Aria Journal:

News
Editor's Choice
Interiors Inspiration
Design Tips
On Trend
Designer Q&As
Whats On
Fritz Hansen: 150 Years Of Visionary Design

Fritz Hansen: 150 Years Of Visionary Design

Posted on By Jennifer Ring



The story of Fritz Hansen began in 1872, when a young cabinet maker set up shop with his son in Copenhagen. The designer quickly became known for his innovative approach, re-designing the Victorian curved sofa on a thin steel frame and experimenting with revolutionary woodturning techniques to create chairs and fixture details. The Fritz Hansen name became increasingly popular over the subsequent decades, both within Denmark and abroad, as the rise of Danish modernism radiated throughout post-war America.
 
Embodying a modern Nordic simplicity, Fritz Hansen continue to bring extraordinary designs to life in collaboration with visionary artists, designers and architects from around the world.




1936 – Kaiser Idell  

Originally designed by Christian Dell for Fritz Hansen in 1936 the Kaiser Idell Lamp has established itself as one of the most iconic lights of the 20th Century. Characterised by its combination of geometric elements, Kaiser Idell fuses precise engineering with modernist design principles of the Bauhaus.

 

 

 


 1949 – Planner Shelving

 

Planner Shelving designed in 1949 by Paul McCobb for Fritz Hansen, is characterised by its clean lines and streamlined form. Fusing heritage and modernity, this collection of storage and display units illustrates McCobb’s signature graphic style with a mid-century modern aesthetic. The elegant, Bauhaus-inspired frame is crafted from powder-coated steel in black with each individual joint welded by hand.

Paul McCobb was a pioneer of democratic design, whose creations filled the homes of Mid-Century America with lasting quality. His portfolio of work includes some of the most significant designs of the 20th Century.


 

 

1955 – Series 7

 

Fritz Hansen began working with Arne Jacobsen in the 1930s, going on to launch the phenomenally successful Series 7™ chair in 1955.
 
Having established itself as one the most iconic chairs in the history of design, the Series 7 collection received a brand new look in 2020, with a rainbow of 16 new finishes developed by colour expert Carla Sozzani.


 

 



Arne Jacobsen

 

In 1956 Arne Jacobsen  was invited  by  Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS) to create ‘the world’s first design hotel’;  the  22-storey hotel, located in the centre of Copenhagen, is widely  considered  to  be  the pinnacle masterpiece of Jacobsen’s career. The hotel was designed on the methodology of “gesamtkunstwerk”, translating as - ‘complete artwork.’ with every element, including the exterior architecture and interior spaces, designed as a singular vision. 

Some of Fritz Hansen’s most iconic designs, the Egg™ and the Swan™ chairs, were developed specifically for the SAS Hotel, and remain two of the brand’s most sought-after chairs to this day.

 

 

Room 606 - The Arne Jacobsen Suite at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Copenhagen has been preserved in its entirety as a living museum to the designer's work. The Suite is the only room left untouched after decades of renovation and is still available for bookings.

 

 

2016 – Objects

 

Fritz Hansen launched the first “Objects” series, designed to enhance the beauty of the everyday. The Ikebana vase collection designed by Jaime Hayon references the spirit of Japan’s ancient ikebana tradition, highlighting each single-stemmed flower within its own container.

 



The Objects series includes the multi-functional Pouf designed by Cecilie Manz, a tactile upholstered ottoman which doubles-up as both a footstool and an extra seat. The elegant circular form is crafted with supreme quality woven linen upholstery and finished with leather binding.


 

By Jennifer Ring