Creating harmonious spaces: A conversation with architect David Thulstrup

David Thulstrup, an acclaimed architect and designer, has made a significant impact on the world of architecture and design with his refined and holistic approach. Combining his Scandinavian heritage with a modern design language, Thulstrup's work spans residential architecture, restaurants, retail design, hotels, furniture design, and lighting design. As the founder and creative director of Studio David Thulstrup, he has garnered recognition for his innovative work and a penchant for setting new design benchmarks.

Thulstrup's portfolio boasts an impressive array of projects worldwide, with each undertaking demonstrating his unwavering commitment to excellence. Notably, his interior design of the iconic Noma restaurant in Copenhagen has not only garnered multiple awards but has also become an exemplar of seamless integration between elegant craftsmanship, comfort, and a strong sense of place, or 'stedsans' as expressed in Danish.

At the core of Thulstrup's practice lies a deep-rooted adherence to enduring Scandinavian values such as honesty and humanism, coupled with a keen focus on materiality. His design philosophy revolves around creating spaces that prioritise the well-being and emotions of the people who inhabit them. Taking a holistic approach to each project, Thulstrup ensures that his designs envelop individuals in a welcoming and comfortable environment. Crucially, he understands the significance of how a space will be used and lived in, designing from the inside out while thoughtfully incorporating elements such as light, colour, form, and materials as integral architectural components.

Thulstrup describes his style as "modern simplicity," characterised by pared-back designs that exude a timeless quality. This approach necessitates meticulous attention to detail, curiosity, and ambition. Thulstrup believes in using diverse materials in an authentic and thoughtful manner, prioritising functionality and tactility. To harmonise the architectural elements with the overall design, he often creates custom furniture and lighting solutions, allowing for a cohesive and immersive experience.

Educated at the prestigious Danish Design School, Thulstrup holds a Master's degree in Interior Architecture. As an Architect MAA and a member of the Danish Association of Architects, he brings a wealth of expertise and experience to his craft. Before establishing Studio David Thulstrup in 2009, he honed his skills working on residential, commercial, and institutional projects for renowned architects such as Jean Nouvel in Paris and Peter Marino in New York.

Today, Thulstrup leads a team of architects, interior designers, product designers, and material experts at his naturally lit industrial space in Amager, Copenhagen. Collaboratively, they bring his creative visions to life, infusing each project with a distinct sense of place and purpose. In this interview, we delve into the mind of David Thulstrup, exploring his design philosophy, his inspirations, and his vision for the future.

Zeynep Rekkali Jensen: When we look at the spaces you designed, we see geometry and minimalism, yet it comes together in a soft and calm undercurrent. Where does your aesthetic come from?

David Thulstrup: Minimalism is an important source of inspiration for me, and I respect the artists, designers, and architects who defined the movement. My aesthetic also comes from many years of training, testing, and creating works of architecture, furniture design and interior design. I always focus a great deal on materiality and I believe that materials need to be carefully orchestrated – but they also need to maintain their own presence within the composition. I have a material library consisting of around twelve tons of materials, and whether it’s a work of architecture, interior design, or product design, I select materials to find the perfect balance or juxtaposition, to both enhance the quality of each individual material and create a harmonious palette. This is an approach that I have honed over the years and is something that underpins all of my work.

Zeynep: In many of the interiors you create, we observe the bespoke furniture you design for each specific project, and I feel this makes your work more unique, with a Gesamtkunstwerk quality. How would you characterise the pros and cons of adding object design to your assignments? And could you give us a brief idea of the production process?

David: Bespoke furniture, which I often combine with carefully curated new and vintage furniture, is an important part of designing an interior and creating a relationship to the exterior and surrounding landscapes. I think the connection between the exterior and interior is important, and furniture can moderate this connection. On its own, of course, furniture should have a materiality that reflects its use and form and makes a meaningful connection to the interior as a whole. Bespoke furniture also opens up more possibilities for defining space, and I work carefully with the floor plan to maximise the potential for creating and defining spaces within larger spaces that are comfortable and beautiful. I always ask my clients to describe how they live, what is important to them and what they aspire to with their new project, so that the bespoke furniture can enrich the quality of their space and enhance their lives.

Zeynep: Talking about object design, you recently collaborated with Georg Jensen and created the centrepiece Penumbra. How did it evolve and how was it working with the world-famous silversmiths at Georg Jensen?

David: Ragnar Hjartason, who is the creative director at Georg Jensen, asked me if I would like to collaborate on a design for the company, and I instantly said yes. I knew that this would be a project that would involve a lot of fascinating research, the chance to work with the best silversmiths in the world, and the opportunity to contribute to an iconic brand in Danish design history that will stand the test of time. The silversmiths are extremely skilled and have now mastered the four months it takes to create Penumbra, from start to finish. It has been an interesting journey to work with Georg Jensen, beginning with researching in their archives, then designing the piece itself, and working with the silversmiths—every part of the process has been incredibly rewarding.

Zeynep: One last question, how does sustainability play a role in your projects and how do you see its place in the future of design?

David: Sustainability is an important part of all the projects that I do. Material selection, production methods and use are important questions that should influence everyone working in the field of design and architecture. We all have to make conscious and careful choices, and I think the industry is changing for the better. Nobody I know wants to do anything that could harm the environment. I strive to create spaces and objects that are well-crafted and will last for a lifetime. I am also fortunate to be able to work with world-class manufacturers and retailers who also care about the environment, so that across the industry, in the three fields I specialise in – architecture, interior and product design—I see a lot of improvement.