Poul Kjaerholm

Poul Kjærholm was a acclaimed Danish designer known for his innovative approach to furniture design. Born in Østervrå, Denmark, Kjærholm began his career as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice in 1948 and later attended the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen.

Kjærholm’s distinctive style emerged early in his career, with his PKO minimalist plywood series in 1952. He gained international acclaim in 1958 for his contributions to the ‘Formes Scandinaves’ exhibition in Paris and received the prestigious ‘Lunning Award’ the same year for his PK22 chair. His work continued to receive recognition, winning the Grand Prize at the Milan Triennale in both 1957 and 1960.

In 1959, Kjærholm became an assistant at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, eventually becoming a professor in 1976. His PK24 Chaise Longue, designed in 1965, exemplifies his mature style, combining steel and woven cane in simple, flowing lines. Kjærholm was awarded the Danish ID Prize for product design in 1967.

Unlike many of his contemporaries who favoured wood, Kjærholm chose steel as his primary material, often combining it with wood, leather, cane, or marble. He believed that steel had the same artistic merit as wood and leather, emphasizing its constructive potential and the refraction of light on its surface. His furniture, created between 1951 and 1980, has been described as profound essays on the relationship between the body, materials, and space.

Kjærholm’s legacy continues to influence modern design, and he is often referred to as a “furniture architect” for his functional and artistic approach to furniture making.