The First Design Hotel : SAS Royal Hotel by Arne Jacobsen
Arne Jacobsen's SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark is one of the architectural treasures of the world and a statement of design from an insightful, talented designer. From the architecture to the space age cutlery, every detail was attended to by the hand of the architect / designer to create an immersive experience in what we would now call a 'design hotel'.
Furniture and objects which were designed for the interior were later put into mass production and now feature in museum collections around the world. Some of his most memorable furniture works included the Swan and Egg Chair, featuring bold organic shapes and utilising new technology to create the unique shape.
Jacobsen had been involved in landscape design and saw the space as an indoor garden. The green colour also connects it to the building Jacobsen was inspired by, Lever Hourse (1952) designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
Iconic furniture designs by Arne Jacobsen, prouduced by Fritz Hansen, were originally used for the SAS Royal Hotel. These included the Egg, Drop and Swan Chair (1958), the Series 3300 Chair and Sofa were introduced earlier in 1956 but made famous when they were included in the hotel interior. Photo / Arne Jacobsen.com
The SAS Royal Hotel (1960) by Arne Jacobsen is now named Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen. Photo / Mario Ferrara
As with a number of other buildings designed in the new, international modernist style, the SAS Building was met with a chilly reception by the Danish public. The low lying skyline of Copenhagen is comprised mostly of older, mostly brick buildings and this would be its first skyscaraper which concerned the locals who thought it looked ugly and like a punch card. Even Jacobsen's former colleague Erik Moller shared his opinion that it was a 'glass cigar box' and others saw it as a poor cousin of Lever House (1952).
The spectacular spiral staircase at the SAS Royal Hotel by Arne Jacobsen. Contrasting with the strict, linear form of the building's structure, the spiral staircase is a moment of freedom. Here Jacobsen introduces the organic element of the design which continued through the furniture and other objects.
Drop Chairs (1958) produced by Fritz Hansen and AJ Royal Lamps (1957), produced by Louis Poulsen. Photo / Fritz Hansen
AJ Cutlery designed in 1957 by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel, produced by Georg Jensen. Photo / Georg Jensen
Arne Jacobsen designed the famous 'Swan' armchair for the panoramic restaurant inside the SAS Royal Copenhagen hotel in 1958. With barely a straight line in sight, this design was at the cutting edge of Scandinavian modernism and fast became a coveted design object worldwide.
In both form and comfort, this organic yet minimalist design reflects the elegance and grace of the eponymous white swan. The 'wing' arms and back of the armchair curve graciously to accommodate the body providing comfort as well as premium style.
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Swan Chairs by Arne Jacobsen, designed for the SAS Royal Hotel. As we publish this page we have four available.
Styling ideas from our Good Form collection to pair with these striking armchairs in a beautiful, rich terracotta leather.
Featuring –
CC Tapis Dagalla Formation 2 Rug
Masquerade Mirror
Milieu Mini Mini Pendant in Tomato Cream
Alvar Aalto Oak Serving Tray
Stoff Nagel Candle Holders in Rose Gold
The Giraffe Chairs (1959) designed for the SAS Royal Hotel by Arne Jacobsen, used in the first floor restaurant and upholstered in green to tie in with the rest of the interior design. Photo / Aage Strewing
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