Aalto Vase 90 Years – An Iconic Form Expands into an Architectural Pavilion in Copenhagen

The iconic Aalto Vase is reimagined at an architectural scale in Copenhagen, as Iittala presents the seven-metre-tall Aalto 90 Pavilion as part of the 90th anniversary celebrations at the 3daysofdesign festival. Iittala will showcase the Aalto 90 Pavilion at Ofelia Plads in Copenhagen during the international 3daysofdesign event, taking place from 10–12 June.

The pavilion is an architectural, walk-in interpretation of Alvar Aalto’s organic design language. Rising to seven metres, the structure transforms the familiar vase form into a monumental spatial experience that invites visitors to step inside a living piece of design history. The pavilion has been designed by Tableau CPH, which reinterprets Aalto’s formal language through a contemporary architectural lens.

The Aalto 90 Pavilion is conceived as a holistic, multi-sensory space where architecture, materiality and sound come together as a unified experience. Inside the pavilion, the Aalto City vases are placed within an environment that connects past, present and future. The space offers a setting for reflection and dialogue on the role of design in everyday life.

— We celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Aalto Vase by viewing it not only as an icon, but also as a way of thinking that continues to influence design today. Together with Hydro, we translate this idea into a space where people can step inside the form and experience its movement and softness, says Janni Vepsäläinen, Creative Director at Iittala.

The pavilion is constructed from Hydro’s low-carbon Hydro REDUXA aluminium, produced using renewable energy in Sunndal, Norway. The material’s carbon footprint is less than one third of the global average, and its recyclability is effectively infinite. The aluminium is processed at Hydro’s production facility in Magnor, and the structure’s seamless surface is achieved without any visible joints.

— The project demonstrates that a form such as Alvar Aalto’s vase can be realised at an architectural scale with a low carbon footprint. By combining the expertise of Hydro and Iittala, we bring one iconic shape to a new scale, says Asle Forsbak, Marketing Director at Hydro.

The pavilion has been designed for disassembly and reuse, with a lifecycle that extends beyond the Copenhagen event. Developed in collaboration with Tableau CPH, the installation demonstrates how temporary architecture can support circular economy principles and long-term material thinking.

3daysofdesign is Copenhagen’s leading design festival, bringing together international brands, emerging designers and design enthusiasts from across the city each year. The festival has grown into one of Europe’s most significant design events, transforming showrooms, studios and public spaces into vibrant installations. It serves as a platform where the global design community meets, shares ideas and celebrates both Nordic and international design culture.

Photo: 3D rendering of the Aalto 90 Pavilion | Hydro