MILAN — Three years after a major rebranding, Audo Copenhagen opened its first Audo House, or flagship, outside Scandinavia in a historic TriBeCa building in New York.
In 2023, two torchbearers of Danish modernist design, historic brands Menu and By Lassen, merged into one house: Audo Copenhagen. Both Menu and by Lassen were acquired by Flos B&B Italia group (formerly Design Holding) in 2022.
In June 2023, Joachim Kornbek Engell-Hansen, grandson of Menu founder Simon Hansen and son of Bjarne Hansen (who turned Menu into a lifestyle brand), rose to the creative helm as design and brand director at the age of 30.
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On Friday, the firm said it took a key step in its international expansion story with its new 62 Laight Street space. Spanning about 3,500 square feet, the design was inspired by Audo’s Danish roots and New York’s urban rhythm and was styled by New York-based interior stylist and creative director Colin King. King also played a role in the inaugural Audo House in Copehangen in 2023 — he designed an installation set inside the penthouse of the multifunctional space, which included pieces from the collection he designed.
Kornbek-Engell Hansen said the New York City Audo House was envisaged as a hub to welcome a broader community.
“With Audo House New York, our goal was to create a dialogue between our Copenhagen roots and the distinctive character of New York. Located in a historic TriBeCa building, the space harmonizes Scandinavian calm with the raw texture and vibrant energy of the neighborhood — offering a setting where design, culture and community seamlessly come together,” he reflected.
He said the U.S. is a buoyant market where the dialogue between design and hospitality continues to evolve.
“The American market has been at the forefront of blending hospitality and residential design — something that resonates deeply with Audo’s philosophy and the idea of creating spaces that feel both personal and experiential,” Kornbek-Engell Hansen said.
For now, there are no other openings planned, as the firm is focused on scouting the right locations and formats that can support the full Audo experience — combining brand storytelling, professional engagement and hospitality-driven environments.
“While no specific openings have been officially announced, cities such as Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago are naturally interesting markets due to their strong architecture and design communities, as well as growing hospitality sectors,” he said.
At Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 in April, Audo Copenhagen unveiled The Grand Café, an immersive architectural installation inspired by the spirit of Italy’s historic salons and which showcased the firm’s hospitality experience. Designed by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects in collaboration with Art Director Christian Møller Andersen, the space combined Italian historicism with the disciplined geometry of 1930s modernism.