THOMAS LYKKE — OEO STUDIO

The past and

present in unity

Denmark has come to signify good design and

architecture, and I have often asked myself how

such a small kingdom with less than six million

people has become such a powerful design

nation. I ask myself, what started this whole

movement that has made Danish design famous

worldwide — from architecture to furniture? What

triggered this wave?

I was fortunate enough to grow up in Denmark

surrounded by great design and architecture,

where I was taught the values of quality and detail

and was inspired to appreciate the sensibilities of

design. I was also lucky enough to have a

grandfather as a mentor and teacher to whom I

owe my passion for beauty, craft and design.

I believe one of the reasons for Denmark’s strength

as a design nation is our size. We are too small to

look inwards for inspiration and knowledge, which

led generations of creators and innovators to look

outwards for inspiration, adventure, new technology.

This, I believe, was the case with turn-of-the-century

Danish design and architecture and is still what

guides us today, combined with our own inherent

craftsmanship and respect for natural resources.

What has made the Danish design tradition so

strong and unique is this outward-bound curiosity

combined with our appreciation of simplicity,

clean-lined aesthetics where form meets function,

and our dedication to democratic thinking. A legacy

guided by purpose, with an eye to sustainability

and longevity. The vast catalogue of mid-century

Danish design that is as relevant today as it was

when originally incepted is mind-blowing.

In Denmark today, our contemporary drive within

design has been guided by true locally-rooted

creativity and originality as well as a strong sense

of purpose with an eye to the bigger world around

us. Being a creator myself and being deeply

influenced by my upbringing, this is something I

carry with me in my daily work. ‘Standing on the

shoulders of giants’, as the saying goes. I believe

this is very much the case with Danish design as a

whole — we are all standing on the shoulders of our

heroines and heroes.

Building on this enduring legacy, we also naturally

evolve with our changing times, new needs and new

technology. Past and present is perfectly merged to

offer a more holistic approach to today’s challenges.

Designmuseum

Denmark

OEO Studio’s sensitive

refurbishment honours

the original 1920s

remodelled Frederiks

Hospital by Danish

architects Ivar Bentsen

and Kaare Klint.

RS11/3

Bottom right, free-

standing hands-free

sanitiser gel dispenser,

in 15 Dark blue.

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