Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) was a significant architect and designer. With his trail-breaking architectural projects, inspired by the Bauhaus style, he had a major influence on functionalism, even beyond the Danish borders. His furniture designs have a clear formal language. Because of their flowing lines, they seem fluid and organic. During his career, Arne Jacobsen earned honors and prizes as well as honorary doctorates.
After he completed school, Arne Jacobsen first performed a stonemason apprenticeship. He then studied architecture in Copenhagen. After graduating in 1927 he worked for the building authority before opening his own business. His initial building projects also included furniture. One of his most famous projects is the Royal SAS Hotel in Copenhagen (completed in 1960). It is a kind of overall work-of- art which encompasses the building, the chairs and even the cutlery. Another milestone was his participation in the field of industrial design at the Documenta III in Kassel, Germany.
Jacobsen's designs have long since gained the status of modern classics. His chairs are now produced by Fritz Hansen. Presented in the series 7, with a chrome-plated structure and a mostly coloured shell in a single piece they are among the most popular and most often sold - and maybe also the most copied - chairs. They go back to the three-legged "ant" chair from 1952. The Egg Chair and "Swan", both designed for the Royal SAS Hotel, are also successful design classics.
The manufacturer of light fixtures Louis Poulsen produces Arne Jacobsen's floor lamps, suspensions and table lamps and offers them in its portfolio. The famous AJ floor lamp was first designed for the Radisson and still looks modern.
Portrait: Louis Poulsen