Nicolai de Gier is an associate professor at the Institute of Design and Communication within the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture.

In his research Nicolai de Gier focuses in particular on chairs from the modernist golden age of Danish furniture design in the middle of the 20th century and on why many of these designs remain as current as they do.

Based on his studies and knowledge of the production and market conditions surrounding furniture design, Nicolai de Gier sees a potential for Danish furniture design. Architectural methodologies and professional knowledge developed over the course of centuries formed the basis for the golden age and reached new levels of sophistication during this period. This professionalism is still present in Danish furniture design culture today, says Nicolai de Gier, and the potential may be unfolded if furniture designers bring the tradition’s professional knowledge into play and develop it in relation to current and future challenges. Much of this knowledge has not been articulated, however, as it was passed from teachers to students in an apprenticeship approach. By making parts of this tacit knowledge accessible Nicolai de Gier aims to contribute to the foundation of future-oriented developments in Danish furniture design.

50-100 years ago, master cabinetmakers played a crucial role in the development of furniture. Today, new materials, new production methods, digital technologies and globalisation have created new challenges and possibilities. New ways of working, new family patterns and altered perceptions within, for example, education or the healthcare sector may also spark new demands to furniture design. For example, new teaching methods have sparked a need for flexible/multi-functional furniture for Danish schools.

Despite the rapid rate of change, tradition continues to hold essential qualities that are worth bringing into the future. In relation to Nicolaj de Gier's specialty, chairs, this is partly based on the fact that some of the factors guiding chair design remain quite stable – including the proportions of the human body.

Danish Modern, as modernist Danish furniture is also labelled, has been the object of numerous studies and treatises. Most of them, however, have applied the perspective of art history and/or the era’s cultural, sociological and political trends. With his architect’s background Nicolai de Gier takes a much closer look at the actual designs. In connection with design and aesthetics he takes a detailed look at construction aspects. That makes his research findings particularly relevant to future furniture designers.

As part of the effort to systematise his findings Nicolai de Gier has established a number of typologies, including a classification of joint types. In the construction of chairs joints are of crucial technical and aesthetic importance. Until now, results from Nicolai de Gier’s research have been presented, among other places, in the book Stolens Tektonik (in Danish Only) and its sequel Chair’s Tectonics (in English).

Nicolai de Gier graduated as an architect from Furniture and Room at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in 1997. Prior to his architectural degree he completed his training as a cabinetmaker in 1988.