Poul Kjaerholm (1929-80) is a Danish furniture and interior architecture legend made an impressive career in interior and exhibition architecture, and taught in his alma maters, such as the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, where he was a Professor in furniture and interior design. Poul Kjaerholm was heavily influenced by the furniture of Charles and Ray Eames, displayed in an exhibition of American furniture in Denmark in 1954. Yet Poul Kjaerholm based his competence in Danish quality furniture on his background in cabinet making, starting as an apprentice at the age of 15 and continuing his studies in the local technical college. Kj?rholm transferred the dastially Danish technical detailing to metal, the frame material he later favoured. Kj?rholm ingeniously and delicately combined various natural materials such as wood, leather, cord and rattan to his metal frames, which were often assembled on site. Poul Kjaerholm’s success in the Milan Triennials coincided with that of many Finnish designers. Poul Kjaerholm was awarded Grand Prix in 1957 for his PK22 chair, and a Grand Prix and gold medal for the design of the Danish pavilion in 1960. In 1958 Poul Kjaerholm received the Lunning award, sometimes referred to as the Nobel Prize in design. One of the most famous Poul Kjaerholm interiors is the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC, dating from 1967 and donated to the United States by the Danish State.

Designer Poul Kjaerholm
Year 1956
The discrete and elegant lounge chair PK22 epitomizes the work of Poul Kjaerholm and his search for the ideal type-form and industrial dimension, which was always present in his work. The profile of the steel frame structure originates from his graduation project, the “Element” Chair (PK25), from the School of Applied Arts in Copenhagen. On the PK22, the structure was divided into separate elements due to design improvements and for economical production.

The PK22 was an immediate commercial and critical success. In 1957, the chair was awarded the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale, the world’s premier design fair. The prize catapulted Kjaerholm’s career and immediately he became a name on the international scene and has enjoyed this position ever since. The PK22 is available in wicker, suede or leather with a base in satin-brushed stainless steel.