Interview
Malene Hvidt: Shaping Spaces Through Architecture, Art & Heritage
Discover how Danish architect Malene Hvidt of Spacon & X blends sustainable design, Nordic architecture, and family heritage. In this exclusive interview, she shares her creative process, inspirations, and legacy-driven projects.
Words Natalia Storm Photos Nicolaj Didriksen
How would you describe yourself? Are you a designer with an artist approach or an artist with a design approach?
I work fluently in the fields of design, architecture, and art—not having to define if I am one or the other. The beauty lies in their coexistence, especially when working with Gesamtkunstwerk (a synthesis of multiple art forms). For me, design is something between an artistic concept, a philosophy of life, and a personal expression. I also believe in celebrating imperfection. Every object or space carries a story, and I try to honour that through humble simplicity.
My work is rooted in Scandinavian design heritage, especially my grandfather’s firm, Hvidt & Mølgaard. Together with &Tradition, I’ve helped relaunch his furniture. I also collaborate with my sister Barbara on our project Les Mains des Soeurs, where we explore craftsmanship and jewellery design as a tactile, intimate narrative.
What has been your biggest source of inspiration?
My grandfather, Peter Hvidt. His quiet, detail-driven craftsmanship and mid-century Danish furniture legacy shaped how I see and approach design.
Working with &Tradition to bring some of those iconic pieces back to life, while remaining true to their original quality, has been both inspiring and deeply personal.
What is the story behind Spacon & X?
We founded Spacon & X to rethink spatial design, particularly how people live and work in cities. What started with small urban spaces has grown into a cross-disciplinary studio doing interior architecture, hospitality spaces, retail concepts, and even larger architectural projects.
What connects it all is our personalised, holistic approach. We prioritise storytelling, functionality, and sustainable design solutions. We use materials that are honest and tactile. Imperfection is embraced as part of the creative process.
" I believe in making people appreciate the beauty of glass — the delicate sensuality of the experience when the rim touches your lips."
Describe your creative process
Our process is rooted in history and time. Spacon & X was never meant to be a traditional studio. It’s a living, evolving creative hub where we experiment, test, and collaborate across disciplines—from graphic design and product design to weaving and carpentry.
We have a material lab where our team can work hands-on with both digital tools and analogue techniques. This openness fosters creativity and allows everyone to grow into their own voice.
How do you get unstuck creatively?
I question the status quo. That’s where new ideas come from.
At Spacon & X, we encourage “productive failure.” We challenge assumptions—even our clients’—and explore possibilities beyond the obvious. It’s not about playing it safe. It’s about creating a strong spatial identity with depth, purpose, and flexibility.
Second image:
‘Sticky Fingers’ – A sculptural collaboration with Byredo, blending artistry and craft.
What is your process before beginning a new project?
I spend a lot of time understanding the client—who they are, what values they hold, and how they engage with space. Our goal is to create long-lasting design solutions that go beyond trends. A strong brand identity, embedded into space and materials, is what makes a project memorable and adaptable over time.
Tell us about a project that has been your most outstanding achievement.
POPL, the burger restaurant by the Noma team, was special. We translated their refined sensibility and attention to detail into a democratic, urban space.
More recently, our 10-year anniversary publication, A Complete Work in Progress, has become a defining piece. It’s structured like an office-core binder with removable chapters—an honest, rebellious take on what a design archive could be.
What is your favourite object in your home?
A round coffee table with oval legs by Axel Einar Hjorth and a stool made of solid olive wood. I’ve collected stools for years—they’re sculptural yet functional, each one telling its own story.
The X-chair by Hvidt & Mølgaard means the most. It’s been in my home since I was born, and it carries my family’s legacy.
Which travel destination do you always return to?
Japan. The respect for detail, silence, and material culture is deeply aligned with how I work.
We’re also involved in projects in Shanghai and Seoul, which are becoming important creative destinations for me.