Since our very first workshop with Furnishing Utopia in 2015 and the debut collection launch in 2016, we never imagined that this collaborative project would one day be recognized by one of the world’s leading institutions—the Vitra Design Museum.
Furnishing Utopia was originally initiated by our friends John and Wonhee Arndt of Studio Gorm, the project began as a shared curiosity about the philosophy of the American Shakers. What started as a study of their design sensibilities evolved into a nearly decade-long journey exploring their holistic worldview—one rooted in the Shaker belief of “being in the world, but not of the world.”
This year, at the Vitra Design Museum in collaboration with the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia, the Wüstenrot Foundation, and the Shaker Museum, they opened the exhibit, ‘The Shakers: A World in the Making’ in early June and will be on view at the Vitra Design Museum until 9/28/2025.
We’re incredibly honored to have Furnsihing Utopia be included in the museum publication that features its historic exhibits as well as artist contributions, in addition to thematic essays and interviews from leading scholars and academics.
FURNISHING UTOPIA: is a collaborative design project that explores the legacy of American Shaker communities through contemporary design. Founded in 2015, it began as a research initiative bringing together international designers to study Shaker artifacts, architecture, and philosophy through immersive workshops at historic sites such as Hancock Shaker Village and Mount Lebanon. The Shakers’ values of simplicity, utility, and communal living—expressed through their furniture, tools, and spatial design—serve as a foundation for creative interpretation and dialogue. By engaging directly with historical objects and spaces, participants develop new work that reflects the enduring relevance of Shaker ideals in today’s world. Through exhibitions and workshops, Furnishing Utopia fosters a deep exploration of how Shaker aesthetics and ethics—centered on equality, craftsmanship, and intentional living—can inform modern design. The project ultimately serves as a bridge between past and present, using design as a tool for cultural reflection and the imagination of better ways of living.
Since that first workshop, L&G Studio has been heavily involved in the organization of various workshops, collaborative programming, and curation of a series of exhibitions from 2016 to 2023. The project has continued to grow as a living exploration of how the Shakers’ timeless values can inspire contemporary design and intentional ways of living.
READ MORE ABOUT : The Shakers: A World in the Making
“The Shakers were more than a religious community - they were creators of a clear, functional design language that still resonates today. This book explores the principles and ideals of the Shakers, which are rooted in simplicity, equality, communal values and pacifism. Essays and object texts provide insight into the historical development of their furniture and architecture, which are regarded as forerunners of modern design and architectural language. Contemporary artists and designers critically reflect on the ongoing relevance of this unique culture in the 21st century. Featuring contributions by Glenn Adamson, Aaron Betsky, Amie Cunat, Jeffrey De Blois, Chris Liljenberg Halstr0m, David Hartt, Sarah Margolis-Pineo, Christien Meindertsma, Kameelah Janan Rasheed, Finnegan Shannon, Mabel 0. Wilson, Reggie Wilson, and others, the richly illustrated volume brings together archival material, newly commissioned photography, and critical perspectives on Shaker influence today.”
