Creating an archetype
Mogens Koch (1898–1992) never sought the spotlight. Yet his work has quietly and enduringly shaped the landscape of Danish design. Trained as an architect, he brought the same rigour to furniture as he did to buildings: every element refined, every gesture purposeful. His designs resist spectacle. Instead, they serve. Elegant in their restraint, enduring in their relevance.
Koch’s philosophy was never about style, but about necessity. With an unwavering dedication to function, craftsmanship, and quiet precision, he helped articulate the values that would come to define Danish Modern. His approach offers a lens through which to see functionalism not as austere or clinical, but as deeply human, rooted in daily life, care, and thoughtful use.
With furniture, Mogens Koch challenged our sense of time, because his designs do not reveal their age. By combining historical knowledge with a deep interest in materials and construction, he arrived at furniture designs that have the character of an archetype.
“ The greatest purity of form is revealed in the everlasting, liberated from passing trends. This is why the simplest thing, like the bookcase system is forever contemporary. ”
Mogens Koch
Foundations of a functionalist
Beneath the eaves of Kunsthal Charlottenborg – formerly home of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts – Mogens Koch subtly shaped the future of Danish architecture and design. As a professor, craftsman, and devoted functionalist, he spent nearly two decades nurturing a philosophy of simplicity, precision, and preservation. His office, brimming with drawings, books, and precisely chosen materials, mirrored both his deep engagement and the years he spent refining his craft.
Koch’s approach to architecture and furniture design was firmly grounded in the principles of Danish functionalism. He believed every element should serve a clear purpose, with form naturally emerging from function.
His foundational principles were shaped through collaborations with key figures such as Carl Petersen, Ivar Bentsen, and Kaare Klint, with whom he worked closely in their studios. Klint's advocacy for simplicity and standardised solutions made a lasting impression, significantly influencing Koch’s own functionalist philosophy.
A modular masterpiece
The MK Bookcase System was born from necessity. Mogens Koch sought a practical solution for storing books of varying heights, a universal dilemma, suited to dynamic domestic spaces. His answer was as elegant as it was intelligent: a modular square unit with six compartments, allowing configurations to be changed simply by repositioning. With no moving parts, the design remains as intuitive today as it was nearly a century ago. Koch reduced the thickness of each shelf and side panel to its absolute minimum to maximise storage capacity. Only the finest solid wood could meet such demands. From the first model in 1928, Koch went on to develop the system further until 1962, guided by the ambition to create a design capable of meeting all requirements. Over the decades, the MK Bookcase has earned its status as a valuable family heirloom, passed on through generations. Koch believed that the purest forms are those that transcend fleeting fashions. This is why the simplest thing, like a well-crafted bookcase, is forever contemporary.
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Preserving a legacy
Since his father’s passing in 1992, Mogens Svend Koch has dedicated himself to preserving and sharing the legacy of his father, the esteemed Danish architect and designer Mogens Koch. Through his efforts, he safeguards an extensive archive of Koch’s designs – works that continue to inspire contemporary design and thought.
Original sketches, prototypes, and furniture from Mogens Koch's original studio are all cherished in the hands of his son. Even the original box of index cards containing Mogens Koch's furniture designs is meticulously organised by category. Each card bears handwritten product details, accompanied by a small sketch of the design - drawn by Mogens Koch himself, showcasing his precise and structured approach.
Keep exploring
Through a series of stories, we honour the legacy of Danish architect Mogens Koch by revisiting one of his most iconic creations, and the latest addition to our collection of Danish heritage design, the MK Bookcase System. Originally designed in the 1920s as a solution for storing books and materials, the system’s timeless proportions, refined craftsmanship, and flexible modularity continue to resonate today.
To celebrate this enduring classic, we have curated a series of stories exploring Mogens Koch’s contributions, from his years as a professor shaping generations of architects, to the cultural rituals of reading, collecting and displaying the books that the bookcases were designed to hold.
Michael Bjørn Nellemann: The Last Maximalist
We caught up with Michael Bjørn Nellemann among the shelves of his private library for a conversation about literature, architecture and Danish design.
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