From Here Now: Lee Broom Debuts Chant Portable Lighting and Celebrates Design Legacy at 3daysofdesign 2025
As Copenhagen prepares to host its annual 3daysofdesign event from 18–20 June 2025, one of the most hotly anticipated exhibitions comes from British designer Lee Broom, known for his innovative approach to lighting design and storytelling through spatial experience. Marking his debut at the festival, Broom unveils ‘From Here Now’, a landmark presentation hosted at the historic Asia House, a venue never before opened to the public during the festival.
The exhibition offers visitors an immersive journey through the evolution of the Lee Broom brand, featuring over 70 signature lighting designs, including newly reimagined classics and the global debut of Chant, Broom’s first-ever portable table lamp. ‘From Here Now’ is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a compelling vision of the future, capturing the essence of design, functionality, and narrative that has defined Broom’s career over the past two decades.
A Historic Setting for a Contemporary Vision
Located in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Asia House is a striking architectural gem built in 1897 as the headquarters of the East Asiatic Company. Its heritage-rich interiors offer the perfect contrast to Broom’s contemporary design language. For this special exhibition, Lee Broom was invited by 3daysofdesign to take over the entire house, curating a cohesive experience that merges past and present in a singular, atmospheric journey.
Rather than simply showcasing lighting in a gallery-style format, Broom has created a narrative-rich environment that evokes the feeling of an explorer’s long-abandoned residence, filled with mementos from faraway lands. Set against aged architectural features and wood-panelled interiors, Broom’s lighting becomes the guiding force that illuminates and animates this fictional home, each piece telling its own story while contributing to the broader design narrative.
The Chant Portable Table Lamp
One of the most exciting moments within the exhibition is the unveiling of Chant, Lee Broom’s latest creation and his first venture into portable lighting design. The Chant Portable Table Lamp draws inspiration from the designer’s award-winning Chant Chandelier, but this new iteration brings the concept into an intimate, functional form.
Influenced by 1970s architectural glass blocks, Chant features a stacked glass structure that plays with light and transparency. The lamp’s portability is a significant step forward for the brand, aligning with contemporary needs for adaptable and stylish lighting solutions. Available in a variety of finishes, Chant blends modern utility with Broom’s signature sculptural elegance, offering a stylish lighting option for both residential and commercial interiors.
With portable lighting growing in popularity due to its flexibility and cordless convenience, Chant positions itself at the forefront of this design movement, bringing a luxurious edge to a typically utilitarian product category.
What sets ‘From Here Now’ apart from conventional design showcases is its experiential storytelling. Lee Broom has long been celebrated for creating exhibitions that engage multiple senses and evoke emotional responses. Here, he constructs an imagined narrative of discovery, curation, and legacy, where each room within Asia House reveals another chapter in the story.
This approach transforms the act of viewing into an immersive design journey. Visitors are not only introduced to lighting as a product but as a medium for storytelling—illuminating hidden corners, casting moody shadows, and encouraging moments of stillness and reflection.
The overall experience reflects the core philosophy of Lee Broom’s design practice, where light is never merely functional but plays a central role in shaping mood, atmosphere, and narrative.
The Lee Broom Tea Room
Adding another layer to the exhibition’s immersive quality is the creation of the Lee Broom Tea Room, located on the lower level and outdoor terrace of Asia House. This relaxed, thoughtfully designed space offers visitors a moment to pause, reset, and reflect, all while enjoying coffees, pastries, and a unique take on the afternoon tea experience.
This concept underscores Broom’s holistic approach to design—every detail, from lighting to hospitality, is considered in the pursuit of a memorable and meaningful visitor experience.
An Exhibition Aligned with 3daysofdesign’s Vision
Signe Byrdal Terenziani, CEO of 3daysofdesign, described Broom’s participation as a perfect match for the festival’s 2025 theme: KEEP IT REAL. “Lee Broom has an incredible ability to remain true to his creative vision,” she said. “This exhibition, with its personal storytelling, material authenticity, and emotional resonance, reflects everything 3daysofdesign stands for.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Broom himself, who sees ‘From Here Now’ as both a culmination of past journeys and a starting point for new explorations. “This is my first time presenting at 3daysofdesign,” Broom said. “It’s a hugely exciting moment for the brand, and I couldn’t imagine a more inspiring setting. The exhibition is about where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we’re heading next.”
All photography: Felix Speller
Lee Broom’s Legacy and the Future of Lighting Design
Lee Broom’s contribution to contemporary design is undeniable. Since founding his studio in 2007, he has continually pushed the boundaries of what lighting can be, transforming utilitarian objects into works of sculptural art. His pieces are now part of prestigious collections, and his installations have graced the world’s most iconic venues.
‘From Here Now’ is more than just a milestone in his career; it’s a defining moment for lighting design in 2025. As trends in portable lighting, multifunctional design, and immersive storytelling continue to grow, Broom’s work remains at the forefront, offering solutions that are both practical and poetic.
Whether it’s the luminous glow of Chant, the reimagining of timeless pieces, or the atmospheric beauty of the exhibition itself, ‘From Here Now’ cements Lee Broom’s reputation as a designer who not only creates light but gives it meaning.
