Famous Interior Designers Series - Verner Panton

Verner Panton, born on 5th September 1926, was a famous Danish architect and designer. He is regarded one of the most influential interior and furniture designers of the twentieth century to come from Denmark. Verner Panton completed his education as an architectural engineer in Odense and then studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen where he completed his graduation on 1951.

The primary feature of his work is his style that was characteristic of the 1960’s, but is nevertheless popular even today. In his career, Verner Panton was able to create most modern and futuristic designs with different materials, particularly plastics, and by applying vivid colors. Although having traditional Danish roots, Panton like his other Danish counterparts, followed a different approach to his designs.

The most striking examples of Verner Panton’s architectural designs include a collapsible house in 1955, the Cardboard House and the Plastic House (both in 1960). Panton, with his creative thinking and exploration of the available new technologies of the post-war era, had created a totally different design world with his use of unconventional materials such as plastics, fiberglass, steel, foam rubber, etc.

Verner Panton had created unique designs in building just like his furniture designs. For decorating the interiors he had made use of curved furniture, wall upholstery, textiles and lighting. He used bright colors in order to create an attractive look for each room.

Panton has completed a number of well known projects and he is popular for his design of the interiors of a German ship, which is a famous museum today. Another prestigious work is that of a hotel in Europe made up of circular patterns as well as cylindrical furniture. Panton had also displayed his innovation in the design of ‘Der Spiegel’, the well known German publication house in Hamburg. Panton, in order to achieve his aim to produce holistic designs and to overcome the traditional division of room into three distinct groups as the floor, ceiling and walls had made use of different colors and patterns and other materials including wall casings.

In addition to his resourcefulness, Panton always maintained an organized approach in the design field throughout his life. He never limited his area of activity to the design of single objects, but always expanded to the creation of furnishings as well as the design of the entire space provided. Verner Panton’s design of chairs without legs and perceptible back became popular towards the end of 1950’s. Panton was considered the first designer who had a created a form-moulded chair in plastic without joints. He was honored with many awards for his extraordinary talents and skill. He passed away on 5th September 1998.