Header: Photography by Heidi Lerkenfeldt and Curation by Pernille Vest
Garde Hvalsøe returned to 3daysofdesign this year with Deltag, an installation presented in its Copenhagen showroom from 18 to 20 June. Introduced as a collaborative project with Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus, alongside De La Espada and Neri & Hu, the exhibition connected designers with a special interest in material exploration, quality craftsmanship, and a calm, lived-in aesthetic.
The vision
Deltag, meaning “participate” in Danish, sets the tone for the concept, which was brought to life by stylist Pernille Vest as a working interior rather than a static showcase—shaped not only by what’s displayed but also by how it’s used. Inspired by the familiar atmospheres of boutique hotels, cafés, and intimate dining spaces, Vest created a setting that encourages visitors to engage directly with the furniture, surfaces, and environment.
“For me, Deltag is about creating quiet moments of connection. A space where light, texture, and materiality invite you to slow down, be present, and become part of the space.”
Pernille Vest
The scenography is built around the idea of use as a central principle. This way, the installation transforms according to presence, functioning alternately as a restaurant, lounge, café, or home. Rather than directing movement, the space invites visitors to move through it naturally, forming a sense of ownership through touch and duration.
Collaborations
The furniture chosen for the installation includes pieces by De La Espada, which were developed in collaboration with Neri & Hu and Aires Mateus. These designers decided to focus less on stylistic cues and more on spatial quality, proportion, and rhythm.
This year’s exhibition also marks the launch of the Koshi-do Armoire, a new addition to the Koshi-do collection created in partnership with OEO Studio. Built in solid cherry wood, the cabinet’s vertical slats moderate light and create subtle tonal shifts across its surface. It was created as a freestanding bathroom piece, but it also perfectly fits within the installation’s broader theme: refined, open, and made to last.
“Our continued collaboration with De La Espada has only deepened my respect for their extraordinary approach to furniture making. It reaffirms my belief that true craftsmanship is a universal language — one that transcends borders and generations, connecting us through a shared passion that deserves to be protected, nurtured, passed on, and celebrated. We are proud to invite guests to experience the epitome of master carpentry — a living expression of timeless skill and design.”
Søren Lundh Aagaard, CEO of Garde Hvalsøe
While much of the installation can be described through materials (timber, stone, ceramics), its main theme is time. The exhibition suggests that design becomes meaningful not through display but through use, as every surface is intended to be touched and every zone to be occupied. In that sense, Deltag refuses the idea that an exhibition is something to be viewed, instead positioning itself as something to be part of.
