FDB Møbler Presents the L46 Sofa and L45 Armchair by Mogens Koch

In 1947, Danish architect Mogens Koch designed a light, functionalist sofa as a special commission for Gammel Kjøgegaard, an estate near Køge in Denmark.

The postwar period opened space for new tendencies in form-making, and the restrained functionalism of this sofa stands as a clear expression of the design culture of that moment.

Mogens Koch FDB mobler 1

The L46 sofa — and its companion, the L45 armchair — are defined by a gently curved armrest and a frame that stands as an independent element beneath the upholstered body. This deliberate separation between frame and seat is characteristic of Koch’s approach: rather than hiding construction behind upholstery, he chose to expose the craftsmanship honestly. The result is a piece that reads clearly as a sum of well-made parts.

Both pieces are available through FDB Møbler, the Danish cooperative furniture manufacturer whose history is bound up with the idealistic project of producing well-designed, affordable furniture. Mogens Koch was an active participant in that development work — despite the fact that his pieces now command significant prices at auction, many were originally conceived with production economy and everyday use in mind.

Mogens Koch (1898–1992) trained as a building architect and later became a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He worked in Kaare Klint’s office until 1934, when he opened his own studio. His output ranged across furniture, architecture, typeface design, silver, and textiles. Among his most enduring works are the MK Folding Chair — designed in 1933 and produced from 1959 — and the bookcase system from 1928, celebrated for its modular logic and lasting relevance.

Images and content courtesy of FDB Møbler.

Mogens Koch's distinctive modular bookcase system now produced by Fredericia maintaining the Danish design icon's legacy

Mogens Koch (1898-1992)
Mogens Koch influential Danish architect and furniture designer, created timeless classics including his revolutionary modular bookcase (1928) and iconic folding chair (1932). After working with Kaare Klint, Koch established his own studio in 1934, developing furniture that perfectly balanced functionality, comfort, and aesthetics. His designs have been produced by Rud Rasmussen since 1932 and remain in production today. As a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1950-1968), Koch shaped Danish design while earning prestigious awards including the Eckersberg Medal and C.F. Hansen Medal.

Images and content courtesy of FDB Møbler.