Hanne Kjærholm

Hanne Kjærholm (24 May 1930, Hjørring – 22 June 2009) was a Danish architect who also taught at the Danish Academy, where she became a professor in 1989. Kjærholm did much to overcome the barriers to women's architecture. She was one of the few women to have her own architecture studio.

Her works, though few, are noteworthy, designed in a modern style which draws on tradition. During her career, her buildings became ever more textural.

In 1988, she became the first woman to be awarded the Margot and Thorvald Dreyer Foundation's Architecture Prize. The following year she was the first woman to be appointed professor at the Academy's School of Architecture. She also served on many influential boards and committees.

Hanne Kjærhom grew up in a liberal home in Hjørring in the north of Jutland. After passing the school certificate at Hjørring Gymnasium in 1949, she spent a year at the Design School for Women (Tegne- og Kunstindustriskolen for Kvinder) hoping to become a fashion designer in Paris. After tiring of the prospect, she turned to architecture entering the Academy the following year and graduating in 1956. In 1953, while still at the Academy, she married Poul Kjærholm who became a successful furniture designer.

Apart from a project from 1957 to 1959 when she worked together with her husband on designing picnic areas with concrete tables and toilets for the country roads around Hjørring, Hanne worked essentially on her own. The couple did however sometimes cooperate as when they built their own home in Rungsted in 1962. Hanne designed the building while Povl took care of the interiors. The simple, quiet house has since become recognized as a classic.

Her design for a marina in Nivå (1968) brought her the Academy's small gold medal although she was the only woman among 18 participants.

In Nerja in the south of Spain, taking full account of local building traditions. she rebuilt and restored her own house in 1970 and, in 1976, undertook similar work on a house belonging to Knud W. Jensen, director of the Louisiana Museum.

In 1974, her interest in Japanese architecture was reflected in an extension to a house in Birkerød which was fitted with sliding doors and a large red sliding gateway.

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