The design world may always have its eye on what’s new and trendy, but a piece first envisioned decades ago can still offer a fresh perspective. This was particularly evident at Copenhagen’s recent 3 Days of Design festival, where several items designed in the 20th century had long-delayed debuts or were reintroduced for today’s design lovers to enjoy.
Fritz Hansen has brought out the PK23 chair by Danish designer Poul Kjaerholm, composed of two vertically divided shells of molded plywood joined by a metal connector, with a stainless-steel base. As Elle Decor reports, although conceived in 1954, the chair was never produced until now. In collaboration with Poul’s son Thomas Kjærholm, the design was changed slightly to suit contemporary processes without sacrificing its integrity.
Another Danish design, the ND52 sofa by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel, is also making a belated debut, care of Carl Hansen & Søn. Conceived in 1952 and also known as the Vita sofa, it has curved upholstered edges — making it a cozier alternative to the slim wood-framed Danish sofas of the period.
Meanwhile, the Moller 82 chairs, designed by Niels Otto Møller for J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik in 1970, has been brought back to life by Design Within Reach. With their woven seats and gracefully curved backs, the pieces share the timelessness of the best Scandinavian modernist design.
