The Soulfuls X Kinraden: Designing spaces for belonging and inclusion
To kick off 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, The Soulfuls joined forces with Kinraden to host a roundtable that moved beyond surface-level aesthetics and into the heart of what design really means: connection, inclusion, and belonging.
3 Days of Design is a time to celebrate and spark meaningful conversations in the world of design. Designers, brands, architects, and creatives from around the globe come together in Copenhagen to share new ideas, products, and perspectives. But it’s not just about showcasing furniture, it’s about reimagining how we live, feel, and connect through design.
We often talk about design in terms of how things look, the colours, the textures, and the layout. But this conversation turned the spotlight toward something deeper: the emotional architecture of a space. Because true design isn’t just what you see, it’s what you feel.
In Danish, there’s a phrase: "rumly rum" It describes a space that feels spacious, not just physically, but emotionally. A room that holds more than just bodies; it holds stories, identities, and presence. It doesn’t demand perfection; it invites people to show up as they are, which often welcomes vulnerability.
That spirit of rumly rum shaped our conversation: how do we design spaces, both physical and emotional, that feel inclusive, expansive, and human? The goal of the conversation was to start a conversation and, by the end, have actionable ways each of us can help create more inclusive spaces, starting with the very next room we walk into.
"Excuse the mess."
The Soulfuls were warmly welcomed by the team at Kinraden. Despite the beautiful setup and the clear effort that had gone into hosting, the team humbly said, “Excuse the mess,” noting their recent move. But it quickly became clear: it’s not the room that creates the community, it’s the people in it. The warm, bubbly energy filling the space was already beginning to leave its mark, turning Kinraden’s new space into a home, one filled with laughter, connection, and the beginning of more conversations just like this.
Aram opened the conversation by just being her usual honest and playful self with a cultural anecdote:
"Sorry I have my back facing anyone, what an Iranian thing to say."
We all laughed. Some immediately understood the reference, while others recognised it from their own cultures. That small moment, casual, honest, specific, was inclusion. Aram brought her full self into the room without explaining herself. And nobody asked her to. We just got it or we didn’t, and either way, it was okay. Without even knowing it, just being yourself can inspire inclusion in a space.
What does belonging feel like?
The first question the panel discussed was what does belonging mean to you?
With many voices, including both mentees and mentors, across generations, industries, cultures and lived experience, we had a wave of reflections that offered so much.
One metaphor that emerged: the “messy drawer.”
You know the one, full of random things you need but don’t want to explain. The batteries for the remote. The mysterious key. The thing you think might be trash but aren’t ready to throw out.
It’s chaotic. But it’s also essential. And in many ways, it’s us. Our fears. Our quirks. Our real stories.
“Space is the vessel that holds what we see, the wholeness we bring when we show up with all parts of ourselves: our light, our darkness, and everything in between. It’s where we make room for the unspoken messiness, the quiet weight we carry, rarely voiced, yet deeply woven into who we are.”
— Liza Chong, CEO, Design Impact Funds
We hide our mess because we’re afraid it’s too much. That people won’t understand. But maybe, just maybe, the drawer is where vulnerability lives. If we can’t bring our “mess” into a room, what are we actually bringing?
Despite the variety of answers, one truth stood out: belonging means being able to show up as you are. Too often, we question how much of our true selves we can bring into a space. From “Can I wear my hair in its natural form, or is it too much?”.To “should I shorten my name so people can pronounce it?”. These small decisions shape how we show up and how much space we feel allowed to take. But when we truly belong, we bring our whole selves, and that’s where real connection begins.
“Belonging can be a two-way street; it’s something we co-create by being open, curious, and brave with each other and ourselves.”
— Anna Le, Mentee of The Soulfuls
What makes a truly inclusive space?
This question brought up the topic of intentionality. Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident, it requires intention and a willingness to go first. Sometimes, it’s as simple as being the one to break the silence, to greet someone with openness, or to admit something honest like, “I’m on my period today, so I might be a little low-energy.” That vulnerability can open the door for others to do the same.
“It is how we greet one another with openness, with care, with the willingness to take that first step toward connection, that turns a space into a sanctuary.”
— Christina Neustrup, CEO & Brand Director, Kinraden
Creating a truly inclusive space means rethinking the norms and removing hierarchies. It’s asking questions that don’t rely on titles or status, but on curiosity. “What does your name mean?”. “What brings you joy lately?” These are the kinds of questions that invite people to show up as people, not just as roles.
Intentional design plays a role, too. Christina shared how, at one of their events, they slowed down the coffee machine so people had to wait a little longer, and in that pause, conversations started. People filled the silence naturally, often with something real.
“Each of us carries a book of stories, and we need spaces that let all its chapters unfold, allowing us to belong both individually and as a collective.”
— Dorsa Ali Zadeh, Project Manager & Architect, Spacon
What element invites connection?
When we asked, “What do you wish we saw more of in spaces?” the answers echoed a shared longing for simplicity: play, softness, and genuine curiosity. Not grand designs or perfect layouts, but the kind of human touches that quietly dismantle barriers.
Connection is often sparked by the smallest things. A playful element in the room, like the child-like wonder that comes when someone brings their dog into the office or the joy that comes from seeing a colleague's baby for the first time. These things instantly shift the energy. It disrupts the stiffness that sometimes accompanies professional settings and invites us to relax into our humanity.
Play isn’t just about fun; it’s a subtle form of permission. It allows people to let their guard down without needing to justify or explain themselves.
“Belonging grows in spaces that don’t demand translation. Where people can bring their own selves and be met with openness. Play is a subtle, radical tool for this. It lowers the guard, invites curiosity, and lets us connect without needing to explain anything.”
— Akanksha Deo Sharma, Designer, IKEA
And then there’s the physical space, a comfy chair that feels like it’s hugging you back, the type of chair you gravitate towards at a cosy cafe that invites you to relax your shoulders. soft lighting that calms the nervous system, or a communal area designed for lingering, not just passing through. These elements offer emotional cues: You’re safe here. You’re welcome to stay.
It’s in these quiet design choices, both physical and emotional, that connection takes root.
“Spatial spaces foster a sense of belonging, courage, and openness. They inspire fresh perspectives, creativity, and encourage authentic connection, making room for growth, curiosity, and new ideas to flourish.”
— Aya Al-Maliki, Mentee of The Soulfuls
The takeaway: How do we carry belonging with us?
If inclusion is a room, then it’s one we all help build, not just with beautiful materials or perfectly placed Scandi chairs, but with our presence, our questions, and our intention.
The beauty of this conversation is that it left us with not only insights but action.
Here are a few practical ways we can all design more inclusive spaces:
Go first. Be the one to say hello. Break the awkward silence. Share something real.
Invite vulnerability. Model it.
Dismantle hierarchy. Ask warm, human questions:
Design for comfort. Add a chair that hugs you back. Dim the lights. Slow the coffee timer to create natural moments for connection.
Integrate play. Make space for joy, an office dog, welcome children, or something unexpected that softens the space.
“Creating a safe environment where we can be ourselves doesn't come easily. It takes a lot of work. It takes a deep look into what makes us feel centered. By creating these spaces for ourselves, we get closer to being able to provide the same to someone else. We all want to feel heard rather than judged. Let's start creating these empathetic spaces within, so we can show up better and with love to ourselves and towards others."
— Jessica de Oliveira Benedito, Mentee of The Soulfuls
So we leave you with this:
How will you carry the feeling of belonging into the next room you step into?
What can you do to make someone feel like they’re welcome to take up space?
Thank you to everyone who participated, showed up, and brought their full selves into the space. You made it what it was: warm, brave, human and beautifully inclusive.
