When we think of modern design, nobody embodies Danish mid-century more than Hans Wegner. Contributing to Scandinavian furniture’s international popularity, Wegner’s philosophy of ‘Organic Functionality’ championed utilitarian and ergonomic design that was useful to the everyday person but still retained a minimalist elegance. At the heart of Wegner’s work, there was a heavy focus on master craftsmanship and the use of quality materials. By age 18, he had completed four years’ worth of training with cabinetmaker H. F. Stahlberg and later moved to Copenhagen where he studied at The School of Arts and Crafts from 1936 to 1938. After his studies, Wegner began working with renowned architects and designers Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller in 1938 and was commissioned to create pieces for the new Aarhus City Hall. Eventually establishing his own design studio in 1943, Wegner would go on to design iconic models that we all know and love to this day such as the CH24 ‘Wishbone’ chair, the CH35 armchair, CH25 lounge chair and the CH28 ‘Sawback’ chair. Many of his designs are still testament to the modernity of mid-century Danish design and have become classic staples within the Design world, cementing Hans Wegner as a household name.
