Trolley AJ TROLLEY FRITZ HANSEN

1.
Arne JACOBSEN

Born in Copenhagen in 1902, Arne Jacobsen trained as a mason at the Technical College in Copenhagen, before studying architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he graduated in 1927. He initially worked for Paul Holsoe, an architect, before founding his own practice in 1930. One of his significant creations was the Bellavista apartment block in Klampenborg (1933-1934), which earned him the nickname "Danish Le Corbusier." From 1934 onwards, Jacobsen worked closely with Fritz Hansen, a company he was particularly proud of. His furniture can be found in museums and hotels worldwide. Jacobsen was a key figure in the Danish functionalist movement, advocating for rational, functional architecture. He also laid the groundwork for Scandinavian organic modernism. The 1950s were among Jacobsen's most productive years. In 1952, he designed the Ant Chair for a major pharmaceutical company, which remains one of Denmark's best-selling furniture pieces. One of its variations, the Series 7 chair or 3107, was also a commercial success. In 1958, one of his most significant projects began: the design and fitting-out of the SAS Royal in Copenhagen. This project produced the iconic Egg and Swan armchairs, along with the AJ lamps, all characterized by their elegant, timeless design. Arne Jacobsen's legacy is still very much present in Denmark, where many buildings, houses, theatres, schools, and hotels bear his signature. Internationally, his greatest achievement was the design of St Catherine's College, Oxford, which gave rise to the famous Oxford chair. Fritz Hansen continues to produce Jacobsen's pieces, which have become design classics. His influence on Scandinavian design is still evident today.