Simple. Functional. Elegant.
Danish design is all about living well, not in an extravagant sense, but in a considered way. Much like the design approach of its Scandinavian neighbours, Danish design is rooted in natural materials and traditional craftsmanship; it’s design with a purpose that makes life not just look better and feel better but be better. It’s an approach that is reflected in its furniture, architecture, household objects, jewellery and fashion, and even town planning.
This country of fewer than six million people has produced some of the greatest architects and designers of the last hundred years, whose legacy and influence can be seen around the world.
Often referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ of Danish design1, the period spanning the 1930s to the 1970s saw the production of what are now considered to be classics of mid-century design. Hans Wegner’s iconic Wishbone Chair and Round Chair, and architect and designer Arne Jacobson’s Egg chair and AJ Floor Lamp are just a few examples.
Jacobson was also the architect of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. The Danish capital’s first skyscraper, its ribbon windows reflected the passing clouds, connecting this very urban construction with the natural world. It was regarded “the world’s first designer hotel”; Jacobson designed every detail, from the minimalist façade to the surrounding landscape, its furniture and even the cutlery.
This holistic approach is, according to the Danish Design Council, typical of Danish design. Through research, the council has identified ten values of what it calls ‘Danish Design DNA’²: Social, Quality, Human, Factual, Simple, Durable, Craftsmanship, Collaborative and Holistic. These interlacing and overlapping values are ultimately what sets Danish design apart. Its products and architecture are not designed in isolation, they are meant to be used, to last, and to be timeless.
Denmark’s design influence is not restricted to the mid-twentieth century, it continues to shape design in the 21st century. This is particularly marked in contemporary architecture around the world, in which the use of a limited material palette, clean lines, open plan living spaces and connection to the outdoors through expansive glazing, were pioneered by Jacobson and others, such as Jorn Utzon (the architect behind Sydney Opera House).
Pavilion House in Suffolk, designed by Danish architect Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects, is a contemporary home that perfectly showcases the qualities of considered Danish design. Using natural materials and glazed façades, its inhabitants can enjoy space and light that links directly with its rural landscape.
Combining simple yet beautiful design with high performance materials that are built to last, VELFAC windows and doors are also a product of this very Danish approach design. The slim sightlines and modular aesthetic matches them perfectly with modern architecture and help to bring the outside in.
For more information, visit velfac.co.uk/windows