Copenhagen New Nordic Design Sprint — Harbor Saunas, Superkilen & HAY House
A crisp, tactile three-day sprint for design enthusiasts: dedicated showrooms, public art, architecture, hands-on museum practice and a harbour sauna ritual. Quietly confident pacing with local studio encounters and time to touch materials.
Highlights
- HAY House flagship showroom
- Superkilen public art and urban design
- CopenHot harbour sauna experience
- Designmuseum Danmark workshops
- Danish Architecture Center (BLOX)
- Day trip to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Itinerary
Day 1
Showrooms and architecture in central Copenhagen, ending with a tactile harbour sauna to reset the senses.
HAY House — Flagship showroom browsing
Start tactile: explore HAY’s curated furniture and small objects at the flagship HAY House. Focus on materials, proportions and finishing details.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask staff to show the latest textile samples — they often have off-catalogue swatches for tactile comparison.
- Photograph details (joinery, lamination edges) for later reference; avoid flash and be discreet during busy hours.
- Wheelchair accessible on the ground level; call ahead if you want a quiet time or a private walkthrough with a showroom guide.
Normann Copenhagen flagship — contemporary Danish product display
A short stroll to Normann’s flagship to compare editorial merchandising and product narratives in situ.
Tips from local experts:
- Note how product groupings tell a story—sketch the layout flow for shop-display inspiration.
- If you’re researching furniture finishes, ask to see sample pieces not on the showroom floor.
- Nearest tram stop and street access make it convenient for carrying small purchases; larger items require arranging delivery.
Lunch — Atelier September (light, design-conscious café)
A tactile lunch in a pared-back, design-forward interior. Use the meal to sketch and note material palettes you see around you.
Tips from local experts:
- Choose a corner seat near the window for the best natural light — useful if you want to photograph tabletop details.
- Menus change seasonally; ask about provenance of ceramics if you’re cataloguing local makers.
- Small venue; arrive early or reserve to avoid waiting during lunch hours.
Danish Architecture Center (DAC) at BLOX — exhibitions and urban thinking
Engage with current architectural dialogues: exhibitions, models and the layered waterfront context around BLOX.
Tips from local experts:
- Inspect exhibition labels for designers and fabricators — DAC often credits local workshops you can contact for studio visits.
- Use the roof terrace and façade details for material-stacking studies (bring a sketchbook and a measuring app).
- Accessible lifts throughout; check DAC’s site for timed installations or guided tours relevant to your field.
Break — The Coffee Collective, Torvehallerne
Tactile pause with single-origin pour-over; excellent spot for sketch notes and quick surface studies before the evening.
Tips from local experts:
- Order a filter coffee and ask about the roast profile — barista notes can reveal approaches to craft sharing.
- Torvehallerne is good for sourcing small design objects — browse nearby stalls for locally made ceramics.
- Outdoor seating available when weather permits; level access makes it easy to arrive with a portfolio bag.
Harbour sauna ritual — CopenHot floating sauna & hot tubs
An evening harbour sauna to close the day: a design-conscious, material-led body experience — wood, heat, water and skyline views.
Tips from local experts:
- Book the sauna slot in advance and request a quieter time if you want to discuss craft with the operator.
- Bring a small towel to place on wooden benches if you’re photographing joinery details after cooling down.
- Foot access can be slick — wear rubber-soled sandals; the operator can advise on limiting humidity’s effect on cameras.
Day 2
Nørrebro’s creative pulse: Superkilen’s public art, local design shops and a museum workshop afternoon, capped by a design-conscious dinner.
Superkilen — public art and global design artifacts
Walk the park’s themed zones; study material contrasts, seating typologies and street furniture as a compact urban design case study.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring a measuring tape or phone app to record bench heights and spacing; Superkilen is a compact field lab.
- Observe how signage and color-coding guide movement — photograph plan views from elevated points for layout study.
- Sunday mornings are quieter for contemplative sketching; note that some sculptural pieces are climbable so check access signs.
Stilleben — curated ceramics, glass and small objects
A neighbourhood shop with carefully chosen ceramics and lighting; ideal for sourcing small artisanal pieces and maker contacts.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask the staff for maker contact cards; many artisans will welcome studio visits if introduced by the shop.
- Handle pieces gently — staff appreciate when designers discuss fabrication techniques rather than just buying.
- If you’re collecting materials swatches, photograph labels and ask about maker processes for later sourcing.
Lunch — Manfreds (Jægersborggade) — neighbourhood bistro with craft sensibility
Eat where local creatives meet: interiors and plating reflect a restrained Danish sensibility.
Tips from local experts:
- The dining room uses local ceramics and cutlery — ask the staff about the makers for studio leads.
- Book ahead for prime daylight seating if you want to sketch interior details.
- Use the walk on Jægersborggade afterwards to browse small design ateliers and vintage stores nearby.
Designmuseum Danmark — collection and hands-on workshop
A focused visit to the national design collection with a booked workshop (ceramics/textiles or object conservation — pre-book).
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve the workshop slot at least a week in advance; tell them you’re a design professional to request advanced content.
- Inspect label typography and object mounts — the museum is a lesson in exhibition craft and conservation choices.
- Ask curators for recent acquisition lists; they often share local maker names and studios working in similar fields.
V1 Gallery — contemporary art and object conversations
Short gallery visit to see how contemporary art programs mingle with object-based exhibitions and local designers.
Tips from local experts:
- Galleries rotate quickly — ask about the current show’s press kit for curator notes and production credits.
- Gallery openings are good for networking with local creatives; check timing if you want to meet artists.
- The scale and framing choices are instructive for designers planning installations — take notes on hanging heights and sightlines.
Dinner — Høst — New Nordic interiors and plated craft
A dinner where interior design and menu choreography speak the same language — excellent for studying hospitality design.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a table near the central installation — it’s useful to observe lighting and material choices up close.
- Discuss ceramics and tableware with staff; many pieces are from local makers and can be sourced for projects.
- Reserve in advance; the dining room’s rhythm and service are part of the spatial design experience.
Day 3
A focused day: a linear visit to Louisiana Museum (masterclass in display and landscape), return to central architectural highlights and a quiet design dinner.
Transfer — train from Copenhagen Central Station to Humlebæk (to Louisiana)
Morning rail transfer to Louisiana: an opportunity to review reference images and prepare questions for the museum visit.
Tips from local experts:
- Buy a return ticket in advance and sit on the right side of the train for the best seaside approach photos.
- Bring a compact umbrella — the coastal museum walkways can be breezy and exposure changes quickly.
- Use the transfer time to sequence your museum notes and shortlist works you want to study in detail.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art — collection, setting and exhibition craft
A deep visit: focus on museum display, the dialogue between art and landscape, and the museum’s use of daylight.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive early to see morning light in the sculpture garden — prime time for studying material aging outdoors.
- Request details from the information desk about recent exhibition build techniques; curators are often willing to speak briefly.
- Take notes on how circulation routes frame views of the sea — Louisiana is a masterclass in sightline choreography.
Lunch — Restaurant Louisiana (museum café)
A measured midday break inside Louisiana with views across Øresund — good for consolidating visual notes.
Tips from local experts:
- Choose a window seat for uninterrupted views while you sketch exhibition layouts.
- The café uses local produce and often local ceramics — ask staff about suppliers and makers.
- If time allows, visit the museum shop for design monographs and limited-edition prints.
Transfer — return train to Copenhagen Central Station
Relaxed journey back; useful time to sort references and plan an afternoon architecture crawl.
Tips from local experts:
- Keep your sketches and camera files organised so you can reference them during the afternoon visit to the city.
- If you collected brochures, photograph them now — paper can be bulky to keep.
- Expect variable Wi‑Fi on regional trains; download maps and notes before departure from the museum.
Black Diamond — The Royal Library: a study in contemporary civic insertion
Examine material transitions between old and new, façade details, and the interior atrium’s play of light.
Tips from local experts:
- Photograph the façade reflections at dusk; the black granite reveals subtle variations best seen in low light.
- Inside, study handrail details and public seating; the library’s fittings are instructive for civic projects.
- Check opening hours for the reading room if you wish to see original layout constraints and furniture choices in use.
Farewell dinner — Restaurant Radio
End the sprint with a quietly considered dinner in a space where culinary staging and interior design align.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve an early table to take in daylight interior details or request a booth to study lighting layers up close.
- Ask the sommelier about local producers—Restaurant Radio focuses on regional suppliers often using handcrafted packaging.
- Use dinner to consolidate contacts collected over the trip — share notes and plan follow-up studio visits.
