Carl Malmsten

Carl Malmsten

Carl Malmsten (1888–1972) was a Swedish furniture designer, architect, and educator who was known for his devotion to traditional Swedish craftmanship (slöjd) and his opposition to functionalism.[1] He "considered the rationalization of the home according to functionalist principles a debasement of its traditional role as an intimate place for gathering and repose".[2]

Career

Malmsten's career took off when he won a competition in 1916 to design furniture for the Stockholm City Hall (stadshus); in 1917, he exhibited alongside well-known Swedish architects such as Gunnar Asplund and Uno Åhrén.[2]

In the 1920s he was invited to furnish a room for the crown prince, Gustaf VI Adolf, and his wife Louise in Ulriksdal Palace.[3]

He was honoured with an inaugural Prince Eugen Medal for design in 1945.[4]

Legacy

Malmsten has had a lasting influence on Swedish furniture design through the two schools he founded—the Carl Malmsten Furniture Studies, which has been a part of Linköping University since 2000, is situated on the island of Lidingö on the outskirts of Stockholm. The school had been situated in the city centre until 2009.

Malmsten's second school, Capellagården, is located on the island of Öland in Vickleby. It offers courses in textile craft and design, cabinet making, furniture design, interior carpentry, ceramics, and organic horticulture.[5]

Malmsten was the paternal grandfather of author Bodil Malmsten.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Carl Malmsten". About Carl. Malmstenbutiken. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lucy Creagh, Helena Kåberg, Barbara Miller Lane, ed. (2008). Modern Swedish Design Theory: Three Founding Texts. New York, NY: The Museum of Modern Art. pp. 130, 341. ISBN 978-0870707223.
  3. ↑ "Ulriksdal Palace open for Group Visits Year Round". 9 March 2012.
  4. ↑ "Prins Eugen Medaljen". Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Courses". Capellagården.