Poul Kjaerholm (1929-1980) designed modern functionalist furniture that was praised for its understated elegance and clean lines. He studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen where he would later teach, from 1952-56. He went on to become a lecturer and professor in the furniture and interior design department at the Academy of Art from 1957-76. Although he was formally trained as a cabinetmaker, Kjaerholm was a strong proponent for industrial production and his work stands out among that of his Danish contemporaries because of his extensive use of steel frames rather than the traditional wood. He did, however, design many of his seats in natural materials like cane, canvas, leather and rope. Kjaerholm’s designs for Fritz Hansen include the PK22 easy chairs, the PK61 coffee table and the PK80 daybed, all of which are stocked by Aram Store.

Fritz Hansen started his company October 24, 1872 in Copenhagen, specializing in the manufacture of small furniture parts. In 1915 the first Danish chair in steam bentwood was launched at a new factory in Allerød, north of Copenhagen. It was an immediate success. In the mid-20s Fritz Hansen started a serious and productive teamwork with leading furniture designers. This kind of teamwork has characterized Fritz Hansen ever since. The cooperation with architect Arne Jacobsen began in 1934. However, it was the laminated wooden chair, the Ant, from 1952 that became the biggest success in Danish furniture history. The cooperation with Jacobsen generated a number of laminated chairs but also other world acclaimed furniture such as the Egg and the Swan from 1958. Fritz Hansen has continued working with designers which has resulted in many epoch-making pieces of furniture in the 1960s and 70s. Since then Fritz Hansen has continually added new furniture to its collection.