Jørgen Kastholm and Preben Fabricius, FK84 Chair for Kill International

JØRGEN KASTHOLM (Denmark, 1931–2007) and PREBEN FABRICIUS (Denmark, 1931–1984) for Kill International.
Rare armchair, Model FK84, designed in 1968.
Chrome-plated steel frame with cushions in a patinated nature leather.
Chair with some signs of use due to age.
Produced by Kill International
Measurements: 84 x 70 x 67. Seat height: 44 cm.

Designed in 1968 by Jørgen Kastholm and Preben Fabricius for Kill International, the FK84 armchair combines the precision of its chrome-plated steel frame with the warmth of natural leather. The seat and backrest, separated from one another, lend the chair a lighter profile, while the angular armrests and the base with casters define its functional character. Its relevance to 21st-century design lies in how it brings together comfort, mobility, and a refined presence—a combination well-suited to spaces where work and home life coexist. In this particular piece, the patina of the leather also lends it a unique identity and allows one to appreciate how the material evolves with use.

The collaboration between Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm took place between 1961 and 1968 and brought together two complementary backgrounds: Fabricius came from cabinetmaking, and Kastholm from metalwork. Both shared an interest in creating furniture with clean lines, comfortable and stripped down to its essential elements, combining Danish craftsmanship with Bauhaus influences. They worked as a team: they exchanged and revised the designs until it became difficult to distinguish each one’s individual contribution. Following their initial designs in wood, they developed furniture made of steel and leather—materials that characterized much of their work for Kill International. The precision of the structures and the attention to detail on contact surfaces allowed them to combine visual lightness with comfort. Although they went their separate ways in 1968, their collaborative work remains relevant to 21st-century design because of the way it integrates construction, materials, and comfort into a sober and durable form.