Many people recognise Arne Jacobsen as the designer behind the everyday-chairs, or as the creator of immensely popular design icons.
Arne Emil Jacobsen – A Pioneer of Functionalism
Arne Emil Jacobsen was born in Copenhagen in 1902. His design represents the essence of functionalism.
Although he initially trained as a bricklayer, he later pursued architecture studies in Copenhagen between 1924 and 1927. After graduating, he worked at Paul Holsøe’s architectural firm, but it didn’t take long before he opened his own practice. Many renowned architects and designers began their careers under Jacobsen, including Hans J Wegner, Jørgen Møller, and Jørgen Gammelgaard.
Jacobsen firmly believed that the design of buildings and their interiors should be determined through analysis, in true functionalist spirit. Buildings and furniture were meant to complement each other.
Collaboration with Fritz Hansen
Jacobsen’s collaboration with furniture manufacturer Fritz Hansen began in the 1930s, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that production fully took off. To this day, Fritz Hansen continues to produce Jacobsen’s furniture.
The Ant Chair (Myran)
In 1951–52, Jacobsen introduced the Ant Chair, a three-legged seat made of molded plywood, which is still in production today—now with four legs.
"Myran"
SAS Royal Hotel – A Masterpiece
One of Jacobsen’s greatest achievements is the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, completed in 1960. The hotel is home to two of his most iconic furniture pieces, The Swan and The Egg, featuring molded fiberglass shells with foam padding.
Jacobsen drew inspiration from the American design duo Charles and Ray Eames. However, due to technical limitations at the time, producing a single-piece molded chair was not yet possible. As production techniques evolved, Jacobsen was able to push his designs even further.
The Egg Chair
The Egg Chair, designed for Fritz Hansen, remains one of his most celebrated works.
"The Egg," designed for Fritz Hansen. This particular example was sold at Göteborgs Auktionsverk for 32,000 SEK.
More Than Just Furniture
Jacobsen’s design legacy extends beyond furniture and architecture—he also designed textiles, bathroom fixtures, and even a cutlery series. Despite his wide-ranging work, he always saw himself primarily as an architect.
Some of his most famous models include:
The Ant Chair
The Series 7 Chair
The Swan
The Egg
The Lily Chair
The Grand Prix Chair
The Drop Chair
Many of these models are still in production today.
Even after his passing in 1971, Jacobsen’s influence remains strong. His Series 7 Chair continues to be one of the best-selling chairs in the world, found in countless homes across the globe.
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