A Tribute to Jørgen Rasmussen, 1931-2024

Celebrating the Legacy of a Danish Architect and Designer

Montana Furniture honours the life and legacy of Jørgen Rasmussen, a pioneering Danish architect and designer whose work has shaped modern design for generations. Jørgen, who passed away peacefully on 23 October 2024 at the age of 93, is celebrated for his innovative approach to form and function. Montana Furniture is proud to carry forward his legacy by manufacturing his most iconic creation, the Kevi chair series, which remains a symbol of Danish craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

After graduating as an architect from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1955, Jørgen Rasmussen, along with his twin brother Ib, established an architectural practice in 1957, focusing on single-family houses. This led to a collaboration with Kevi A/S in 1958, when they were invited to design a villa for Kevi’s CEO, Bent Harlang. The project opened the door to furniture design, with Jørgen taking on the task that led to the creation of the Kevi chair. This multipurpose work chair quickly gained popularity in homes and offices in the 1960s. Designed with a deep understanding of human ergonomics, the Kevi chair included flexible back support and height adjustability, pioneering ergonomic design that would transform workplaces, schools, institutions, and home offices.

A major milestone in Jørgen Rasmussen’s career came in 1965 when he invented the Kevi double-wheel castor – a groundbreaking design for which he was awarded the prestigious ID Prize. This innovative castor positioned two wheels asymmetrically, allowing independent rotation and “reinventing the wheel”. The Kevi castor was not only transformative for the office environment, improving working conditions worldwide, but it also achieved global acclaim and recognition, becoming a staple in furniture design. In 2006, it was included in the Danish Cultural Canon – a national collection of significant works of Danish art and culture.

Reflecting on Jørgen Rasmussen’s legacy, Montana Furniture’s CEO, Joakim Lassen, shares: “In 2007, the Kevi design was acquired by the Danish company Engelbrechts, and with Montana Furniture’s acquisition of Engelbrechts in 2021, we were honoured to bring this influential design into our collection. For generations, the Kevi chair has been a beloved icon, and Jørgen was always so modest and understated about his achievements. Growing up in the 1960s, I remember sitting on the child-sized Kevi chair – it was a staple in my early life. Bringing Kevi into the Montana family was personally meaningful, allowing us to continue sharing Jørgen’s vision with new generations.”

In his passing, Montana Furniture remembers Jørgen Rasmussen as a humble, visionary designer whose influence reaches far beyond his work. We celebrate his life and legacy with a commitment to the principles he embodied: a dedication to quality, an unwavering focus on the user experience, and a passion for timeless, elegant design.

Jørgen Rasmussen leaves behind five children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His vision and impact will live on, inspiring new generations in Denmark and beyond.