Poul Kjaerholm

Danish 1929-1980

"I am trying to express the very language of the materials themselves." Poul Kjærholm
KJÆRHOLM: overview exhibition.

FINISHED

Designer of furniture and interiors. In 1949 Poul Kjærholm studied at the School of Arts and Crafts (Kunsthandvaerkerskolen) in Copenhagen. Despite his traditional training as a cabinet maker, Kjærholm designed furniture for industrial production by E. Kold Christensen, combining stainless or chromed steel frames with natural materials such as rattan, canvas, leather, timber and rope.
Like the Bauhaus designers with whom he is sometimes compared, Kjærholm was uncompromising in his insistence on structural clarity and technical quality. However, his personal concern for everyday use did much to popularize the austere functionalist style with which he is associated.

PK9 dining chair

Poul Kjaerholm 1956

Profile-spring steel, polyester shell with leather upholstery. Note that the rear leg differs from the front legs. The PK9 makes a very good combination with the PK54 diner table.

PK25 easy chair

Poul Kjaerholm 1951

Matte, chrome-plated spring steel and halyard. Height 75, depth 73, width 69 cm. Seat hight 40 cm. The chair was designed as a master thesis assignment at the furniture department of the School of Arts and Crafts, given by Hans J. Wegner. Unique about this chair is the single sheet of steel, that is cut and folded to form the supporting frame. In 1961 the chair was put into production.

Special black halyard 2006 edition.

Cut and folded from one sheet of steel.

PK58 dining table

Poul Kjaerholm 1963

The PK58 table is inspired by and based on Poul Kjærholm's table from 1963 PK54, but the PK58 has never been in production before.
The design differs in height and choice of materials: The table top is made of a polyester composite, and the base is aluminium. The surface feels "stone-like" yet soft. The material is sturdy, smooth and easy to maintain. The frame has been anodized to protect against scratches and to prevent the material from becoming grey and dull.
The diameter of PK58 is 130 cm, the top is 25 mm thick and the height is 70.5 cm.

The PK8 chair a perfect match to the PK58 table.

PK61A coffee table

Poul Kjaerholm 1956

Matte, chrome-plated steel, lint-rolled marble, slate or glass top. Height 32 cm. Top 120x120 cm.

PK62 side table

Poul Kjaerholm 1968

Originally designed as a side table to Poul Kjærholm's chaiselongue PK 24. The table measures 80 x 27 x 17 cm and has a satin brushed stainless steel frame. Tops available in flint-rolled marble, matte polished granite, arasbescato or slate.

Four table top materials.

PK31 easy chair, sofa

Poul Kjaerholm 1958

Matte, chrome-plated steel down-filled cushions with leather. Modular sitting element which on its own forms an armchair, and when joined together makes up a sofa for two, three or more persons.

PK91 folding stool

Poul Kjaerholm 1961

Matte, chrome-plated steel with leather or canvas seat. Length 60, width 45 cm. Seat height 37cm. Inspired by Ole Wanscher's research in the history of the folding chair as well as by Kaare Klint's wooden folding chair with propellershaped legs. Design connoisseurs will appreciate the ball bearing pivoting points.

PK91 folding stool with PK33 and PK80.

PK63A coffee table

Poul Kjaerholm 1968

Originally designed as a coffee table to Poul Kjærholm's sofa PK 31/2. The table measures 120 x 60 x 31 cm and has a satin brushed stainless steel frame. Tops available in flint-rolled marble, matte polished granite, arasbescato or slate.

Four table top materials.

PK24 chaise longue

Poul Kjaerholm 1965

Stainless steel, cane and leather. Height 87, length 155, width 67 cm. The seat/back part of the hammock chair may be shifted, so that the degree of inclination is changed.