A Day in the Life of Brodie Neill

For this week’s Designer Dailies, Australian designer Brodie Neill, who we love most for his ultra-contemporary lighting and seating, brings us through a jam packed day of travel, commerce, cuisine and culture. The day begins in London and ends in Copenhagen, while we go along with his taking in meetings, museums, and two of Denmark’s best cultural contributions — food and design.

8:00 AM: The day begins with a dash to cross London east to west, catching the all important Heathrow Express from Paddington Station. On board and with 15 minutes down time, I quickly check my emails and download updates to my iPad, ready for the flight to Copenhagen.

8:30 AM: With beautiful sunlight steaming through the window and high above the clouds, I decided to put aside the iPad and get into my day through a more “traditional” method.

8:45 AM: One of those classic shots you take — the infinite horizon and the scaled heights of mankind.

9:00 AM: This is my favorite sketchbook; my girlfriend bought for me in Tasmania earlier this year. The yellow binding is a later addition in an effort to prevent losing the ideas forever.

11:30 AM (Copenhagen time): I was welcomed to Copenhagen with a cold chill, but plenty of warm hospitality and typically Scandinavian efficiency. Here I am checking into the Hotel Guldsmeden, which offers laid back luxury with excellent eco operating principals. The staff was very welcoming, informative and the breakfast was off the charts!

12:00 PM: At midday I made my way to the Inner City region of Copenhagen to meet with Thomas Lykke of OeO, a design consultancy working with some of the best Danish and international brands.

12:30 PM: Over lunch we discussed many projects, the state of design, and the unique bond between Tasmania and Denmark.

3:30 PM: I am starting to feel the effect of the early start I made back in London, so it’s off to a highly recommended café for a mid-afternoon re-boost. Coffee Collective roasts onsite and is the trailblazer of Copenhagen’s coffee scene.

4:00 PM: Design Museum Danmark is a must for any design fan in Copenhagen. It’s where I spent the remainder of my Friday afternoon, browsing the collections, both new and old. (Editor’s Note: we were just there too!)

4:20 PM: Admiring the masters. Not only here at the Design Museum Danmark but throughout Copenhagen, the classic design work of the Danish masters is implemented and admired. Sculptural, elegant, almost effortless examples of Danish lighting like these Louis Poulsen suspension lights overhead are found everywhere, but they are still as fresh and still as vibrant as ever.

4:40 PM: We cannot forget the amazing design contribution put forward by the creative visionary Verner Panton. His designs are still revered as contemporary, maybe even futuristic, but certainly elegant and sculptural. Who could forget such an eye opening interior like this red and purple combo?

4:50 PM: Taking it all in, from the classic Danish glass work to the almost ancient Scandinavian boat building techniques, it’s all very inspirational, the making, the method.

8:00 PM: On referral from the staff at the Hotel Guldsmeden we headed to the nearby Meatpacking District of Copenhagen to dine at Fiskebar. Unlike the Meatpacking District of New York, Copenhagen’s equivalent still operates as a commercial meat distribution point, with slick refurbished restaurants and bars scattered amongst trade depots.

8:45 PM: The food at Fiskebar was amazing. From produce though to presentation, it was all carefully considered and curated. Add to this their rich design heritage. I cannot believe I haven’t come here sooner.

Thanks, Brodie!