J-emine's reflexionando

Arne Jacobsen’s fauteuil (reads: armchair, easychair) – is undisputedly represented by his pivotal design – the Egg- easily recognised as one of the most iconic furniture design both in Denmark and around the world. Jacobsen was a Danish architect and furniture designer, known for his functionalism and simple designs. Whilst being known for his furniture designs – Jacobsen believed he was first and foremost an Architect.

The Egg, Swan chairs – two of his successful chair designs (Ant chair as well) were designed as part of large commissions, in this case, specifically for SAS Royal Hotel. It’s been acclaimed that SAS Royal Hotel – gave Jacobsen the opportunity to designed what has been called “the world’s first designer hotel” – where he designed everything from the buildings, furniture, fittings – down to the ashtray!

The Egg chair (pictured above) was the only Jacobsen design in the exhibition and I took a liking for it; likely because I’ve seen replicas of this chair and had no idea it was an iconic piece. The Egg is said to be inspired by Eero Sarrinen’s Womb chair and made with a new technical approach, rather than using steel and hard-frame, it was shaped in hard foam material, padded and upholstered. Using malleable materials, Jacobsen in a sculptor like approach, created a characteristic shape of the Egg, and with the use of soft lines, created a contrast to glass, steel or other find materials that surrounded the hotel’s design and contour – making it a pivotal feature in the hotel. Taking note the use of foam, made it easier for guests to swivel, recline but also very easy for housekeeping to move it around when cleaning too.

Guess we’ll need to check out the SAS Royal Hotel (renamed: Radisson Collection Royal Copenhagen) when we head to Copenhagen in the future!