Arne Vodder

Arne Vodder (1926 – 2009) was a renowned Danish furniture designer and architect. He was trained by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder at the school of interior design in the mid-1940s. He further graduated as an architect in 1947 at Kunstakadamiet in Copenhagen, with Finn Juhl as professor and mentor. Finn Juhl later became his friend and business partner.

After graduation, Vodder started as an architect at Hindsgaul in Copenhagen and worked on various design assignments, focusing primarily on office decor. In 1951, he opened his own design studio with the architect Anton Borg. Together they designed over 1,000 low-cost houses which proved to be a great success.

By the late 1950s, furniture had become Vodder’s focus, he worked with several of Denmark’s leading furniture makers. His designs for Fritz Hansen, Vamo, Sibast, France & Son and several other companies lead to highly successful designs that would define the Danish modern aesthetic during the mid-20th century.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Vodder worked with the furniture company Sibast on several ranges of office furniture which did particularly well on the international market. His furniture was used in the White House by American President Jimmy Carter and by Libyan leader Muannar Gadafi. It could also be seen in banks, airline offices, embassies, and hotels across the globe.

Arne Vodder's contribution to Danish modern design is significant and continues to be celebrated today.