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Arne Jacobsen Quotes

Powerful Arne Jacobsen for Daily Growth

About Arne Jacobsen

Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) was a renowned Danish architect, industrial designer, and artist, best known for his significant contributions to modern Danish design. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark on February 11, 1902, Jacobsen exhibited an early interest in art and design, eventually studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1924 to 1927. Jacobsen's work was deeply influenced by his Scandinavian heritage, functionalism, and a commitment to creating comfortable, harmonious spaces that catered to the needs of modern life. In the 1930s, he established Arne Jacobsen & Karl E. Petersen Architects, which later became Arne Jacobsen and Associates. One of his earliest significant works was the Bellavista housing estate (1934), where he experimented with the concept of 'total design,' incorporating both architecture and furniture design. This idea would become a hallmark of his future projects. His designs for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen (1960) represent the epitome of this approach, as he was responsible for every detail from the architecture to the silverware. Some of Jacobsen's most iconic designs include the Egg and Swan chairs, the Ant and Series 7 chair, and the AJ lamps. His innovative use of materials such as stainless steel, plastic, and new types of textiles revolutionized Danish design and established a timeless aesthetic that remains relevant today. In recognition of his contributions to architecture and design, Jacobsen was awarded numerous prizes, including the Grand Prix de l'Architecture in 1957. Arne Jacobsen's enduring influence can still be seen in contemporary design, making him a key figure in Danish Modernism. He passed away on March 24, 1971, leaving behind an indelible legacy that continues to inspire designers and architecture enthusiasts worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The details make the product."

Arne Jacobsen's quote, "The details make the product," highlights the importance of focusing on the minute aspects when creating a design or product. It suggests that the small details, which may seem insignificant at first glance, can greatly impact the overall quality, usability, and aesthetic appeal of the final product. In essence, he's encouraging designers to pay close attention to every detail, as it is these fine points that ultimately contribute to the success and longevity of their work. By focusing on the minutiae, designers can ensure a high-quality end result that resonates with users, stands the test of time, and leaves a lasting impact.

"Simplicity is a mental quality that makes it possible for complex things to be apprehended easily and used with confidence and pleasure."

This quote emphasizes the importance of simplicity in design, suggesting that when complex ideas or objects are made simple, they become more accessible and enjoyable for users. The "mental quality" refers to the designer's ability to distill essential elements from a complex situation or idea, making it easier for others to understand and interact with. This approach fosters confidence in the user as they can readily comprehend and appreciate the design, thus enhancing their overall experience.

"Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into spaces and form-the poetry, so to speak, of reality."

Arne Jacobsen's quote underscores the notion that architecture is not just a practical discipline for constructing buildings, but also a creative expression of the values, ideas, and aspirations of a specific era or society. He describes architecture as the "poetry of reality," emphasizing its ability to infuse function with aesthetics, creating spaces that resonate with the emotional and intellectual pulse of their time. Architecture, in this view, acts as a vehicle for cultural expression, reflecting the will and spirit of an epoch, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping our collective human experience.

"I'm not interested in style at all; I'm only interested in good architecture."

This quote indicates that Arne Jacobsen, a renowned Danish architect and designer, valued functionality, quality, and purpose over aesthetics or fashion trends. He believed that true architecture should prioritize the utility, sustainability, and user experience of a space, rather than being defined by a specific style. In essence, he emphasized the importance of creating good design solutions, irrespective of the prevailing stylistic trends.

"Form follows function - but follows it closely."

Arne Jacobsen's quote "Form follows function - but follows it closely" emphasizes a design principle where the shape or aesthetic aspect (form) of an object should be based upon its intended function, while not deviating excessively from that purpose. In other words, functionality should serve as the primary driver of design, ensuring that the end product remains practical and useful, while maintaining a well-thought-out visual appeal. This approach ensures a harmonious blend of utility and beauty in design.

Proportions are what makes the old Greek temples classic in their beauty. They are like huge blocks, from which the air has been literally hewn out between the columns.

- Arne Jacobsen

Architecture, Greek, Which, Columns

And when an architect has designed a house with large windows, which is a necessity today in order to pull the daylight into these very deep houses, then curtains come to play a big role in architecture.

- Arne Jacobsen

Play, Very, Which, Curtains

Besides, I think that when one has been through a boarding school, especially then, you have some resistance, because it was both fine comradeship and a fairly hard training.

- Arne Jacobsen

Think, Through, Some, Boarding School

When I travel, I draw and paint sketches which is great fun. And as long as you are fully aware that it has nothing to do with actual art, I think that's all right.

- Arne Jacobsen

Think, Which, Actual, Great Fun

Furniture manufacturing in plastics requires very costly machinery, which the Danish market is not big enough to justify. Or so they say. But show me a plastics manufacturer who dares to take on the experiment.

- Arne Jacobsen

Big, Very, Which, Manufacturing

Carrying out the thing, getting it to the point when one might say: There, now it is good - that point is hard to reach. Often, one sets very high goals for oneself. Perhaps too high.

- Arne Jacobsen

Might, Very, Sets, Goals

On the other hand, I don't understand the enthusiasm for everything in the antique shop that Grandma threw out. There, the sense of quality has declined; otherwise Grandma wouldn't have thrown it out.

- Arne Jacobsen

Other, Otherwise, Shop, Declined

But inspiration? - That's when you come home from abroad and are asked: Well, have you found inspiration? - and fortunately you haven't. But the impressions sink in, of course, and may emerge later: None of us has invented the house; that was done many thousands of years ago.

- Arne Jacobsen

House, Inspiration, None, Thousands Of Years

The primary factor is proportions.

- Arne Jacobsen

Design, Primary, Proportions, Factor

Now, the downside to conservation is that so much is done for the public, which almost always mars the environment that one wanted to conserve.

- Arne Jacobsen

Always, Downside, Which, Conserve

Architecture tends to consume everything else, it has become one's entire life.

- Arne Jacobsen

Architecture, Consume, Else, Everything Else

You will soon find that I am a bit obsessive about my work. And that is a little sad, one often feels strangely restricted, not finding time to simmer, although one actually has many interests.

- Arne Jacobsen

Feels, About, Bit, Restricted

People buy a chair, and they don't really care who designed it.

- Arne Jacobsen

People, Chair, Buy, Designed

In addressing a task, one almost always has several possible options, sometimes only a few, and they may all be practical and functional. But they lack the aesthetic aspect that raises it to architecture.

- Arne Jacobsen

Aesthetic, Always, Raises

That business of relaxation, which is so terribly modern today, is all good and well, but my work interests me so much, and is so varied, that many times it seems relaxing when I go from one aspect to another.

- Arne Jacobsen

Good, Another, Terribly, One Aspect

I do not feel certain until I have confronted my initial solution with other solutions - although in fact the first solution often proves to be the right one.

- Arne Jacobsen

Fact, Other, Initial, Confronted

I am going to be working on bathroom fittings for a company in the USA, and then I thought it was appropriate to simplify the fittings and, thus, lowering the cost.

- Arne Jacobsen

Cost, Appropriate, USA, Bathroom

In a way, the sense of quality has improved, the status symbol of the small things is gone, and it is acceptable to use stainless steel, even if the neighbour uses silver.

- Arne Jacobsen

Small, Symbol, Acceptable, Status

I have no philosophy, my favourite thing is sitting in the studio.

- Arne Jacobsen

Studio, Favourite, Thing, Philosophy

There is always a point when one senses one's lack of skill, the doubt.

- Arne Jacobsen

Doubt, Always, Senses, Skill

With a painter or a sculptor, one cannot begin to alter his works, but an architect has to put up with anything, because he makes utility objects - the building is there to be used, and times change.

- Arne Jacobsen

Objects, Works, Architect, Begin

If architecture had nothing to do with art, it would be astonishingly easy to build houses, but the architect's task - his most difficult task - is always that of selecting.

- Arne Jacobsen

Art, Nothing, Always, Easy

I don't see that any buildings should be excluded from the term architecture, as long as they are done properly.

- Arne Jacobsen

Long, Done, Any, Excluded

Almost every time I make a building, some people will condemn it straight to Hell.

- Arne Jacobsen

Will, Some, Almost, Condemn

That is the artistic task: To choose the best from these solutions.

- Arne Jacobsen

Choose, Solutions, Task, Artistic

If a building becomes architecture, then it is art.

- Arne Jacobsen

Art, Then, Becomes, Building

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