Vilhelm Lauritzen Danish Furniture & Lighting

Vilhelm Lauritzen

Vilhelm Lauritzen (1894–1984) is a celebrated Danish architect who played a key role in the development of Danish Modernism. He was a pioneering advocate of functionalism and his buildings, such as the Nørrebro Theatre, Daells Varehus department store, Radiohuset, and the first Kastrup Airport, embodied the spirit of contemporary life. Other notable designs include Folkets Hus (now known as Vega, a concert venue), the Shellhuset building, and the Danish embassy in Washington. Today, both Radiohuset and the original Kastrup Airport are listed as unparalleled modernist landmarks.

Lauritzen believed strongly in the importance of aesthetics in architecture, viewing it as a form of applied art. His projects, often 'gesamtkunstwerk', were meticulously designed down to the smallest details such as door handles, ashtrays, railings, lamps, sofas, and chairs.

The designs of Vilhelm Lauritzen are characterized by a clear, enduring concept that prioritizes longevity for spaces and shapes. To truly grasp the innovative nature of his architecture and design, it must be examined in comparison with the work of his peers. While architecture often emphasizes the aesthetic of buildings, Lauritzen instead prioritized utility. Through his innovative and practical approach, he developed remarkably efficient and straightforward solutions that may initially appear unremarkable, but in reality, showcase his brilliance.

Lauritzen was skilled in both natural and artificial lighting, often incorporating natural light into his architectural designs through extensive south and west-facing windows. This allowed for a blend of warm sunlight with cooler light coming from norther and eastern facing windows. His light fixtures are designed with the same concept, combining directed and soft, diffused light to add warmth and dimension to any room.

Vilhelm Lauritzen's legacy began with the creation of the Universal pendant in 1926-29 for Fritzsches Glashandel. This was the first of many functionalist designs as Lauritzen dedicated his career to further improving his light fixtures. Danish lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen's product line introduced Lauritzen's fixtures from Radiohuset in the 1940s and expanded in the 1950s, coinciding with Lauritzen's major construction projects. In addition to his celebrated lighting, Lauritzen also has an array of furnishings still in production through Carl Hansen & Son including his wood framed Radiohouse Mirror and VLA26T Vega Chair.

In 1941, Vilhelm Lauritzen received the Knight of the 1st Degree of Dannebrog and the Eckersberg Medal. He was also awarded the C.F. Hansen medal in 1954 and the Academic Architects’ Association Medal of Honour in 1964. While he passed away in 1984 at the age of 90 in Denmark, his legacy of architecture, lighitng, and furniture design lives on.

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