Fritz Hansen
Fritz Hansen furniture – design that has won over the world
Fritz Hansen furniture has traditionally been created by great architects and designers, and in its time has naturally become part of leading architecture around the world. It is a natural part of the image of international companies and the identity of modern city dwellers. Founded in Denmark in 1872, the company looks back on a long history of collaboration with leading international designers, whose visionary concepts – and the spaces they helped transform – it brought to life.
The story behind Fritz Hansen's standing is as remarkable as the furniture that defines it. It begins with a visionary master cabinetmaker from the provinces, whose name today embodies a defining design philosophy – one that still inspires leading architects and designers around the world more than 140 years later. Fritz Hansen came to Copenhagen in Denmark in 1872, set up his first joinery workshop and, by 1885, had made a name for himself with his own furniture range.
A new generation and growing internationalisation – and the acquisition of the Danish family business Skagerak
Around the turn of the century, the founder handed the business over to his son Christian E. Hansen, who quickly built the company's reputation with prestigious commissions, including for the Danish royal family. A commission for Copenhagen City Hall led to the company's first collaboration with an architect.
After the company moved to industrial production of its furniture in the 20th century, it soon began to look abroad as Christian Hansen's sons joined the business. Denmark's first steel furniture, for example, found recognition in New York in the USA, but not on the home market.
Fritz Hansen has expanded its portfolio with outdoor furniture through the acquisition of Skagerak. Skagerak, a Danish family business focused on responsible design and production, is a natural fit with Fritz Hansen's Nordic design traditions and quality standards.
Fritz Hansen design classics by Arne Jacobsen and other great names in design
The now legendary Arne Jacobsen worked for Fritz Hansen from the 1930s. His star only really began to rise in 1952, however, when he recognised the potential of the moulded plywood techniques perfected by the founder's grandson, Søren Hansen. It all started with the Ant, a chair that remains one of the most important in the company's history. Jacobsen later designed the Egg and Swan chairs for his own modernist masterpiece, the Royal Hotel in the heart of Copenhagen. Both chairs are now timeless international style icons. His Oxford chair epitomises Fritz Hansen design, embodying originality, simplicity and lightness as well as sculptural qualities.
Through its collaboration with visionary designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm and Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen has shaped the Danish design tradition. The Republic of Fritz Hansen brand was created to reflect the company's international outlook and its openness to international designers and architects. The company is based on a design philosophy that is meant to be timeless yet relevant, simple, original and sculptural.
The Danish lighting company Lightyears has been part of Fritz Hansen since 2015. Working closely with internationally renowned designers and architects, the manufacturer develops and produces high-quality modern lighting that combines tradition and innovation, continuing a proud tradition of fine craftsmanship, quality and timeless design.
