One of the most significant architects in Denmark’s history and a pioneer of Danish functionalism in Scandinavian, mid-century modern furniture, Vilhelm Lauritzen maintained a lifelong belief that design is an art for the people.
Born in the town of Slagelse in 1894, Lauritzen had an early interest in architecture and design. He graduated from the Sorø Akademi in 1912 and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1922. That year, Lauritzen founded the Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects studio.
Travel to Spain, Greece and throughout Central Europe influenced his architectural work. His first major project was in 1928, when he designed the Daell’s Department Store in Copenhagen. Subsequent notable design projects included the Nørrebro Theater in 1931, the Radiohuset building in 1936 and Copenhagen Airport’s first terminal in 1939, inspired by Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier.
Although architecture was among Lauritzen’s chief passions — he was also an avid lepidopterist — he was keenly interested in the furnishings of his projects, designing everything from chairs and settees to door handles and ashtrays. His influential creations include the iconic VL 38 “Radiohus” table and the VL 45 “Radiohus” pendant light — a powerful downward light that provides a gentle illumination through handblown, white opal glass. Both were designed for Danish furniture manufacturer Louis Poulsen in collaboration with Danish designer Finn Juhl. Vilhelm Lauritzen’s lamps and wall sconces, which have obliquely angled lamp heads, were likewise designed in partnership with Poulsen for the Radiohuset building in the 1930s.
Lauritzen remained active in his studio until 1969, overseeing numerous architecture projects in the 1950s, such as the Shellhuset building, Folkets Hus — known today as the VEGA concert hall — and the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC.
Lauritzen died in 1984. His legacy lives on with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects still operating in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, and his elegant lamps remain in production by Louis Poulsen.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Vilhelm Lauritzen lighting, seating, tables and more.
Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Lacquered Oak & Chrome for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Lacquered Oak & Chrome for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitmen...
Chrome
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oiled Oak and Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oiled Oak and Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitme...
Brass
'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Lacquered Oak Chrome & Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Glendale, CA
'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Lacquered Oak Chrome & Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitment t...
Chrome
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oiled Oak and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oiled Oak and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitm...
Brass
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Mahogany and Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Mahogany and Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son. The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm comm...
Brass
Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Black Steel, Oak & Leather for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Black Steel, Oak & Leather for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commi...
Steel
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Mahogany and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Mahogany and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm comm...
Brass
Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Black Oak with Black Frame for Carl Hansen & Son
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Glendale, CA
Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Black Oak with Black Frame for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm c...
Steel
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Soaped Oak and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Soaped Oak and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commit...
Brass
$6,400 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 7.45 in
Italian Chairs in Fabric and Chrome by Giovanni Carini for Planula
By Giovanni Carini, Planula
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stylish Italian Libellula chairs in fabric and chromed steel by Giovanni Carini for Planula 1970s. Good conditions.
Chrome
$691 / item
H 28.75 in W 21.66 in D 20.08 in
Wishbone Chair Model CH24 By Hans J. Wegner For Carl Hansen & Søn
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Lejre, DK
The Wishbone chairs, model CH24, designed by Hans J. Wegner and manufactured by Carl Hansen & Son, are exemplary pieces of Scandinavian Modern furniture. Crafted from black painted w...
Papercord, Wood
$19,533 / set
H 34.26 in W 17.72 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Very Rare Vilhelm Lauritzen Music Chair , Denmark
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Praha, CZ
- Oak wood, brass and fabric - Creation date: 1942 Music chair - Model designed for the National Broadcasting House - Copenhagen - good original condition - sturdy and stable - nee...
Brass
Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn 'Sawbuck' Dining Chair in Teak
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn, 'Sawbuck' dining chair, model CH29, teak, beige fabric, Denmark, design 1952 Hans Wegner's chair exemplifies a solid construction, despite its...
Fabric, Teak
$9,000 / set
H 30 in W 18.5 in D 18 in
Set of 8 Original Hans Wegner Oak CH23 Chairs by Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home the authentic mid-century modern Danish furniture that has become the envy of the design world with this exquisite set of original Hans Wegner CH-23 oak & rattan dining ch...
Wicker, Rattan, Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$4,600 / set
H 28.75 in W 22 in D 16 in
Set of 4 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son CH-33 Chairs in Teak
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Seattle, WA
Set of for Hans J. Wegner "CH33" from the early Carl Hansen & Sons production in the 1960s in teak, with plywood seating. in original condition, beautiful patina. All stamped un...
Teak
$875
H 30.9 in W 19.8 in D 19.8 in
2021 CH23 Dining Chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen in Oak & Walnut
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH23 Dining Chair designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark. The chair is made with a solid oiled oak frame, oiled walnut back, and natural paper...
Papercord, Oak, Walnut
$9,534 / set
H 29.14 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
Hans J. Wegner Set of Early Production Carl Hansen & Sons Wishbone Chairs, 1960s
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
A rare set of 6 model "CH-24" / "Wishbone" chairs from the early years of the Carl Hansen & Sons production of Hans J. Wegner iconic chair. The chairs have an amazing deep patina to ...
Papercord, Oak
$10,696 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 19.69 in
Set of 6 CH30 Chairs by Hans J. Wegner in Black Leather, Carl Hansen & Søn, 1952
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptional set of six CH30 dining chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1952 and produced by Carl Hansen & Søn, finely restored and reupholstered in luxurious black Sudden ful...
Leather, Foam, Oak, Teak
Hans Wegner Chair Model Ch37 By Carl Hansen & Søn
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Skokie, IL
Hans Wegner Chair Model Ch37 By Carl Hansen & Søn Additional information: Dimensions: 22.5" W x 19" D x 31" H Condition: Excellent
Rush, Teak
$5,801 / set
H 29.93 in W 21.66 in D 20.08 in
Hans J. Wegner CH24 Wishbone Chairs by Carl Hansen & Søn, Denmark, Set of 5
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Exceptional set of 5 original CH24 Wishbone Chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 and produced by Carl Hansen & Søn, Denmark. First introduced in 1950, the CH24—better known as ...
Papercord, Oak
$1,800 / item
H 31 in W 16 in D 20 in
Oak and Papercord Chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, 1962
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An oak side chair with papercord woven seat.
Oak, Papercord
Vilhelm Lauritzen Musician Chair Danish Modern
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Vilhelm Lauritzen chair from the 1950s. It is designed as a musician’s chair. Seat and backrest are adjustable as suitable to which instrument you woul...
Oak