Fritz Hansen chairs

Fritz Hansen

The company was founded in Copenhagen in 1885 by cabinetmaker Fritz Hansen. Early on, their products became sought-after in public spaces such as the Copenhagen University Library and Christiansborg Palace. Together with his son Christian, he established a workshop focused on craftsmanship – a foundational value that still shapes the company today.

What sets Fritz Hansen apart from other brands is the ability to combine industrial production with artistic expression. Collaborations with designers like Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm, Kasper Salto and Børge Mogensen have played a key role in the development of Scandinavian modernism.

Arne Jacobsen, whose design language is characterised by organic lines and technical precision, has had a profound influence on Fritz Hansen’s design DNA. His chairs, the Series 7 and the Ant, were groundbreaking in their use of moulded wood and remain among the brand’s most popular pieces to this day. Alongside the chairs, the Egg and the Swan chairs are examples of how Fritz Hansen’s collaborations have helped establish a design legacy that continues to influence interiors today. These pieces are still in production and used in everything from private homes to public interiors.

Aurélien Barbry is one of the contemporary designers collaborating with Fritz Hansen. With a background in both industrial design and architecture, he works from a philosophy where form should serve function in an intuitive way. For Fritz Hansen, he has designed, among other things, the Cadence garden bench, a piece that combines a graphic, streamlined expression with high comfort.

Together with series such as Selandia, designed by the Skagerak Design Team, this demonstrates how the brand also unites functionality, durability, and a timeless design language within outdoor furniture. Barbry’s work reflects the brand’s ongoing ambition to develop design that is both functional and aesthetically long-lasting, even in outdoor environments.

Republic of Fritz Hansen – a contemporary perspective

In the 2000s, the company adopted the name Republic of Fritz Hansen – a step that marked a move toward a broader, more international market. It also reflected an increased focus on meeting the needs of modern interiors, whether residential, office, or public spaces. Despite its global expansion, the company retains a strong foundation in Danish craftsmanship.

In 2015, Republic of Fritz Hansen acquired the lighting brand Lightyears, expanding its product portfolio with lighting fixtures such as the Kaiser idell series, where the same focus on simplicity, quality, and function is expressed. Shortly thereafter, the Objects collection was also launched – a series of smaller products and interior details that demonstrate Fritz Hansen’s ability to create thoughtful design even on a smaller scale.

Fritz Hansen’s design principles

A key reason why Fritz Hansen’s furniture continues to be in high demand is the combination of aesthetic form and proven quality. The products are made with great care, often using natural and sustainable materials, and are built to last for generations. The fact that the Series 7 chair and several other models have been in production for over 60 years is a testament to both the design’s and the materials’ durability.

The design language is consistently functional, balanced with a visually light expression. A clear example of this is the PK series, designed by Poul Kjærholm, where materials, construction, and proportions come together in a well-balanced whole. The series, which includes pieces such as the PK22, PK25, and PK61, reflects Fritz Hansen’s ambition to unite industrial precision with a sense of craftsmanship.

Among Fritz Hansen’s most appreciated pieces – in addition to those already mentioned – is Poul Kjærholm’s PK22. This lounge chair was awarded the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale in 1957, a year after its launch. It remains a popular choice for those seeking Scandinavian minimalism in its most distilled form.

Part of NO GA’s curated assortment

At NO GA, you’ll find a broad selection of Fritz Hansen products – from iconic chairs and lounge chairs to contemporary interior objects and lighting. Today, the brand is a natural part of our curated collection of international design, offering products that combine precision in form with high-quality materials. The selection also includes thoughtfully designed desk chairs and refined outdoor furniture designed by, among others, Jakob Berg, maintaining the same high standard.

Whether you're looking for original Arne Jacobsen design or want to complement a modern interior with a design icon like the PK22, we offer a selection that reflects the best of the Republic of Fritz Hansen portfolio.