Finnish design house Iittala will present the Aalto 90 Pavilion at Copenhagen’s 2026 edition of 3daysofdesign, transforming one of the most recognizable objects in modern design history into an immersive architectural installation. Positioned on the harbourfront at Ofelia Plads, the seven-meter-high structure reimagines Alvar Aalto’s celebrated vase as a walk-in spatial experience that bridges design heritage, material innovation, and contemporary architecture.
Created by Copenhagen-based design studio TABLEAU CPH, the pavilion translates the flowing silhouette of the Aalto vase into a monumental public installation. As a result, visitors can physically enter and experience a form that has remained a defining symbol of Nordic design for nearly a century.
The project coincides with the 90th anniversary of the iconic Aalto vase and highlights the continued influence of Alvar Aalto’s organic design language across architecture, interiors, and product design.
Nordic Design Heritage Meets Sustainable Material Innovation
Developed in collaboration with aluminium company Hydro, the pavilion showcases advances in low-carbon construction while maintaining a strong connection to Scandinavian design principles. The structure utilizes low-carbon aluminium profiles extruded entirely using 100 percent renewable energy, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainable manufacturing within the design sector.
Furthermore, the installation demonstrates how industrial materials can support ambitious architectural experimentation. The pavilion’s aluminium components are cut into two precise lengths and assembled through a clamping system that recreates the vase’s fluid curves at an architectural scale. Consequently, the structure achieves a lightweight visual presence while preserving the softness and movement associated with Aalto’s original design.
Circularity also plays a central role in the pavilion’s conception. The modular framework allows the installation to be fully dismantled, recycled, or relocated, extending its lifespan beyond its debut in Copenhagen. Therefore, the project aligns with broader industry efforts to integrate sustainability into temporary architecture and exhibition design.
Aalto City Vase Collection Debuts Inside the Pavilion
At the centre of the installation, Iittala will introduce the new Aalto City Vase collection, a design series inspired by six international cities: Berlin, Amsterdam, Tokyo, New York, Helsinki, and Copenhagen.
Each vase interprets Aalto’s signature form through distinct colours and atmospheric references linked to its respective city. Accordingly, the collection creates a dialogue between place, design identity, and cultural expression while demonstrating the versatility of a classic modernist object.
Within the pavilion, the vases function as both exhibition pieces and conceptual anchors. The installation expands the familiar object into an architectural environment before returning it to a collectible scale, reinforcing the enduring relevance of the Aalto vase across generations and global design cultures.
As one of the highlights of 3daysofdesign 2026, the Aalto 90 Pavilion reflects the increasing convergence of architecture, product design, and sustainability. At the same time, it reaffirms Iittala’s commitment to preserving Nordic design heritage while exploring new ways of engaging contemporary audiences through immersive experiences.