Story
The Rud. Rasmussen workshop is one of the most iconic institutions in the history of Danish design. Founded in 1869, it operated for over 140 years and built a unique workshop culture by fusing traditional hand-craftsmanship with modern production techniques. Founder Rudolph Rasmussen, in the midst of the late 19th-century Industrial Revolution, embraced mechanisation while steadfastly retaining craftsmanship at the core of his philosophy. This balance of efficiency and quality, of industrialisation and artistry, became the very foundation for what later came to be known as Danish Modern.
Entering the 20th century, Rud. Rasmussen supplied high-quality furniture to public institutions and educational facilities, securing its unshakable reputation within Denmark. That reputation became decisive in the 1920s onward through collaborations with major designers. The partnership with Kaare Klint is especially celebrated: masterpieces such as the Faaborg Chair and the Safari Chair could not have been realised without the craftsmanship of Rud. Rasmussen. Klint’s philosophy of “re-design” — the approach of reconstructing traditional furniture typologies from the perspectives of ergonomics and functionality — was concretely embodied in this workshop.
Furthermore, the bookcase system by Mogens Koch symbolises the workshop’s innovative spirit. The idea of combining square modules freely is a reinterpretation of furniture not as fixed objects but as flexible tools for living — a concept still highly regarded worldwide today. Rud. Rasmussen also spared no compromise in its choice of materials. In particular, in the first half of the 20th century it made generous use of Cuban mahogany — now almost unobtainable — to produce furniture that possessed peerless weight and beauty. This was not mere luxury but a manifestation of the philosophy to elevate design into cultural heritage by combining the highest quality materials with craftsmanship.
In 2011, the workshop’s business operations were transferred to Carl Hansen & Søn, and in 2016 the physical production site closed. Yet its legacy remains alive. Today the Faaborg Chair and Safari Chair continue to be produced under Carl Hansen & Søn; Mogens Koch’s bookcase system is still manufactured by Fredericia Furniture. The name “Rud. Rasmussen” has transcended that of a single workshop to become an emblem of the very foundation of Danish design itself.
About
Year: 1869 – 2016
President: Rudolph Rasmussen – Rudolph Rasmussen Jr. / Victor Rasmussen – Aage Rasmussen / Erik Rasmussen – Jørgen Rasmussen / Helge Kurt Hansen
Designers: Kaare Klint, Mogens Koch, Børge Mogensen, Hans J. Wegner, Arne Jacobsen
Place: Copenhagen
History
1869
Rudolph Rasmussen established “Rud. Rasmussen’s Factory for Oak Furniture” on Store Kongensgade.
1875
Together with his brother-in-law Jens Christian Grøule, he built a four-storey workshop at Nørrebrogade 45.
1904
The founder Rudolph Rasmussen passed away. His sons Rudolph and Victor took over. Manufacturing numbers were assigned to furniture, and labels bearing those numbers began to be affixed to backs or bottoms of pieces.
1911
The building at Nørrebrogade 45 was rebuilt. Aage Rasmussen, son of the second Rudolph Rasmussen, was born.
Mid-1920s
Rudolph met Kaare Klint.
1930
The company name was changed to “Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier.”
Early 1930s
Aage studied under Professor Ole Wanscher at the Furniture Department of the School of Arts & Crafts.
1933
The Safari Chair was introduced. This first knock-down chair packed in a convenient transport-friendly package opened a new page in Danish furniture exports.
1935
Aage began working in the family workshop.
1940
Jørgen, son of Aage, was born. Together with Arne Jacobsen and Flemming Lassen he contributed to the design of the Søllerød Town Hall interiors.
1944
The second Rudolph Rasmussen died. Victor Rasmussen, Aage Rasmussen and Erik Rasmussen took over management. The cooperation with Kaare Klint and Mogens Koch deepened in various ways.
Early 1950s
Arne Jacobsen commissioned a meeting table and interior for Rødovre Town Hall.
1955
Victor Rasmussen died. The company began production of tables and cabinets for the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under Paul Kjaerholm’s designs.
1956
Jørgen began as an apprentice carpenter at Wolffs Møbelsnedkeri.
1969
100th anniversary of the company.
1979
At the request of Erik Rasmussen, shares were sold to employee Helge Kurt Hansen, and Aage sold shares to his son Jørgen Rasmussen. Thus management passed to Rudolph Rasmussen and Helge Kurt Hansen.
1980
Due to redevelopment, Copenhagen Municipality ordered relocation from Nørrebrogade 45. Together with carpenter Torben Hansen they began work on wall-mounted shelving for Mogens Koch. Collaboration with Bernt Petersen began.
1981
Den Permanente closed. The company showroom began exhibiting furniture by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Christensen & Larsen, Søren Horn, Henning Jensen, I. Christiansen, A. J. Iversen, Niels Roth Andersen, PP Møbler, Fredericia Furniture, Carl Hansen & Søn, Fritz Hansen.
1982
Former US President Jimmy Carter visited the factory.
1986
With the closure of A. J. Iversen, manufacturing and sales were transferred to Rud. Rasmussen.
1994
125th anniversary celebrated.
1996
Helge Kurt Hansen retired. Jørgen’s sister Anne and his wife Elizabeth joined management.
2002
Founder’s daughters Kirsten and Maren entered the company.
2008
The Nørrebrogade 45 factory was designated by the Danish Heritage Agency as one of 25 national industrial heritage sites and the buildings on the site were recommended for preservation.
2011
Acquisition by Carl Hansen & Søn.
2012
Maren left the company.
2016
Production at Nørrebrogade 45 was terminated and moved to Funen.
Furniture
- Faaborg Chair
- Safari Chair
- Propeller Stool
- Deck Chair
- Red Chair Series
- Church Chair
- Mogens Koch Bookcase System
- Folding Chair
- Game Table
- Ladies Desk
- Cabinet Series
- Arne Jacobsen Table