'We combine design with crafts, seeking to create beauty and find relevance'

In an interview with InteriorDaily, Pia Wüstenberg, Creative Director of Utopia & Utility, outlined the brand's current trajectory and its presentation at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen this week. The studio, which merges craft with design through multi-material objects, continues to explore a hybrid language that foregrounds artisanal methods while operating within a contemporary framework.

'The brand started from my graduation project from the Royal College of Art in 2011,' Pia explained. 'We combine design with crafts, seeking to create beauty and find relevance. By creating a new aesthetic, familiar materials can be reintroduced in a new context.'

Utopia & Utility's stand at 3daysofdesign features a curated edit of its core collections alongside recent developments in patinated metal finishes. On show are the studio's Node flower vases and Kaori home diffusers, presented alongside newer metal pieces that extend the brand's interest in contrasting surface textures and formal language.

'Glass is always a big focus,' Pia said, 'but we are experimenting a lot with metal patinas, which has opened a whole new world to me.' The use of patina reflects an ongoing commitment to material experimentation, with the studio often working at the intersection of blown glass, turned wood, and hand-thrown ceramics.

Utopia & Utility relies on partnerships with specialist craftspeople across Europe. These relationships not only inform the construction techniques but also influence the visual identity of each object. 'I am not an expert in wood, or ceramic or glass,' Pia noted. 'So learning what can be done with it over the years has been endlessly valuable. It's in the crossing of knowledge and ignorance where creativity can flourish.'

The studio's presence in Copenhagen aims to reach a concentrated trade audience. 'It is still a much more selected crowd, making the experience more professional,' Pia said, in contrast to the broader public engagement of other international design weeks. This audience aligns with the studio's focus on B2B channels, small-scale retail partners, and architects sourcing bespoke decorative elements.

Sustainability, while not foregrounded as a narrative, remains embedded in Utopia & Utility's operational model. 'It actually comes very easy when you're a small business. It makes most sense to work locally, only make what you need, reuse what you can,' Pia stated. The studio's low-volume, craft-based approach naturally limits overproduction and supports traceable sourcing.

Looking ahead, Pia confirmed that the team is working on a new collection of side tables and plans to expand its home scent line. 'Next is the summer holiday,' Pia added. 'A very important part of the year, a time to be creative without restraints, to rest.'

Utopia & Utility's exhibition is open throughout 3daysofdesign at the brand's dedicated space in Copenhagen.

More information:
Utopia & Utility
Ruppovaarantie 25
82500 Kitee
+49 15780639108
pia@utopiaandutility.eu
www.utopiaandutility.eu
Finland