It will probably come as no surprise that this week’s post is dedicated to another highlight from this year’s 3 Days of Design, ‘Meditations in an Emergency’ by New Works.
One of my favourite Nordic brands since founding back in 2015, I last visited their beautiful New Works Residence two years ago. A tribute to 18th century architecture, this inspirational space, with its carefully composed interconnecting rooms, once again proved to be the perfect backdrop, not only for the furniture, lighting and accessories on display, but for a thought-provoking exhibition too.
Exploring the tension between external noise and inner stillness; a subject more relevant than ever when distraction and visual overload is everywhere, visitors were taken on an immersive journey as soon as they stepped foot inside.
Opening with a striking set of Lars Tornøe’s much-loved Kizu lamps, displayed alongside marble remnants from their own production, an ongoing dialogue between form and function took centre stage. While up in the first-floor gallery the new Smultron Series by Sjöberg Fjällström encouraged a closer observation of another key theme, materiality.
As every year, New Works Founder and Creative Director, Knut Bendik Humlevik has collaborated with leading Swedish interior designer Lotta Agaton on this incredible experience, and nowhere is her presence more felt than in the lounge, study and library.
Renowned for her discerning eye, as well as her instinctive ability to shape the atmosphere in any room, the large Shore Modular Sofa in a warm ‘gingerbread’ colour was made for sharing. While in the adjoining room, a single Unit Desk Table by New Works x Eskoleia, which has been designed by Jonas Ravlo Stokke, stood within a lighter environment dedicated to personal reflection and introspection.
Across the ‘Hipster Brown’ painted passage, which runs like a spine down the centre of the showroom, in a room lined with several New Works Shelving Systems, visitors were actively encouraged to pause and peruse. Filled with books, artworks and collected curiosities, there were an abundance of soft Covent Lounge Chairs and Sofas, as well as a long Dune Table and Chairs in a rich walnut to take a moment at and discover more.
Saving the best for last however, the final room in the exhibition sequence was a deep-toned and distinctive Champagne Bar, produced in partnership with renowned, family-owned French Champagne house, Champagne Taittinger. At its centre, a curved Shore Modular Sofa designed by Joel Fjällström this time in a soft ‘chocolate’, matching Bukowski Chairs and marble topped Florence Tables, all set amongst reflective Brolly lamps and Coupe Bar Stools in cool stainless steel.
A place to truly loose track of time and escape the trappings of the everyday, ‘Mediations in an Emergency’ will live long in the memory.
To find out more about New Works, and the new additions featured in this post, visit their website.
Images 4-6 and 12 courtesy of New Works, all remaining images by Nicola Capper.
Enjoyed this post? Then read about the ‘A Chronicle of Danish Design’ exhibition at 3 Days of Design by Fredericia.
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