An Arne Jacobsen Summerhouse

Series Cross-grip

Surface Polished chrome

Project Private, 1955

Architect Arne Jacobsen

Location Tisvilde, Denmark

Photographer Line Klein

Designed by legendary architect Arne Jacobsen in 1955, this iconic Tisvilde summer house marked a pivotal turning point in Danish 'midcentury' architecture. The summer house, characterised by its sharp, modular design, drew both praise and criticism for its groundbreaking simplicity and its quirky, asymmetrical roof — an unprecedented design feature for its time.

Works by iconic Bauhaus masters, including Marcel Breuer, served as inspiration for the house's modernist layout. Reduced to its simplest form, the project consists of a series of basic geometric shapes. The entire home is encased in a single, rectangular wooden box that hangs between two brick walls. Framed by ocean views on one side and a large backyard area on the other, the property is completed by a lush garden and apple orchard.

Inside the home, the colour palette is largely inspired by natural wood and complemented by bold yellow, orange, green and blue elements that are repeated throughout the house. The open kitchen and living room blend naturally and form the heart of the home.

The Cross-Handle faucets were installed during the current owner’s renovation in 2005 with the help of the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces. They were chosen for their near-indestructible quality and strong aesthetic ties to the project’s original building period.