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.
Vilhelm Lauritzen "Musician Chair" in Oak, Brass & Fabric, Copenhagen, 1942
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Odense, DK
Pair of rare Vilhelm Lauritzen "Musician Chair" in oak, brass and original dark green upholstery. Architect Vilhelm Lauritzen designed this chair in 1942 for the National Broadcastin...
Brass
$4,445 / item
H 31.5 in W 22.84 in D 20.48 in
Celeste Chair in Boucle Fabric and Brass and Mint Metal by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Celeste chair plays with contrasting shapes, materials and textures. The circles and squares join to make a chair that has both substance and lightness. ...
Metal
$6,000 / set
H 29.5 in W 24.5 in D 23 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs in the style Vilhelm Lauritzen, Denmark 1940s, Oak, Beige
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Lounge Chairs in the style Vilhelm Lauritzen, Denmark 1940s, Oak, new beige oatmeal fabric. The chairs were recently expertly recovered. Ready for a new home.
Fabric, Oak
$3,455 / item
H 26 in W 26 in D 23.5 in
Canva Chair, Occasional Chair in White Oak with Handwoven Danish Chord
By Carter Ellis
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Featuring exposed joinery and a mixture of hard and soft lines the Canva Chair explores a love for material and craftsmanship welded with warm welcome. Constructed with an exposed, bridle-joint frame and handwoven seat, the Canva Chair is artisan-crafted from recyclable paper cord, and sustainably harvested white oak.. The seat features a continuous run of Natural Danish paper chord handwoven around "L-shaped" nails in a traditional Binder-cane method of warped pairs. This chair is an exploration of form and craftsmanship and serves best as a statement and occasional piece in a hallway or living room or for a very large dining room table...
Papercord, Wood, Walnut
$6,025 / item
H 34.4 in W 27.2 in D 24 in
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oak Oil and Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oak Oil and Fabric for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitment...
Brass
$6,669 / item
H 23.63 in W 43.31 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Modern Chaplin Armchair in Fabric & Oak by Collector Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Contemporary Modern Chaplin Armchair in Fabric & Oak by Collector Studio From formal to casual, the light solid wood structure can support different contrasting leather and fabr...
Oak, Fabric
$7,025 / item
H 34.4 in W 27.2 in D 24 in
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oak Oil and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oak Oil and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitmen...
Brass
$1,553 / item
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 26.78 in
1960s Danish Hans J. Wegner Airport Chair Reupholstered in Black Fabric
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in Knebel, DK
Hans Wegner AP38 'Airport' chair by A.P. Stolen. Exceptional modern chair. of it´s time Designed in 1958, on tubular-steel frames. Seat have been reupholstered with black Kvadrat Ha...
Steel
$3,025 / item
H 29.53 in W 21.66 in D 22.05 in
Lever Dining Chair in Natural Oak with Stone Grey Fabric
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The hardness and symmetry of structure is the main concept of the Lever collection. The chair is composed of wood panels that encompass a soft, oversized cushion pads to create a har...
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
$990 / item
H 31.7 in W 22 in D 21 in
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Oak Chrome and Oil for Carl Hansen & Son
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA26 Vega' Chair in Oak Chrome and Oil for Carl Hansen & Son. The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm comm...
Chrome
$6,520 / item
H 34.4 in W 27.2 in D 24 in
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Mahogany and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
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 commitme...
Brass
Danish Side Chair in Oak and Cognac Leather, 1940s
Located in Lejre, DK
Rare side chair designed and made by Danish cabinetmaker, great condition.
Leather, Oak
$6,775 / item
H 34.4 in W 27.2 in D 24 in
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oak Soap and Leather for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Glendale, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VLA61' Chair in Oak Soap 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
Rare Chair by Vilhelm Lauritzen for Radiohuset, Denmark, 1940s
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Vilhelm Lauritzen - Fritz Hansen - Radiohuset - Scandinavian Modern A chair in bent beech designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen for Radiohuset, National Broadcasting House, in Copenhagen. T...
Beech