
Poul Kjærholm Designs the PK23™ Lounge Chair for Fritz Hansen
Amy Duong — January 14, 2025 — Art & Design
References: fritzhansen & design-milk
Danish designer Poul Kjærholm created the PK23™ Lounge Chair for Fritz Hansen. Kjærholm is known for his work in steel with expertise in bending sheets and rods. The chair is defined by its wide and double seated position which seems to be gloating off of the ground with its elegant legs made from metal materials. This aligns with the designer's aesthetic and the studio has consulted with Poul Kjærholm's family to bring the chair to life.
This is a way for the children of the designer to contribute to their father's work. His son, Thomas Kjærholm noted, “The radical design of making a shell, cutting it in half and then twisting it, so that it holds you, is very much in the Poul Kjærholm idiom. Also, it shows everything, not hiding the structure behind upholstery or foam, and the way it is held together with the metal bracket."
Image Credit: Fritz Hansen
This is a way for the children of the designer to contribute to their father's work. His son, Thomas Kjærholm noted, “The radical design of making a shell, cutting it in half and then twisting it, so that it holds you, is very much in the Poul Kjærholm idiom. Also, it shows everything, not hiding the structure behind upholstery or foam, and the way it is held together with the metal bracket."
Image Credit: Fritz Hansen
Trend Themes
1. Retro-modern Furniture Revival - Blending modern minimalism with retro style, the PK23™ Lounge Chair exemplifies a resurgence in demand for classic mid-century design aesthetics amongst modern consumers.
2. Visible Structural Design - The emphasis on exposing the chair's metal framework rather than concealing it under upholstery showcases a growing trend of transparent structural designs in the furniture industry.
3. Heritage-based Collaborations - Involving the designer's family in the product creation process underscores a trend towards leveraging heritage and familial insights to create authentic and narrative-rich design pieces.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Furniture Market - The release of the PK23™ chair taps into the luxury furniture market by offering exclusive, high-design pieces that appeal to consumers seeking bespoke and exceptional craftsmanship.
2. Sustainable Metal Fabrication - As metal remains a core material in the PK23™ design, the industry of sustainable metal fabrication gains attention, focusing on eco-friendly production methods to meet modern environmental standards.
3. Designer Heritage Brands - Companies that highlight their historical design roots and familial successions are forging strong brand identities in the designer heritage space, appealing to consumers' desire for genuine storytelling in products.
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