Byggemøbler (Building block Furniture), Frits Schlegel, Fritz Hansen, 1932

Fritz Hansen and Frits Schlegel’s second major investment together (after a series of tubular steel furniture) was one whose concept was derived from the German Aufbaumöbel Series (Building Furniture) by Franz Schuster and Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky. Schlegel said of the concept: “The idea of the Byggemøbler  goes beyond the production of a few simple mobile elements that, through varying assemblies, give us the opportunity to use, and thereby cover the entire needs of the house. The countless variations give free hands for the personal wishes with regard to the rooms’ furnishings. […] the various elements have been given a simple form, [attuned] with the industrial manufacturing possibilities and only slightly stylized [to remain] as universal as possible”. They introduced the series at the Copenhagen Convention in July 1932, and were part of the company’s display at the Building and Housing Exhibition in Esbjerg in 1933. 

Made in birch wood that could be painted if required, stacked in height as well as extended in width. Various models were available: single cupboard doors, drawers, or open bookshelves. The pieces rest on bases, but some of the low variants at the time could also be obtained on low legs. Other variants included a writing desk and Schlegel even developed a module with formed built-in radio.  The series also included a dining table whose design unfortunately is not known or formerly recorded.

A set of three here: two cupboards with shelves in each, and a four drawer chest.

Condition:

Great condition, with cleaned and newly finished surface.

Literature:

Arkitekten Frits Schlegel, Vibeke Andersson Møller, Arkitektens Forlag, Copenhagen, 2003

Image:

‘Model photo of the construction series, 1932’