Design duo Pearson Lloyd returned to the international stage with Godt Lavet — the second edition of their Well Made exhibition — during 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen. Presented at Designmuseum Danmark, the show brought together over 50 objects that challenge and celebrate what it means to be “well made” in a world grappling with sustainability, tradition, and technology.
Revisiting what “well made” means today
For Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd, founders of the London-based design studio Pearson Lloyd, the notion of “well made” is not a fixed label but a fluid and evolving idea. With Godt Lavet — Danish for “well made” — the duo revisited this concept through a Nordic lens, expanding on the format introduced at their first Well Made show during the 2023 London Design Festival.
Displayed at the Designmuseum Danmark as part of Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design festival, the exhibition brought together more than 50 objects, each selected by leading figures from the global design community. Contributors included SCP founder Sheridan Coakley, Kvadrat CEO Anders Byriel, designers Sabine Marcelis and Hella Jongerius, and Dezeen deputy editor Cajsa Carlson.
“Tom and I have spent years in constant dialogue about materials, methods, and the consequences of making,” Pearson explained. “This exhibition is the result of those ongoing conversations — a way to invite others to reflect on what makes an object not just useful, but meaningful.”
Ten objects, ten ways of thinking
From repurposed eggshells to military-grade chairs, Godt Lavet featured a wide spectrum of design forms. Each object told a story not only of function and craft, but of social context, cultural memory, and technical ingenuity. Here are ten highlights from the show, chosen by Pearson and Lloyd to reflect the diverse interpretations of “well made”:
Mignon eggs, Fazer
Selected by Sofia Lagerkvist of Front
Using real eggshells discarded in food production, Fazer fills them with nougat to create festive, biodegradable treats. “It’s a brilliant example of reuse in action,” said Pearson and Lloyd. “An elegant transformation of waste that fuses beauty and practicality.”
Weaving tool, artisan Ramon
Selected by Sebastian Herkner
This natural thistle tool, used in Colombia to felt woollen blankets, is striking in form even before its function is known. “It represents a deep relationship between culture, craft, and resourcefulness,” the duo noted.
Collapsible glasses
Selected by Studiomama
Found in London’s Spitalfields Market, these vintage spectacles fold with precision thanks to a cleverly engineered hinge. “A masterclass in problem-solving, hidden in plain sight,” Pearson and Lloyd remarked.
Corkscrew by Ettore Sottsass, Alessi
Selected by Mette and Rolf Hay of Hay
A vibrant domestic object by the iconic designer, this corkscrew combines form, function, and joy. “It shows how personality and play can enhance even the most everyday tasks,” said the curators.
Paper clip
Selected by Mark Isitt
A loop of bent wire that has endured since the 19th century. “The ultimate reusable product,” Pearson and Lloyd observed. “So simple, it becomes an expression of human ingenuity.”
Glass lens
Selected by Lise Vester
From telescopes to cameras, lenses reveal invisible worlds. “They change how we see — literally and metaphorically,” the designers said. “A reminder that the most transformative objects are often nearly invisible.”
Machine screw
Selected by Jonas Trampedach
Believed to date back to 400 BC, the humble screw is essential to circular design. “It makes assembly and disassembly a given — not an afterthought,” Pearson and Lloyd noted.
Velcro, invented by George de Mestral
Selected by Bonnie Hvillum
Inspired by burdock seeds, Velcro is a perfect example of bio-inspiration. “It shows how careful observation can lead to everyday innovation,” the pair commented.
1006 Navy chair, Emeco
Selected by Jaye Buchbinder
Crafted from recycled aluminium through a meticulous 77-step process, this chair balances durability with elegance. “It’s honest, rugged, and still beautiful,” said Pearson and Lloyd.
Pestle and mortar
Selected by Samta Nadeem
Used across time and cultures, this ancient tool distills a universal human process. “A hard object, crushing another, unlocking potential — it’s pure, primal design,” they concluded.
A collective voice in a fast-changing world
Beyond their personal selections, Pearson and Lloyd see Well Made as an ongoing conversation — one shaped by context, culture, and collaboration. This second edition in Copenhagen invited a Nordic perspective, building on the local design legacy of clarity, quality, and functionality while also challenging it with new interpretations.
“Every region has its own relationship with making,” said Pearson. “Here in Scandinavia, where craft, modernism, and sustainability are so interwoven, it’s exciting to see how the idea of ‘well made’ continues to evolve. We wanted to reveal these local voices — not as answers, but as provocations.”
This curatorial approach turns Well Made into more than a showcase of beautiful objects. It becomes a platform for exploring the ethical, cultural, and environmental implications of design. In an era of disposable goods and fleeting trends, the exhibition reaffirms the importance of care, intention, and longevity.
More than making — a philosophy
As Pearson and Lloyd continue to build this exhibition into a wider series, their hope is to inspire not only designers but also manufacturers, students, and consumers to think differently about the objects in their lives.
“‘Well made’ is not just about durability or aesthetics,” said Lloyd. “It’s about understanding the impact of materials, the intelligence behind mechanisms, the narratives embedded in forms. It’s about making things that matter — for today and tomorrow.”
The Well Made: Godt Lavet exhibition was on display at Designmuseum Danmark from 18 to 20 June 2025, part of the official programme for 3 Days of Design. With this edition, Pearson Lloyd has reaffirmed that good design is never just about how things look — it’s about how they’re made, what they mean, and how they endure.
Exhibition details:
Exhibition: Godt Lavet (Well Made)
Curators: Pearson Lloyd
Venue: Designmuseum Danmark, Copenhagen
Dates: 18–20 June 2025
Presented during: 3 Days of Design
Contributors: Sheridan Coakley, Anders Byriel, Sabine Marcelis, Hella Jongerius, Cajsa Carlson, among others
