Furniture manufacturer OC (OneCollection), also known for the brand House of Finn Juhl, has recently undergone a visual rebranding and is now relaunching a series of modernist and brutalist furniture designed by the renowned Danish architectural studio Friis & Moltke.
The Nordsø Series was originally designed in 1976 and consists of benches, both with and without backrests, and long tables crafted from solid Nordic pine. Additionally, the minimalist Nørgaard Chair is being relaunched in stained and painted beech, with a seat woven in cord. The chair was designed in 1979, also by Friis & Moltke. Only FSC- and PEFC-certified wood is used for the furniture, which is made in Denmark at OC's own workshops in the cities of Vejen and Ringkøbing.
OC recently presented the powerful pieces by Friis & Moltke at the fair Trends & Traditions in Copenhagen.
In the Nordsø Series, form and material are united in the finest way through subtle details with soft, rounded edges that emphasise the craftsmanship behind it.
Since the 90s, OC has been launching furniture primarily from Danish designers and architects. The furniture company has specialised in projects both in Denmark and abroad and is now taking a new step when relaunching Friis & Moltke's solid 70s furniture, Nordsø and Nørgaard.
Friis & Moltke was founded in 1954 by Knud Friis & Elmar Moltke Nielsen. The two architects became known for their designs of private homes and large-scale buildings, such as hotels, schools, and cultural institutions. In the 60s, they introduced a Danish interpretation of brutalism, characterized by grand buildings in raw concrete that embed themselves into the surrounding landscape. Friis & Moltke's furniture, the Nordsø Series and the Nørgaard Chair, are designed to fit into the honest and uncompromising architecture that became their hallmark.
The Nordsø and Nørgaard furniture complement each other and evoke thoughts of the new social communities and sense of freedom of the 70s. Both designs are characterised by their simplicity, which demands high standards of the materials and craftsmanship.
The Nordsø Series features distinctive, sturdy pillar legs measuring 8 cm in diameter, and tabletops and seats with a thickness of 6 cm. Despite the massive design language, the expression is softened by the rounded edges. As a result of the delicately shaped details, the series is warm and elegantly refined, yet never pretentious.
While the Nordsø Series immediately commands attention with its impressive size, its true strength lies in its ability to create a welcoming space that encourages presence and conversation – whether in private homes, workplace settings, educational institutions, or restaurants.
Ivan Hansen, Co-founder of OC (OneCollection), says: 'Over the years, we have collaborated with the Friis & Moltke studio on various projects. Therefore, it feels both special and right for us to relaunch these pieces from the 70s, which we believe are more relevant than ever. The design language represents a step in a new and exciting direction for us, all while being fully in line with our vision to preserve the Danish design tradition and craftsmanship heritage. This is furniture where everything is stripped down to the essentials, and that is actually one of the most challenging aspects. It requires extremely high standards, both in terms of design and production, when the construction is so open and honest.'
Both Nordsø and Nørgaard are produced in native wood species from Northern Europe, ensuring the shortest possible distance to the Danish production.
Nørgaard is produced at OC's own workshop in the city of Vejen, Denmark, and is available with or without armrests. The chair is made of stained and painted FSC-certified beech from Northern Europe, with a seat woven in black or natural-coloured cord made from 90% recycled cotton.
More information:
OneCollection
www.onecollection.com
Friis & Moltke
www.friis-moltke.dk