FRITZ HANSEN & KVADRAT TRIP

Thanks to Fritz Hansen, Kvadrat and The Furniture Practice for their hospitality during my visit.

A painfully early morning alarm is always worth it when heading away on a design trip. This time Danish brands Fritz Hansen and Kvadrat joined forces to give us a better insight into their products and heritage whilst also giving us a glimpse into an exciting future. I’ve been keen to attend this trip for a long time and I’m very pleased to say that it was even better than I could have imagined!

FRITZ HANSEN HQ

Fritz Hansen is a Danish brand that has a long history with a number of iconic designers most notably Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjærholm. They don’t just rely on their history though, their contemporary collaborations with designers such as Jaime Hayon are modern day classics and inject fresh innovative ideas into the brand. 

The home of Fritz Hansen is a truly striking piece of architecture combining strong concrete lines, large windows and timber detailing with beautifully maintained grounds. The Headquarters acted as a frame to the furniture and provided many Instagram-able shots. A healthy buffet is offered to staff daily and the space in which they enjoy their lunch is brightly lit due to the large wall of full-height glazing facing out to the grounds beyond. Each time I visit Denmark I realise how good their work-life balance is, they understand that happy staff will work more productively and are more likely to stick around. What a place to work!

Following our lovely lunch, we all headed into the grounds for a group photo!

The tour started in the ‘Legacy’ area which tells the story of Fritz Hansen from the beginning. I was surprised to discover that Fritz Hansen founded the company back in 1872! The exhibition space covered the various stages in the development of the brand from the early use of timber through to steam bending techniques and the use of veneers. Through their design-led innovative spirit they shifted towards pressure moulding and the use of alternative materials such as plastics, fabrics and metals in many of the later designs.

“Innovation is an essential factor for moving forward” – Fritz Hansen Exhibition Space 

Pressure moulding produced one of Arne Jacobsen’s most famous pieces, the ‘ant’ chair which then led to the production of the ‘Series 7’ and ‘Grand Prix’. It’s clear that the brand has lasted the test of time due to its constant innovation and ability to do this whilst staying true to its heritage and style. In 1952, at the age of 23, Poul Kjærholm continued this innovation by producing a number of iconic designs using steel. Following this, in 1970, Verner Panton created the ‘Pantonova’ which is one of the most famous sculptural designs from this period.

“I consider steel a material with the same artistic merit as wood and leather” - Poul Kjærholm

Fritz Hansen worked with Arne Jacobsen to create some of the most iconic pieces within their collection. Personally, I’m drawn to the way in which designers such as Arne Jacobsen created furniture to compliment the architectural projects that they were also involved in; the ‘swan’ and ‘egg’ chairs are perfect examples of this. With this in mind, it’s very interesting that Fritz Hansen is more of a lifestyle brand that offers not only furniture but the accessories to produce an overall scheme. 

LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

During our trip we also visited one of the world’s most famous modern art galleries and enjoyed drinks in the gardens. It was a lovely way to reflect on the day and to get chatting as a group!

COPENHAGEN WALKING TOUR

The following day, after a rather boozy night out in Copenhagen’s Meat Packing District we all headed out for a design-led walking tour of the city. One of the most notable parts of the tour was the visit to the famous Radisson Collection Royal ‘SAS’ Hotel. An Arne Jacobsen designed hotel that’s famous for being the first skyscraper in Copenhagen. In addition to this it is best known as being the project in which Jacobsen designed everything from the modernist structure to the furniture and even the cutlery for the restaurant. An amazing example of how meticulous attention to detail can ensure a design remains appreciated for years to come.

Recently Space Copenhagen have carefully renovated the Entrance and Lobby areas, they’ve given new life to the design whilst respecting the charm that was present when the building was unveiled by Jacobsen back in 1960. The new furniture pieces use the latest Kvadrat fabrics, most notably the new range by fashion designer Raf Simons. This gives the space a modern twist and keeps it fresh rather than becoming a time capsule. 

One of my major highlights from the trip was the visit to the iconic ‘Room 606’. Since the opening of the building this room has remained the same and it truly was an honour to spend time in the space – especially after hearing of the people who have stayed in the room! 

KVADRAT

We enjoyed traditional open sandwiches by the harbour at Kvadrat’s beautiful showroom space. Since 1968 Kvadrat has been a leading innovator within the world of fabrics. I particularly love the new range with Raf Simons that was launched during Milan Design Week earlier on this year. 

KVADRAT + REALLY

It was particularly interesting to hear from Wickie Meier Engström, founding director of Really, a company that is partly owned by Kvadrat. I was struck by her passion and drive towards a more sustainable future where we utilise textile waste to create new materials. ‘Really’ uses the waste to produce an acoustic material for the architecture and design world. It was particularly interesting to hear that fashion houses had started using the material within their spaces as a way to re-use their own waste. Kvadrat is a brand that wants to create circular solutions and their connection with Really allows them to become a more sustainable brand.

“It’s not about being the best in the world it’s about being the best for the world” – Founding Director, Wickie Meier Engström