Simon Legald, the creative force behind best-selling designs like the Form Chair, Bit Stool, and Block Table, works as Head of Design at the Danish brand Normann Copenhagen. Design Stories sat down with Simon to chat about his journey and the creative process behind these beloved pieces – join us for an exclusive look into his world!
Hi Simon! How have you been, and what projects have been keeping you busy lately?
“Hi! I’m doing well, thank you. Lately, I’ve been focusing on renovating my summer house, originally designed by Danish architect Bent Rohde in 1963. It’s located in Lumsås near Sejerø Bay in the northwest of Denmark’s Zealand region – a beautiful and peaceful spot.
This summer, I embarked on building a new kitchen for the house using solid pine wood – sourced from Finland, actually! The hands-on experience has been immensely rewarding, and I’ve really enjoyed watching everything gradually come together.”
A bunch of your latest work was presented during the 3 Days of Design in June. Our team was particularly taken with the new Tube Lounge Chair. Could you tell us more about its design and aesthetics?
“The Tube Lounge Chair is quite a classic piece when you look at the seat and the upholstery itself. What gives it a contemporary twist, however, are the legs. They’re over-dimensioned in a way that makes the chair visually striking. The use of stainless steel, especially at this scale, isn’t something you often see in furniture design.
The material gives the chair a unique glow that’s distinct from what you’d get with wood. There’s also a playful element in its geometry – the proportions are intentionally off, which makes it visually intriguing and adds a sense of playfulness to the overall design.”
How did you first get into product design?
“I’ve always enjoyed creating things, especially working with my hands. To be honest, it could have just as easily been art or carpentry. I ended up in product design because it’s a field where you must consider proportions and guidelines – there are certain boundaries you work within. For example, furniture must be designed in relation to the human body’s specific dimensions. At the same time, there’s a vast range of materials, which means you’re always learning something new. That blend of structure and freedom appealed to me.
I started at Normann Copenhagen after working in their store while studying furniture design. At a Christmas party in 2009, I think it was, I asked why the brand didn’t have a design studio. I showed Jan and Poul, the co-founders and CEOs, some of my work, and shortly after the new year began, I started an internship with Normann. During that time, I designed the Block Table and the Amp Lamp.”
“Getting the chance to create something that not many have attempted before, that’s what’s truly exciting.”
How has your work evolved over the years?
“I’ve been with Normann Copenhagen for 15 years now. Over time, I’ve become less afraid of making mistakes, which has allowed me to challenge things more and take bigger risks. I find it most exciting when we challenge existing materials, like I did with the Bit collection or as Peter Hiort Lorenzen did with the Mat Chair he designed for Normann Copenhagen.
With the experience I’ve gained, I’m better at analyzing what works and what doesn’t. My sense of proportion has evolved, and I have a more natural, intuitive understanding of how things come together. Nothing feels static to me – there are material limitations, but you can often push them, though some constraints can’t be changed. My understanding of how materials and proportions work together has definitely shifted over the years.”
Who makes up the design team at Normann Copenhagen?
“The design team at Normann Copenhagen mainly consists of myself and Yuchen Wu. Yuchen interned with us about seven years ago, and a few years ago, when we needed a full-time designer, I asked if she’d like to return – luckily, she agreed. We complement each other well. I’m strong in the technical aspects, production, and understanding proportions, while Yuchen excels at visualizations, an area where she’s much more skilled than I am. It’s a great collaboration. We also often have interns in the studio, which brings fresh perspectives to our work.”
“My goal is to create products that are both visually and functionally enduring, ones that hold up well over the years.”
What do all the products you’ve designed have in common?
“I prefer to stay dynamic and evolving rather than sticking to a static design approach. While you might recognize certain elements from my past work, I am constantly challenging forms and materials. My designs range from brutalist to geometric and organic, reflecting a variety of perspectives.
For example, the Bit collection and the Form Chair both use plastic, but their forms and expressions are quite different. I aim for my designs to represent our current era while referencing classic elements and archetypes within their categories. Danish furniture culture is constantly evolving, and I see my designs in the same light – developing over time.”
You mentioned the Bit family – it’s one of your latest hits, and now there’s also a lounge chair in the series. What was your vision behind the Bit collection?
“The Bit collection features very simple geometric forms to highlight the material. The design is almost naive and childlike but refined, allowing the material to take center stage. The goal was to create something exciting and valuable using recycled materials. I’m very excited about turning something that’s essentially trash into something that, for many people, is something they treasure.”
Sustainability is becoming a core element of the entire design process. How has this shift influenced your work?
“Sustainability has always been central to our work. We’ve focused on designing products with interchangeable components that can be recycled, and this mindset has been integral from the start. We’re continually exploring new methods and materials, but it’s crucial to have existing production techniques to make these innovations affordable.
The goal is to create items that last for generations, moving away from the throwaway culture. I think one major challenge is that producing furniture in small volumes makes it difficult to use innovative materials affordably.”
“We need to find production techniques that balance sustainability with cost.”
It’s safe to say that you are an incredibly productive designer. Have you ever counted how many different products you’ve designed over the years?
“I’ve never actually counted all the products I’ve designed, so that’s a good question! One of my clear favorites is the Form Chair. Its adaptability to various scenarios makes it a fantastic product. It was also my graduation project at the Royal Danish Academy of Design, so there’s a bit of nostalgia and personal attachment that makes Form especially dear to me.”
What does your own home look like?
“I live in Frederiksberg, an area very central to Copenhagen. I collect figures from various cultures, such as Mesoamerican and African, which I find visually captivating and unique. My apartment, a 1930s building, has been fully renovated by myself, including pine flooring, a custom-built stainless-steel kitchen and new bathroom. I have several of my own designs at home, including the Bit Stool, Drape Lounge Chair, Cellu Table Lamp, and Tap Stools.”
The word is out that you’ve lately taken an interest in gardening!
“That’s true! I primarily focus on gardening at my summerhouse. There, I am fortunate have a favorite 300-year-old oak tree. I also adore pine, both for furniture and the tree itself. I’ve planted around 40 on my property! I also really like agrimonies, a wild-growing plant that supports biodiversity and attracts bees and butterflies. Ferns are another favorite of mine, and I also have an old butterfly bush called Buddleja Weyeriana Sungold with yellow, round flowers which I love.”
“Cycling is a great way to enjoy Copenhagen’s unique cityscape and waterways.”
We also heard that cycling is close to your heart. Aside from your commute, what kind of bike ride would you recommend in Copenhagen?
“I highly recommend cycling to Christianshavn, one of the older parts of Copenhagen. It’s a wonderful area to explore by bike, especially because of the bike bridges that cross the canal and offer a unique perspective of the city. On a warm summer evening, the light over the harbor is special.”
Simon Legald’s TOP 3 favorites:
- 1. Restaurant? “My friend owns (in my opinion) one of the best restaurants in Copenhagen, Donda, which is located in the Christianshavn area. I’m also always a fan of a good, classic Danish hotdog from one of the many stands around town. The best one is by Frederiksberg Garden’s main entrance.”
- 2. Movie or series? “For series, I quite enjoyed Succession. For movies, I loved Ex Machina but I’m also excited to see a movie called The Substance by Coralie Fargeat.”
- 3. Scent? “Freshly cut pine!”
Simon Legald’s designs
See also:
• All Simon Legald's designs >
• All products by Normann Copenhagen >
Text: Mikko Vaija Images: Normann Copenhagen