Fredericia Furniture has unveiled a renewed focus on one of Denmark's most enduring design icons: Mogens Koch's MK Bookcase System. First created in 1928 as a practical storage solution for the architect's own home, the modular system is being reintroduced to a new generation of European design enthusiasts, emphasising its continued relevance almost a century after its conception.
© Fredericia
Mogens Koch (1898–1992), an architect trained under Kaare Klint and a contemporary of Børge Mogensen, developed a design philosophy rooted in functional necessity rather than stylistic expression. His approach balanced historical awareness with a precise understanding of materials, resulting in furniture that feels timeless rather than nostalgic. Fredericia highlights that Koch's work "does not reveal its age," reflecting his intent to create archetypal forms built for lasting, everyday use.
Koch's influence extended far beyond furniture. As a long-serving professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, formerly housed in Kunsthal Charlottenborg, he shaped generations of architects through a commitment to simplicity, craftsmanship and preservation. Fredericia's renewed storytelling initiative explores these foundations, inviting audiences to revisit Koch's studio and the environment that informed his meticulous approach.
At the centre of this rediscovery is the MK Bookcase System, hand-crafted at Fredericia's carpentry workshop. Known for its refined proportions and modular flexibility, the system remains adaptable to contemporary interiors, from private homes to curated retail and cultural spaces. Its construction reflects the principles of Danish Modern: honest materials, functional clarity and exceptional craftsmanship.
© FredericiaFredericia expands the narrative through a series of features, including a conversation with architect and professor Christoffer Harlang on the legacy of Klint and Koch, an interview with bookseller and design thinker Michael Bjørn Nellemann, and a curated reading list from creative professionals reflecting on literature as a catalyst for ideas.
Through this curated exploration, Fredericia positions the MK Bookcase System not simply as a historic design, but as an enduring tool for living, bridging past and present, and reaffirming the cultural significance of Koch's contribution to Danish design heritage.
More information:
Fredericia Furniture
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www.fredericia.com
