Fritz Hansen Furnishes Office for President of the UN General Assembly
Danish furniture manufacturer Republic of Fritz Hansen has furnished an office for Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The office features a selection of iconic Fritz Hansen pieces designed by Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjaerholm.
Fritz Hansen replaced nondescript furnishings that had occupied the office since 1982. “The furniture from the Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjaerholm collection is from the same era as Oscar Niemeyer’s International Style building, which complements the office perfectly,” said Henrik Hjorth, Fritz Hansen’s vice president of North and South America. Niemeyer collaborated with Le Corbusier to design the UN headquarters site, which opened in 1952.
The redesigned office reflects the sleek minimalism that distinguishes Danish design. A secluded seating area for group gatherings contains four leather-upholstered Swan chairs in walnut by Jacobsen and two glass PK61 cocktail tables designed by Kjaerholm in 1956. A three-seat leather-upholstered PK31 bench lines a wall paneled with Australian lacewood.
At Lykketoft’s desk, the same Oxford chair that anchors Interior Design editor in chief Cindy Allen’s New York office joins two Series 7 guest chairs. Kaiser Idell floor and table lamps by Christian Dell illuminate the space, along with a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows. A terrace along the East River waterfront provides sweeping views of the Long Island City skyline.
Fritz Hansen’s gift commemorates Lykketoft as the first Dane to preside over the UN General Assembly. Although he will leave his position in mid-September after a one-year term, “it’s nice to know that a Danish mark will remain,” he said.
