Mogens Koch
Mogens Koch (1898–1992) was a leading figure in Danish furniture design, known for his uncompromising commitment to functionalism and a refined, enduring aesthetic. With a philosophy rooted in clarity, craftsmanship, and purpose, he helped shape Danish Modern principles. His work reflects a deep understanding of timeless design, created to last, support daily life, and bring understated elegance to the everyday.
He believed design was not a matter of style, but of necessity. Rather than seeking attention, he created furniture that addressed real needs with precision and thoughtfulness. He balanced function, materials, and proportion with a holistic mindset to achieve harmony.
Trained as an architect at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he graduated in 1925 and later returned as a professor, Koch belonged to a generation of designers who bridged theory and practice. From the outset of his career, Koch immersed himself in the ideals of functionalism. Between 1925 and 1932, he worked in the studios of Carl Petersen, Ivar Bentsen, and especially Kaare Klint, where he absorbed the principles of structure, simplicity, and standardisation, forming the foundation of his approach.
“ 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
Timeless functionalism
Koch’s designs are marked by quiet precision. Rather than seeking personal expression, he focused on refining form to its purest essence. Each piece was created with a clear function in mind and executed with meticulous attention to detail. The result is furniture that feels both enduring and adaptable.
In 1934, Koch established his studio with his cousin, Peter Koch. He worked across disciplines, including architecture, furniture, typography, and textiles. Alongside restoration work, Koch increasingly focused on furniture design, refining a functionalist approach that produced pieces defined by clarity, precision, and restraint.
He brought the same rigorous approach to architecture as furniture design. From 1950 to 1968, Koch served as professor of architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he influenced generations of Danish architects. He became particularly known for his work with church restoration, including his role as leading restoration architect for Roskilde Cathedral, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In transforming Frederiks Hospital into what is known as Designmuseum Denmark, he successfully united respect for the original structure with architectural renewal.
While often more discreet than contemporaries such as Hans J. Wegner, Børge Mogensen and Arne Jacobsen, Koch’s furniture stands among the finest expressions of Danish functionalism. His designs have quietly endured through decades, valued for their subtle presence, structural clarity and lasting relevance.
A modular masterpiece
Mogens Koch designed many of his furniture pieces in response to practical needs in his home, where space had to be used efficiently. This led to the creation of his iconic bookcases in 1928, a flexible and modular shelving concept designed to grow and adapt to the user’s needs. A system we at Fredericia are proud to carry forward today under the name MK Bookcase System.
Meet our designers
Since our foundation in 1911, we have built up a strong tradition of beautiful craftsmanship and innovative design, developed in close collaboration with a circle of internationally recognised designers.
