About
Lifespan: 1923–2005
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Manufacturers: Fredericia, Sika Design, Kvadrat, Georg Jensen
Story
Nanna Ditzel (1923–2005) was a Danish designer whose work crossed furniture, textiles, jewellery, and interior environments. Rather than limiting herself to one material or discipline, she experimented with rattan, laminated wood, silver, foam, fibreglass, colour, and new production techniques.
She entered the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen in 1943 and first exhibited at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition with Jørgen Ditzel in 1944. After graduating in furniture design in 1946, she married Jørgen and they established a joint studio. During the 1950s they developed rattan furniture, jewellery, and experimental furniture in new materials; in 1956 they received the Lunning Prize.
After Jørgen’s death in 1961, Nanna continued the studio independently. In the 1960s she explored furniture and spatial installations that encouraged less conventional ways of sitting, lying, and moving through space. In 1964–65 she designed Hallingdal, later one of Kvadrat’s best-known textiles.
In 1968 she married Kurt Heide and moved to London, where they established Interspace in 1970. Ditzel returned to Copenhagen in 1987 and entered another highly productive period, creating works including Bench for Two and the Trinidad Chair. Bench for Two received a gold medal at the International Furniture Design Competition in Asahikawa in 1990.
History & Works
1923 (0 years old)
Born on October 6 in Copenhagen.
1943 (20 years old)
Entered the furniture programme at the School of Arts and Crafts.
1944 (21 years old)
First exhibited with Jørgen Ditzel at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition.
1946 (23 years old)
Graduated, married Jørgen Ditzel, and established a joint design studio.
1956 (33 years old)
Received the Lunning Prize with Jørgen Ditzel.
1959 (36 years old)
Designed the Hanging Egg with Jørgen Ditzel.
1964–1965
(ages 41–42)
Designed the Hallingdal textile.
1968 (45 years old)
Married Kurt Heide and moved to London.
1970 (47 years old)
Established Interspace in London.
1987 (64 years old)
Returned to Copenhagen and established a studio in Klareboderne.
1990 (67 years old)
Bench for Two received a gold medal at the International Furniture Design Competition in Asahikawa.
1993 (70 years old)
Designed the Trinidad Chair.
2005 (81 years old)
Died on June 17 in Copenhagen.
Furniture
Hanging Egg
Toadstool
Bench for Two
Trinidad Chair
Hallingdal (textile)