Poul Kjærholm’s PK22™

Poul Kjærholm was a trained carpenter who continued his studies at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts. He had a particular interest in different construction materials; especially steel which he considered a natural material with the same artistic fineness as other natural materials.

Poul Kjærholm was employed at Fritz Hansen for about a year, where he designed a number of noteworthy chair prototypes.

In 1955 Poul Kjærholm initiated his collaboration with manufacturer Ejvind Kold Christensen, which lasted until Poul Kjærholm’s death in 1980. In 1982, Fritz Hansen took over the production and sales of “The Kjærholm Collection”, developed from 1951 to 1967.

My favourite of Kjærholm’s designs is the PK22™ low chair which, although extremely angular in design, an unusual shape for a chair, is very comfortable to sit in and works perfectly as an small easy chair in a living room or an office reception, which explains its popularity for over 50 years.

The discrete and elegant lounge chair PK22™ epitomizes the work of Poul Kjærholm 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 Kjærholm’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.

For more information you can check out the Republic of Fritz Hansen website.