Arne Jacobsen chairs

Arne Jacobsen 1902-1971

Arne Jacobsen was born in 1902 in Copenhagen and through the years became one of Denmark’s most famous designers and architects. Jacobsen came from a middle-class family and initially trained as a bricklayer before studying architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen between 1924-27.

After he graduated, Jacobsen found work in Paul Holsoe’s architectural office. His first major breakthrough as an architect came in 1929 with a winning proposal in a competition for the House of the Future. The following year he set up his own office in Hellerup and began collaborating with the Danish manufacturer Fritz Hansen, which still produces his furniture today.

In the late 1950s, Arne Jacobsen designed the world’s leading design hotel, the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, where he was responsible for all interiors and furniture. The end result was a stunning fusion of exterior and interior design. In the process, he created the design classics Ägget, Sjuan, Svanen, the 3300 series and the AJ lamps. Jacobsen’s career took off with the hotel, and his name became known around the world. The furniture in the hotel is today among Fritz Hansen’s greatest achievements, along with the Myran chair, which was designed for the staff dining room in the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

Architecture and design philosophy

Arne Jacobsen first became known as a champion of functionalism and believed that one had to analyse the structure and use of the building in order to design the interior. He strongly believed that architecture and interior design should complement each other. In addition to buildings and furniture, Jacobsen also designed other products for Georg Jensen, such as textiles and cutlery, which are still just as popular today. During his lifetime, Jacobsen decorated and designed several embassies and town halls around Europe, contributing to the growing popularity of Danish design throughout the 20th century.

Jacobsen won several prestigious awards during his lifetime, including the Eckersberg Medal in 1936 and the C.F. Hansen Medal in 1955. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Oxford University in 1966. Jacobsen is considered a leading designer both in Denmark and internationally. After his death in 1971, he has continued to be celebrated. Among other things, the seven-poster is a constant favourite, found in countless homes around the world.