The light desk suits compact homes and offices in need of a minimalist and functional design
Carl Hansen & Son has partnered with award-winning Danish designer and cabinetmaker Anker Bak to create a slimline wall-mounted desk for the modern home. The AB019 Wall Desk is inspired by Bak’s experiences of compact living and his many visits to Japan. The desk is pared back to the bare essentials and consists of a slim tabletop, made from oak or laminate, and stainless-steel wall mounts.
“There is a lack of compact, high-quality furniture on the market. At the same time, the way we work has changed, with more people working from home,” says Bak. “I work a lot in Japan, and even there, a very tradition-bound country, working from home is becoming more accepted. It is important that our homes remain aesthetically pleasing, even when they also serve as workplaces.”
The desk’s design embraces a minimalist aesthetic, showcasing beautiful yet functional details, such as the tabletop’s rounded edge that serving as a comfortable armrest. An optional drawer made from solid oak mirrors the organic, tactile design language of the desk and can either be fitted underneath the tabletop or positioned on top, doubling as a laptop stand.
“The design has been kept minimal, especially the tabletop, which I designed to be as light and simple as possible,” says Bak. “At the same time, it carries the classic expression that Carl Hansen & Son is known for. Materials are important, so I worked with a mix of wood and stainless steel, and even small details like the drawer handle reference a more classical look. Another important point is the visibility of the construction. For example, in the drawer, the frame that supports it is exposed, so you clearly understand how it is built. This way of showing every detail rather than concealing it is an essential part of the classic tradition.”
Bak’s furniture testifies to a deep respect for high quality and skilled craftsmanship, which makes this design collaboration a natural fit for both him and the storied company. “We share the same values in aesthetics, construction methods and quality,” he says. “I am a trained cabinetmaker as well as a designer, and it is easy to see that Carl Hansen & Son has a heritage of working with great architects and designers who were also craftsmen. This tradition lives on today, and it creates a strong mutual understanding in the way that we work together, which I value highly.”
Image Courtesy of Carl Hansen & Son
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