One of Denmark’s most respected architects, Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971), has become synonymous with modernism internationally.

Jacobsen viewed himself primarily as an architect. His functionalist buildings span from small holiday homes to large hospitality projects, with all details designed by Jacobsen himself, down to cutlery and door handles. One of his best-known projects is the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen – he was the architect, and designed all the interior elements.

While architecture was Jacobsen’s primary focus, he also worked with lighting, textiles, furniture and industrial design, approaching all projects with the same perfectionism that defined his career. Striving for a balance of organic simplicity and functionalism, he considered every detail, and was inspired by nature, whose organic shapes informed several of his furniture pieces. Jacobsen’s love of flowers and landscape gardening is also seen in his watercolors, wallpapers and fabrics.