7 Ways Sustainability is Changing Danish Design
This year's 3 Days of Design festival highlighted the many ways Danish manufacturers approach sustainable furniture
Kasper Iversen
1 June 2019
Sustainability is one of the biggest buzzwords in the design industry right now. This year’s 3 Days of Design festival in Copenhagen, Denmark (held from 23 to 25 May 2019), demonstrated that there are many approaches to environmentally friendly furniture, beyond just measuring the carbon footprint of design or production.
The annual event hosts over 150 design companies and organisations for a look behind the scenes of the Danish design world.
The latest edition of the fair offered many insights into how Danish companies work with the various dimensions of sustainability in order to create future-proof design and a more climate-friendly and environmentally-conscious world.
Find an interior designer or decorator near you to design your interiors sustainably
Find an interior designer or decorator near you to design your interiors sustainably
Table from the Post collection by Cecilie Manz for Fredericia Furniture
1. Design to pass down to future generations
One of the most obvious paths to sustainable design is making furniture that lasts long into the future – both physically and aesthetically. This was the mantra of many of the companies and designers at this year’s fair.
One of these was Fredericia Furniture, which collaborated with Danish designer Cecilie Manz to create Post, their new dining table and chair collection.
1. Design to pass down to future generations
One of the most obvious paths to sustainable design is making furniture that lasts long into the future – both physically and aesthetically. This was the mantra of many of the companies and designers at this year’s fair.
One of these was Fredericia Furniture, which collaborated with Danish designer Cecilie Manz to create Post, their new dining table and chair collection.
Chair from the Post collection by Cecilie Manz for Fredericia Furniture
This design is so classic and timeless in expression, materials and durability that it is sure to endure through the generations. To Manz, it is this that defines high-quality, durable and sustainable design: “My children must be able to inherit it,” she says.
Manz doesn’t believe in designing new products just for the sake of making something new; for her it’s important to have a good reason. “Function is essential, and if I can’t formulate a good argument for creating a new product, it’s better not to make anything at all,” she says.
This design is so classic and timeless in expression, materials and durability that it is sure to endure through the generations. To Manz, it is this that defines high-quality, durable and sustainable design: “My children must be able to inherit it,” she says.
Manz doesn’t believe in designing new products just for the sake of making something new; for her it’s important to have a good reason. “Function is essential, and if I can’t formulate a good argument for creating a new product, it’s better not to make anything at all,” she says.
One of the custom kitchens designed by Nicolaj Bo
2. Unique kitchens last a lifetime
Another approach to long-lasting furniture is tailoring it perfectly to the needs and home of the client. This is the driving philosophy of Danish kitchen company Nicolaj Bo.
“We have no standard solutions,” says owner and founder Nicolaj Bo. “Everything is designed specifically for and with the individual client and for the specific home, so the kitchen fits perfectly with the size of the room, its height and dimensions. We do this because the composition of kitchen cabinets means everything.”
2. Unique kitchens last a lifetime
Another approach to long-lasting furniture is tailoring it perfectly to the needs and home of the client. This is the driving philosophy of Danish kitchen company Nicolaj Bo.
“We have no standard solutions,” says owner and founder Nicolaj Bo. “Everything is designed specifically for and with the individual client and for the specific home, so the kitchen fits perfectly with the size of the room, its height and dimensions. We do this because the composition of kitchen cabinets means everything.”
However, it is also important that the kitchen design and style match the home as a whole. “The kitchen must be part of the context of the whole house and not a showpiece in itself, because showpieces start to feel typical of their time. And in terms of sustainability, short-term trends are probably the biggest problem, because these time-sensitive showpieces don’t last in the long run,” says Bo.
Danish furniture company Københavns Møbelsnedkeri has taken a similar approach: all its products are conceived, designed and custom-made in the rustic setting of a backyard in the centre of Copenhagen. Here, traditions of craftsmanship and uncompromising quality reign, and the company’s custom-built kitchens, wardrobes and furniture are made not only to last for generations, but also to age gracefully. “We must make something that also becomes more beautiful over time,” says founder Kim Dolva.
Danish Style Done Right
Danish Style Done Right
The company even builds 1:10 scale models of their kitchen modules, so customers can physically preview the kitchen they will keep for life before committing to a final decision.
Designer Margrethe Odgaard, with by Montana founder Peter J. Lassen (right) and his son, Montana CEO Joakim Lassen
3. Colours to last for decades
Under the title ‘Don’t Judge a Colour by Its Colour’, Danish textile designer Margrethe Odgaard has developed a new palette of 30 different shades for furniture company Montana, which is known for its simple but colourful shelving systems.
Where Do Colour Trends Come From?
3. Colours to last for decades
Under the title ‘Don’t Judge a Colour by Its Colour’, Danish textile designer Margrethe Odgaard has developed a new palette of 30 different shades for furniture company Montana, which is known for its simple but colourful shelving systems.
Where Do Colour Trends Come From?
‘Don’t Judge a Colour by Its Colour’ collection by Margrethe Odgaard for Montana
Introducing several new colours might sound like the start of a short-term trend with a lot of wasteful turnaround, but the plan is the exact opposite. “I don’t work with trends. The colour collection must stay on the market for at least five to 10 years and have lasting relevance,” says Odgaard.
She has therefore based the collection on the five black, grey and white shades that account for 75 percent of the company’s sales, so the new colours complement those that most people already have in their homes.
Introducing several new colours might sound like the start of a short-term trend with a lot of wasteful turnaround, but the plan is the exact opposite. “I don’t work with trends. The colour collection must stay on the market for at least five to 10 years and have lasting relevance,” says Odgaard.
She has therefore based the collection on the five black, grey and white shades that account for 75 percent of the company’s sales, so the new colours complement those that most people already have in their homes.
“It is also important for me that the colours go well with wood, concrete and marble, and that there are only very few ‘ego’ colours, that is, colours that are difficult to combine with others,” says Odgaard. For example, she has only chosen one yellow shade – Chamomile – which is gentle enough to match other colours better than stronger, sunny yellow shades do.
A Colourful Life: Behind the Scenes With a Colour Consultant
A Colourful Life: Behind the Scenes With a Colour Consultant
The Spanish Chair, by Børge Mogensen
4. Designs from the past that fit the future
Which designs and furniture will we have in our homes not only this year and the next, but also in 10, 20, or even 50 years?
We may not know the answer, but a number of Danish design companies have noted the current love of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s furniture and are banking on its continued popularity for many decades to come.
Besides continuing to produce well-known Danish classics, companies are also relaunching lesser-known designs. These are often designs that have been out of production for decades or were shelved from the beginning and never sold.
4. Designs from the past that fit the future
Which designs and furniture will we have in our homes not only this year and the next, but also in 10, 20, or even 50 years?
We may not know the answer, but a number of Danish design companies have noted the current love of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s furniture and are banking on its continued popularity for many decades to come.
Besides continuing to produce well-known Danish classics, companies are also relaunching lesser-known designs. These are often designs that have been out of production for decades or were shelved from the beginning and never sold.
Magnus Stephensen presenting the TMBO Lounge chair, designed by his grandfather Magnus Læssøe Stephensen in 1935
The furniture company Mazō is brand new, but many of its designs have roots far in the past. “It is important for us that the designs we launch today still be relevant in 50 years,” says Magnus Stephensen, founder of Mazō and grandson of Danish architect and designer Magnus Læssøe Stephensen.
The furniture company Mazō is brand new, but many of its designs have roots far in the past. “It is important for us that the designs we launch today still be relevant in 50 years,” says Magnus Stephensen, founder of Mazō and grandson of Danish architect and designer Magnus Læssøe Stephensen.
WNG Chair designed by Magnus Læssøe Stephensen in 1937
“As my grandfather was a visionary and ahead of his time when he drew, for example, our WNG Chair, it is equally important that all of the designs we produce today can last for generations,” says Stephensen.
Sustainability Reigns at 2019’s Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair
“As my grandfather was a visionary and ahead of his time when he drew, for example, our WNG Chair, it is equally important that all of the designs we produce today can last for generations,” says Stephensen.
Sustainability Reigns at 2019’s Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair
Another example is House of Finn Juhl, which has relaunched more than 50 designs by the late Danish furniture master over the past few years. Most recently, the company released the Grasshopper chair (pictured here); it was designed in 1938 by Finn Juhl, but only two copies were originally produced.
This will certainly not be the last relaunch from the iconic designer’s portfolio. “There is still a back catalogue with some super exciting things, so we can launch new Finn Juhl furniture every year for the next twenty years without any problems,” says company co-founder and partner Hans Henrik Sørensen.
This will certainly not be the last relaunch from the iconic designer’s portfolio. “There is still a back catalogue with some super exciting things, so we can launch new Finn Juhl furniture every year for the next twenty years without any problems,” says company co-founder and partner Hans Henrik Sørensen.
Butterfly Classic chair (left), designed by Niels Gammelgaard and Model 107 chair (right), designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen, both produced by Magnus Olesen
5. Local and sustainable production
Another way of limiting the environmental impact of furniture is producing it locally, using local materials and labour. This is the approach taken by a number of other Danish design companies.
Magnus Olesen, for example, continues to produce all of its furniture at a factory in Jutland, Denmark, despite the global tendency to outsource labour.
“We are now living in a time when the topic of sustainability is so important that it has actually become a huge force driving production in Denmark, using Danish materials,” says director and owner Nils Knudsen.
However, he says the issue of local production becomes more complex when it comes to selling products to remote markets outside Europe.
5. Local and sustainable production
Another way of limiting the environmental impact of furniture is producing it locally, using local materials and labour. This is the approach taken by a number of other Danish design companies.
Magnus Olesen, for example, continues to produce all of its furniture at a factory in Jutland, Denmark, despite the global tendency to outsource labour.
“We are now living in a time when the topic of sustainability is so important that it has actually become a huge force driving production in Denmark, using Danish materials,” says director and owner Nils Knudsen.
However, he says the issue of local production becomes more complex when it comes to selling products to remote markets outside Europe.
“There are several large companies that, when buying furniture, require that products not be produced more than 700 kilometres from the place of use,” he says.
“Therefore, in the US and Japanese markets, for example, we are working with local partners that either produce products there on a license agreement, or we send furniture components there, while the assembly, upholstering and adjustment take place locally. If you measure the output of CO2 for transport per cubic metre, it is significantly better for the environment if we send components that are assembled on-site rather than finished products.”
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“Therefore, in the US and Japanese markets, for example, we are working with local partners that either produce products there on a license agreement, or we send furniture components there, while the assembly, upholstering and adjustment take place locally. If you measure the output of CO2 for transport per cubic metre, it is significantly better for the environment if we send components that are assembled on-site rather than finished products.”
Going Green: The 7 Best Eco-Friendly Building Materials
6. From the ferry port to the dinner table
While all sorts of innovative recycled materials are currently being used and forward-thinking designers are, among other things, transforming old plastic into new furniture, other companies have come back down to earth.
While all sorts of innovative recycled materials are currently being used and forward-thinking designers are, among other things, transforming old plastic into new furniture, other companies have come back down to earth.
Thors Design, for example, gives new life to timber from the docks of a handful of old Danish ferry ports. The wood is turned into furniture with unique features, hand-made table tops, chairs, dining table sets with benches, room partitions and outdoor kitchens, all made of the solid African azobé wood of the docks.
Despite having spent decades in saltwater, the wood still has a shelf life of 50 to 100 years and requires only minimal maintenance. The furniture can also be leased, meaning it isn’t just thrown away when a client decides to change up their decor.
Eco Cred: How to Buy Responsibly Sourced Timber
Despite having spent decades in saltwater, the wood still has a shelf life of 50 to 100 years and requires only minimal maintenance. The furniture can also be leased, meaning it isn’t just thrown away when a client decides to change up their decor.
Eco Cred: How to Buy Responsibly Sourced Timber
7. Recycling is best
No matter how sustainable a brand-new product is, it is even better for the environment to buy furniture that already exists.
No matter how sustainable a brand-new product is, it is even better for the environment to buy furniture that already exists.
The Klassik store in downtown Copenhagen has done well selling used Danish luxury classics at prices that are often far higher than the furniture was originally sold for, demonstrating the enduring relevance of these designs.
As more and more new furniture is being produced with long-lasting design and quality in mind, there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing these pieces at auctions, flea markets and second-hand stores in the coming years.
Your turn
Which of these seven approaches to design would you like to see embraced on our shores? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more international design observations? Catch the latest from across the globe with 6 Furniture Trends: Curves and Customisation at ICFF in New York
As more and more new furniture is being produced with long-lasting design and quality in mind, there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing these pieces at auctions, flea markets and second-hand stores in the coming years.
Your turn
Which of these seven approaches to design would you like to see embraced on our shores? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more international design observations? Catch the latest from across the globe with 6 Furniture Trends: Curves and Customisation at ICFF in New York
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I have inherited a few pieces of furniture, the rest was bought cheaply but has lasted 25 years - bookcases and tables don't deteriorate! The only piece of furniture I've thrown out is a sofa, which lasted for 15 years but had given up the ghost.
I inherited my dining room chairs from my mum, they are near 45 years old now, I’ll never part with them, some of the furniture is just crazy nowadays, threw out after a couple of years as there’s something new or it’s fell apart, my last bed lasted 14 years and I sold it for close on what I paid for it!
I really enjoyed reading this article. I love how people are coming up with creative and sustainable models for furniture. In this era of consumerism, I love the concept of pieces that can be passed from generation to generation. Mindfulness of our impact on this planet is integral to everything we create in order to have lasting legacies. I'd like to read more of these types of articles on Houzz.