The Egg Chair, an absolute icon of vintage design

Anyone who loves Scandinavian design will be familiar with Arne Jacobsen's Egg chair. What is less well known is that this cult piece of vintage design was conceived by the Danish architect to furnish the reception areas of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Arne Jacobsen's aim was to counterbalance the modern architecture of the rigorous lines of the glass façade of the Danish capital's first skyscraper, with furniture of a warm and comfortable design. This article looks at the history of the Egg chair and the features that have made it a global icon of vintage design. Anyone who loves Scandinavian design will be familiar with Arne Jacobsen's Egg chair. What is less well known is that this cult piece of vintage design was conceived by the Danish architect to furnish the reception areas of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Arne Jacobsen's aim was to counterbalance the modern architecture of the rigorous lines of the glass façade of the Danish capital's first skyscraper, with furniture of a warm and comfortable design. This article looks at the history of the Egg chair and the features that have made it a global icon of vintage design. The SAS Royal Hotel designed by Arne Jacobsen at the time of its completion in 1960. Photo Aage Strüwing © Jørgen Strüwing. The SAS Royal Hotel designed by Arne Jacobsen at the time of its completion in 1960. Photo Aage Strüwing © Jørgen Strüwing. Arne Jacobsen in front of the SAS Royal Hotel in 1960. The Danish architect was commissioned by SAS Airlines to build the capital's first skyscraper. Radisson Collection Arne Jacobsen in front of the SAS Royal Hotel in 1960. The Danish architect was commissioned by SAS Airlines to build the capital's first skyscraper. Radisson Collection Current view of the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, architect: Arne Jacobsen. Architecture in the aesthetic canons of the post-war international style. Current view of the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, architect: Arne Jacobsen. Architecture in the aesthetic canons of the post-war international style. Let's start with a bit of history. In 1956, Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) was already a renowned designer following the worldwide success of the Ant chair, one of the best-selling pieces of Danish furniture in the world since 1955. 1 year later, SAS, the Danish national airline (Scandinavian Airlines System) commissioned the architect to design the capital's first skyscraper, a building and a design that it wanted to be modern. Construction took 4 years, and the building was inaugurated in 1960. Let's start with a bit of history. In 1956, Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) was already a renowned designer following the worldwide success of the Ant chair, one of the best-selling pieces of Danish furniture in the world since 1955. 1 year later, SAS, the Danish national airline (Scandinavian Airlines System) commissioned the architect to design the capital's 1st skyscraper, a building and a design that it wanted to be modern. Construction lasted 4 years and the building was inaugurated in 1960. Ant chairs, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1952. Light, stable, stackable and even comfortable, the Ant chair quickly became an icon of Danish design. In 1955, Jacobsen developed the Series 7 range, which became a worldwide bestseller. Ant chairs, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1952. Light, stable, stackable and even comfortable, the Ant chair quickly became an icon of Danish design. In 1955, Jacobsen developed the Series 7 range, which became a worldwide bestseller. The complete project includes a travel agency, a terminal (a shuttle bus links the hotel to the airport) and a hotel. Arne Jacobsen was commissioned to take complete control of the project, from the architectural design to the smallest detail of the interior furnishings. The architect created a building that would go down in the history of Danish urban planning. The façade of the hotel, in particular, is the 1st curtain wall built in the country - a glass envelope with a reinforced concrete skeleton. For the interior, the architect designed innovative seating, including the famous Egg chair, the Swan armchairs, which evoke a graceful bird, the Drop chair, the chaise longue and the 3300 sofa, as well as AJ lighting. The entire project includes a travel agency, a terminal (a shuttle bus links the hotel to the airport) and a hotel. Arne Jacobsen was commissioned to take complete control of the project, from the architectural design to the smallest detail of the interior furnishings. The architect created a building that would go down in the history of Danish urban planning. The façade of the hotel, in particular, is the 1st curtain wall built in the country - a glass envelope with a reinforced concrete skeleton. For the interior, the architect designed innovative seating, including the famous Egg chair, but also the Swan armchairs, which evoke a graceful bird, the Drop chair, the chaise longue and the 3300 sofa, as well as the AJ lighting. Egg chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1958. The model is launched under the name Egg No." 3315", then becomes "3317" and finally remains "3316" since 1973. Egg chair, design by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1958. The model was launched as Egg No." 3315", then becomes "3317" and finally remains "3316" since 1973. Swan armchair, design Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1958. An exceptional look. As with the Egg chair, the chair's curved, organic lines contrast with the hotel's right angles and minimalist architecture, which is precisely what Arne Jacobsen was aiming for. Swan armchair, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1958. An exceptional look. As with the Egg chair, the chair's curved, organic lines contrast with the hotel's right angles and minimalist architecture, which is precisely what Arne Jacobsen was aiming for. Drop chairs, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1959. The seat is made of a shell that allows great freedom of movement, for optimum comfort. Drop chairs, design by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1959. The seat is made of a shell that allows great freedom of movement, for optimum comfort. Terminal waiting lounge furnished with armchairs from the 3300 range, design by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1956. From 1959, airline passengers could check in and wait for their flight in elegant, modern surroundings until the SAS shuttle arrived to take them directly to their plane. Photo: Arne Jacobsen. Terminal waiting lounge furnished with armchairs from the 3300 range, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1956. From 1959, airline passengers could check in and wait for their flight in elegant, modern surroundings until the SAS shuttle arrived to take them directly to their plane. Photo: Arne Jacobsen. AJ table lamp, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen, 1957. Designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1957, this lamp combines oblique and right angles, reminiscent of the armchairs in the 3300 range. AJ table lamp, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen, 1957. Designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1957, this lamp combines oblique and right angles, reminiscent of the armchairs in the 3300 range. What makes the Egg chair a vintage design icon? First of all, there's the context, which we've just described, and which keeps the legend surrounding this legendary chair alive. At the time, the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen was the symbol of post-war modernism. For some, it was considered the world's first design hotel, even a total work of art, in that everything, from the carpets to the volume of the building, was conceived and designed by a single man. What makes the Egg chair a vintage design icon? First of all, there's the context, which we've just described and which keeps the legend surrounding this legendary chair alive. At the time, the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen was the symbol of post-war modernism. For some, it was considered the world's first design hotel, even a total work of art, since everything, from the carpets to the volume of the building, was conceived and designed by a single man. In the foreground, another seat designed by Arne Jacobsen to furnish the lounges of the SAS Royal Hotel: the Pot chair. In the foreground, another seat designed by Arne Jacobsen to furnish the lounges of the SAS Royal Hotel: the Pot seat. To keep the legend alive, one of the hotel's suites, 606, is still in the same condition as when it was created in 1960, and still contains the original furniture designed by Arne Jacobsen, including several seats. Secondly, because the end of the 50s was the golden age of Danish design. It was the triumph of minimal, elegant, functional and comfortable design, embodied with talent by Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, Borge Mogensen and Finn Juhl, followed a few years later by Verner Panton. In fact, to keep the legend alive, one of the hotel's suites, 606, is still in the same condition as when it was created in 1960, and retains the original furniture designed by Arne Jacobsen, including several seats. Secondly, because the end of the 50s was the golden age of Danish design. It was the triumph of minimal, elegant, functional and comfortable design, embodied with talent by Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, Borge Mogensen and Finn Juhl, followed a few years later by Verner Panton. The famous suite 606 of the SAS Royal Hotel, left untouched for 6 decades. In the foreground, Egg armchair and Swan armchair. In the background, chairs and sofa from the 3300 range, Drop chairs. The famous suite 606 of the SAS Royal Hotel, left untouched for 6 decades. In the foreground, Egg armchair and Cygne armchair. In the background, chairs and sofa from the 3300 range, Drop chairs. Finally, because it is representative of an intrinsically Danish concept, "Hygge", which could be translated as "cosy". As a people of northern Europe, the Danes need to spend long winter evenings in a cosy atmosphere. The Egg chair evokes just such a cocoon in which to curl up. Finally, because it is representative of an intrinsically Danish concept, "Hygge", which could be translated as "cosy". As a people of northern Europe, the Danes need to spend long winter evenings in a cosy atmosphere. The Egg chair evokes just such a cocoon in which to curl up. The Egg chair is also an icon, thanks to its delightful curves that invite the user to relax. The design remains pure, except that it incorporates an organic dimension that makes it a distinctive object with an instantly recognisable look. Arne Jacobsen wanted to create a friendly, relaxing environment for the lounges in the SAS Royal Hotel that would contrast with the building's minimalist, rectilinear architecture. For its time, the design was also daring, as the designer succeeded in merging the backrest, seat and armrests into a single piece, a foam-covered injected polystyrene shell over which fabric or leather was stretched. The result is brilliant, a real ergonomic cocoon with bewitching lines... The Egg chair is also an icon thanks to its delicious curves that invite the user to relax. The design remains pure, except that it incorporates an organic dimension that makes it a distinctive object with an instantly recognisable look. Arne Jacobsen wanted to create a friendly, relaxing environment for the lounges in the SAS Royal Hotel that would contrast with the building's minimalist, rectilinear architecture. The design was also daring for its time, as the designer succeeded in merging the backrest, seat and armrests into a single piece, a foam-covered injected polystyrene shell over which fabric or leather was stretched. The result is brilliant, a veritable ergonomic cocoon with bewitching lines... The Egg chairs in the lobby of the SAS Royal Hotel, 1960. Photo: Aage Strüwing © Jørgen Strüwing. Egg chairs in the lobby of the SAS Royal Hotel, 1960. Photo: Aage Strüwing © Jørgen Strüwing. Room in the SAS Royal Hotel around its opening in 1960. In the foreground, the inviting Egg chair. Behind, facing the desk, a Drop chair. Photo: Arne Jacobsen. Room at the SAS Royal Hotel around the opening in 1960. In the foreground, the welcoming Egg chair. Behind, facing the desk, a Drop chair. Photo: Arne Jacobsen. The worldwide success of the Egg chair is also due to the fruitful collaboration between the Danish publisher Fritz Hansen and Arne Jacobsen. It is one of the most important and famous partnerships in the history of Danish design. When the Egg chair was designed, this partnership was at its zenith. In the mid-1950s, Fritz Hansen acquired the licence for a production technology that allowed furniture to be shaped freely from hard foam. Arne Jacobsen used this method to create the organic furniture for the SAS Royal Hotel. The worldwide success of the Egg chair is also due to the fruitful collaboration between the Danish publisher Fritz Hansen and Arne Jacobsen. It is one of the most important and famous partnerships in the history of Danish design. When the Egg chair was designed, this partnership was at its zenith. In the mid-1950s, Fritz Hansen acquired the licence for a production technology that allowed furniture to be shaped freely from hard foam. Arne Jacobsen used this method to create the organic furniture for the SAS Royal Hotel. In the workshops manufacturing the Egg chair, Fritz Hansen. The handcrafted production of the famous chair has remained unchanged since its creation in 1958. In the workshops where the Egg chair is made, Fritz Hansen. The craftsmanship of the famous chair has remained unchanged since its creation in 1958. The Egg chair with its Ottoman seat fits perfectly into a contemporary setting. The Egg chair with its Ottoman seat fits perfectly into a contemporary setting. Hailed by critics and professionals alike when it made its 1st appearance at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1958, the Egg chair won over the general public thanks in part to its rounded egg shape, which creates a space of intimacy for the person sitting on it. This "protective bubble" has inspired other major creations in the history of design. Finnish designer Eero Aarnio's Ball chair, designed in 1963, springs to mind... A symbol of modernity and sophistication when it came out in 1958, the Egg chair continues to fascinate lovers of elegant, sensitive and comfortable design. Hailed by critics and professionals alike when it made its 1st appearance at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1958, the Egg chair won over the general public thanks in part to its rounded egg shape, which allows it to create a space of intimacy for the person sitting on it. This "protective bubble" has inspired other major creations in the history of design. Finnish designer Eero Aarnio's Ball chair, designed in 1963, springs to mind. A symbol of modernity and sophistication when it came out in 1958, the Egg chair continues to fascinate lovers of elegant, sensitive and comfortable design. Ball chair, designed by Eero Aarnio, 1963. Not to be confused with the Bubble chair, a suspended armchair. Ball chair, designed by Eero Aarnio, 1963. Not to be confused with the Bubble chair, suspended armchair. François BOUTARD François BOUTARD

The Egg Chair, an absolute icon of vintage design

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