When Eva and Nils Koppel met, she was studying mathematics, and he was studying engineering. Together they studied architecture and worked in Alvar Aalto’s office. Their furniture pieces - such as this lovely “Model 781” easy chair - with their organic shapes, wooden structure, and brightly coloured upholstery, is very representative of Scandinavian design.

The couple’s style gradually moved away from the ‘Aaltian’ Organicism and approached a more sober and refined International Style that followed in the footsteps of Mies van der Rohe and Arne Jacobsen. This easy chair is more in the vein of this refined style with a clear preoccupation with modernism and architectural precision. This comes as no surprise as the couple ran one of Denmark’s most prominent architectural firms and designed a number of iconic buildings. The streamlined modernism of mid-century Denmark formed the lines of this chair, which is evident in the tight edges and subtle curves. The back flows into the armrests that roll outwards, resulting in an open, inviting look. The fully upholstered body rests on stained beech legs that are in a classic, tapered shape. The chair is slightly raised towards the front for ultimate sitting comfort.

The Danish design idiom was centred on warm woods, quality fabrics and gentle yet robust support for the spine - qualities that engender contentment and well-being, a defining characteristic of Danish culture. The Koppels’ exceptional architectural talent is evident even in this model 781 easy chair, which is outstanding not only in the couple’s repertoire, but also among mid-century Danish easy chairs.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in a premium velour fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

31.1 in W x 28.34 in D x 31.1 in H; Seat Height 16.53 in

79 cm W x 72 cm D x 79 cm H; Seat height 42 cm

Literature:

Bygge & Bo. Nr. 3, 1953, p. 43.

About the designer:

Eva Koppel, born Eva Ditlevsen (1916-2006) and Nils Adolf Koppel (1914-2009) were a Danish functionalist architect couple who characterized the post-war era and the public building of the welfare society.

Nils and Eva Koppel met during their shared lectures at the Danish Polytechnic Teaching Institute in 1935, where Eva studied mathematics and Nils studied engineering. The same year, they applied to the Academy of the Arts' School of Architecture, where they were both admitted. The year after, in 1936, they got married.

During their studies between 1938 and 1939, they worked together in Finland at Alvar Aalto's design studio. In 1940, they had their first child and the following year they both graduated from the School of Architecture. Since Nils Koppel's father was Jewish, in 1943 they had to flee because of the Jewish persecution. They fled to Finland and resumed working at Aalto's design studio. In the years following the war, the couple designed a number of single-family homes, and set up a home of their own in 1946. Initially, they erected houses for family and friends, designed wallpaper, chairs, watches, light fixtures, and other art-industrial objects.

In 1954, their joint studio won the architectural competition for the Langelinie Pavilion, which was erected in 1958 and has been preserved. The pavilion's rigorous shape, slim profiles and its design as a 'floating' box are indebted to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's school and the international style. The couple got their first big task in 1954 via family relations: The settlement Søllerød Park. Their house design managed to preserve the scenic parkland, and is now one of the great architectural classics for this time period.

The Koppel couple has received numerous awards and honours, including: The Wood Prize 1960, the Natural Stone Prize 1966 and the Eckersberg Medal 1955. Nils Koppel was also awarded the Knud V. Engelhardt Scholarship in 1951. ~H.