Danish architect and designer Mette Schelde is the creative mind behind Fritz Hansen's award-winning MS Series. Schelde approaches design with a focus on simplicity, functionality, and beauty. For the MS Series, she sought to create lighting that feels both timeless and adaptable, blending architectural rigour with a warm, inviting ambiance. Her background in architecture informs her attention to detail and spatial awareness, which is evident in the refined, minimalist aesthetic of her work.
In an interview, she shares more about her captivating work:
Photo: Fritz Hansen.
Who has been most influential to your creativity?
'As an architect and designer, I stand on the shoulders of many great creatives. Some of the principles Arne Jacobsen and Poul Henningsen worked from during the mid-20th century have influenced my work, directly and indirectly. Their approach to function, but especially their knowledge and experience of the human senses – such as how they are affected by light.'
What is your design philosophy?
'I see furniture and lighting as small fragments of architecture: architecture is the framework and furniture and lighting are the scenery within. I believe that we can build on our design heritage to combine function and aesthetics with the possibilities offered by technological advancements. In this way, design reflects the present yet has roots in the past and an eye on the future.'
What influenced the style of the MS Series?
'I wanted a lamp head which, in all its simplicity, would emit optimal, glare-free task light on my desk while being small in size. Based on the movements of light waves, I designed the lamp head from a cylinder and a bowed circle united in one piece. The cylinder contains the LED light source and the circle forms the shade, which controls the direction of the light. The design is simple and functional and juxtaposes the stringency of the arm with the softness of the shade. That represents harmony to me, which is part of the series' DNA.'
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