‘Home of a Collector’ exhibition. Photo from Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers
5. Old and new in a trendy, creative and sustainable mix
Home decor often involves a mix of old and new pieces. During this year’s event, design brand &Tradition and auction house Bruun Rasmussen raised this concept to a whole new level in their ‘Home of a Collector’ exhibition.
The two companies took over and furnished the old grandiose Lindencrone Mansion in the very centre of Copenhagen, showcasing a century of design from &Tradition alongside vintage art and furniture pieces being sold on auction by Bruun Rasmussen later in September. The latter included Russian brass-mounted mahogany chairs from 1850, a bar cabinet by Danish Lysberg, Hansen & Therp from the 1950s and various modernist bronze sculptures of human forms with an estimated value between USD$1,500 and $6,000.
Browse more beautiful living rooms
5. Old and new in a trendy, creative and sustainable mix
Home decor often involves a mix of old and new pieces. During this year’s event, design brand &Tradition and auction house Bruun Rasmussen raised this concept to a whole new level in their ‘Home of a Collector’ exhibition.
The two companies took over and furnished the old grandiose Lindencrone Mansion in the very centre of Copenhagen, showcasing a century of design from &Tradition alongside vintage art and furniture pieces being sold on auction by Bruun Rasmussen later in September. The latter included Russian brass-mounted mahogany chairs from 1850, a bar cabinet by Danish Lysberg, Hansen & Therp from the 1950s and various modernist bronze sculptures of human forms with an estimated value between USD$1,500 and $6,000.
Browse more beautiful living rooms
From the ‘Home of a Collector’ exhibition. Photo from Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers
Mixing old and new – in budget-friendly interiors as well as on a more refined level – is not just an injection of personality into an interior, it also points to the core of a sustainable furnishing mantra: don’t buy new if you can find good second-hand items or already have pieces that work. And if it is time for something new, it makes sense to go for good-quality, long-lasting designs with a timeless look to match your existing interior.
Mixing old and new – in budget-friendly interiors as well as on a more refined level – is not just an injection of personality into an interior, it also points to the core of a sustainable furnishing mantra: don’t buy new if you can find good second-hand items or already have pieces that work. And if it is time for something new, it makes sense to go for good-quality, long-lasting designs with a timeless look to match your existing interior.
Designed in 1955 and still extremely popular, Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 chairs produced by Fritz Hansen have proven to be aesthetically sustainable
6. Sharpen your greenwashing detector
Sustainability is the biggest buzzword in the design industry right now – in Denmark as well as in the rest of the world. Today, many companies no longer question the value of a sustainable approach, but rather seek the best ways to become green and environmentally friendly brands.
But when everyone fights to be – or at least to appear – greener than their competitors, there is a risk that some companies deliver more promises about how sustainable their materials, production, shipping and products are for the planet, than actual green results. This is called greenwashing, and during the ‘Danish Design 2.0’ panel discussion, various designers stressed the importance of consumer awareness of the phenomenon.
“Of course a lot of companies are talking about sustainability in all their product marketing,” says Danish industrial designer Kasper Salto. What’s unacceptable, he suggests, is when action doesn’t follow these promises.
6. Sharpen your greenwashing detector
Sustainability is the biggest buzzword in the design industry right now – in Denmark as well as in the rest of the world. Today, many companies no longer question the value of a sustainable approach, but rather seek the best ways to become green and environmentally friendly brands.
But when everyone fights to be – or at least to appear – greener than their competitors, there is a risk that some companies deliver more promises about how sustainable their materials, production, shipping and products are for the planet, than actual green results. This is called greenwashing, and during the ‘Danish Design 2.0’ panel discussion, various designers stressed the importance of consumer awareness of the phenomenon.
“Of course a lot of companies are talking about sustainability in all their product marketing,” says Danish industrial designer Kasper Salto. What’s unacceptable, he suggests, is when action doesn’t follow these promises.
The iconic 3-shade PH lamps by Poul Henningsen are another great example of design that’s stood the test of time. They were designed in 1925-26 and remain one of manufacturer Louis Poulsen’s bestsellers
Production that is not exactly carbon-neutral is often defended with the argument that high-quality products, which will last for generations, may be much more sustainable in the long run than a product that has a smaller upfront footprint.
But it is too easy to claim that a product will stay relevant for generations when one don’t really know that, says Kristine Juul Pedersen, senior designer and sustainability manager at Ferm Living. “There is also a lot of greenwashing when you talk about aesthetic sustainability, because it is a phrase that you can easily say: ‘Yeah, it will last forever’ and ‘You will pass it on, so it’s sustainable in that way,’ but that is a discussion with more layers,” she says.
We are sure to see more greenwashing in the years to come, so it’s important to be aware and critical of arguments that seem too green to be true.
Your turn
Which of these six design directions are you keen to embrace? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Are you up-to-date with the latest in international design? Catch up here with 9 Things We Learnt About Our Homes From Designscape in the UK
Production that is not exactly carbon-neutral is often defended with the argument that high-quality products, which will last for generations, may be much more sustainable in the long run than a product that has a smaller upfront footprint.
But it is too easy to claim that a product will stay relevant for generations when one don’t really know that, says Kristine Juul Pedersen, senior designer and sustainability manager at Ferm Living. “There is also a lot of greenwashing when you talk about aesthetic sustainability, because it is a phrase that you can easily say: ‘Yeah, it will last forever’ and ‘You will pass it on, so it’s sustainable in that way,’ but that is a discussion with more layers,” she says.
We are sure to see more greenwashing in the years to come, so it’s important to be aware and critical of arguments that seem too green to be true.
Your turn
Which of these six design directions are you keen to embrace? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Are you up-to-date with the latest in international design? Catch up here with 9 Things We Learnt About Our Homes From Designscape in the UK
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What a spectacular article
1. Love Nordic Design
2. Love sitting at an angle to others
3. Georg Jensen's aesthetics are a favourite of mine
4. Greenwashing is so extremely relevant right now and longevity is the last resort when it comes to sustainable tactics
We have the beautiful Danish designed le feu Fire - we just live it! And so are our clients https://www.morley-stoves.co.uk/stoves/Le-Feu-(bioethanol-fires)-c58678230
Love the mixture of Nordic furniture with ethnic Moroccan rugs. Two different cultures that seem to blend well in one space. Check out our store and the vast collection of beautiful handmade Moroccan rugs we carry:
https://bohoconvention.com