The Klint Chair: An interview with professor Harlang

As a professor, Harlang not only works on preserving cultural heritage but also views it as a source of valuable knowledge and experience - much like Klint did when he co-founded the Furniture School at the Royal Danish Academy in 1924. Klint's consistent methodology, which he passed on to designers such as Børge Mogensen, Poul Kjærholm, and Mogens Koch, revolves around renewing tradition by learning from the past and developing it to meet new challenges.  

In terms of his design work, Harlang shares how he operates based on Klint's methodology for enhancing design. For him and Klint, it's not about introducing something groundbreaking to the world but improving existing principles to meet contemporary needs: "Kaare Klint's way of innovation directly inspires me. I find his ability to evolve, challenge, and sharpen through an understanding of the possibilities of tradition incredibly intriguing".  

Harlang highlights two central reasons why Klint's furniture has retained its relevance over time. Firstly, the timeless design of the furniture is deeply rooted in our cultural and traditional heritage, providing them with an immediate recognisability based on the simple fact of having seen them before. Secondly, Klint's furniture is highly refined, with carefully considered proportions and material quality at the highest level. This ability to combine recognisability, quality, and aesthetics makes Klint's furniture significant in our modern lives while contributing to the global recognition of Danish design.