Copenhagen and Berlin
I had the opportunity to visit Copenhagen and Berlin early 2023, where I immersed myself in the environments where some of my favorite artists created their works. It was truly remarkable to witness the artistic influence throughout both cities. The essence of Scandinavian design was palpable not only in the city’s interior décor and furnishings but also in unexpected places like their subways, military housing, and convenience stores. Being surrounded by a culture that so passionately celebrates the innovation and significance of something as seemingly mundane as a chair or a lighting fixture left me absolutely ecstatic.
Design
This museum flaunted a unique and breathtaking experience as you entered every room. Not only was it informative, but it was a joy to encounter the layout and aesthetic of the many spaces within this beautiful building, which transitioned from a hospital to the Designmuseum in 1926.
The SMK art museum, also known as the National Gallery of Denmark, spans over 20,700 square meters and encompasses almost 9,000 paintings and sculptures, approximately 240,000 works of art on paper as well as more than 2,600 middle-aged and renaissance casts of figures. My two favorite sections were the Danish and Nordic 1750-1900 art section as well as the extended contemporary section. The contemporary section joined the original building in 1998 and was designed by the architects Anna Maria Indrio and Mads Møller from Arkitektfirmaet C. F. Møller. Walking from the original building to the modern extension was such a spectacular experience as the structures are joined by an expansive glass ceiling.
Another amazing organization focused on the spectacular history of the countries’ design and architecture – the Danish Architecture Center. The photo above features one of the museum’s permanent exhibition galleries. This gallery walks the viewer down a road that encompasses Danish chair designs through the years. I have a sweet spot for mid-20th century Danish seating, so learning about “The Chair” that was featured in former president John F Kennedy’s debate with Richard Nixon in 1960 captivated me. This premiere on television added to The Chair’s fame and was afterwards remained at the White House permanently.
HAY’s flagship store in the heart of the city of Copenhagen overlooking Østergade street. HAY was founded in Copenhagen by Mette and Rolf Hay in 2002, and was purchased by Herman Miller (now MillerKnoll) in 2019. I believe the HAY brand fits well within the iconic, function-first, and sleek style of the MillerKnoll portfolio and am excited to see the brand grow.
Architecture
Although the Danish style has evolved, the geometric repeating pattern of the Nyboder navy housing established in the 17th century is still portrayed in modern Danish architecture today.
The focus on scandinavian minimalism, soft and natural light, and functionality of the Copenhagen Metro stations produces a sense of safety and cleanliness that encourage people to opt for public transportation instead of driving cars.
This is an example of one of the many ways the design of the city plays into the incredible culture of Copenhagen.
783 Park 